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ryan brown: dog trainer

I have a small, exclusive dog training business based in Hamilton, Ontario. My goal is to help owners achieve the well-balanced, behaved and fulfilled dogs they deserve by increasing their knowledge and leadership skills. I do this by keeping my client base small in order to maintain a close relationship with the owners and their dogs.  

I have been training my own dogs for more than two decades. Several years ago I decided to make a career change to a life working with dogs and their owners to help bring balance to their relationships. I am a graduate of The Ferndog Trainer Academy and went on to increase my understanding of canines with an apprenticeship under Dave McMahon at his training academy in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I study the methods of the top dog trainers around the world and continue to improve my methodology. I am a certified Master Dog Trainer as well as a member of the International Association Of Canine Professionals. I am fully insured through ProFur, bonded and Pet First Aid Certified through St. John's Ambulance. I am the owner and sole trainer of my own private training business: The Dog Philosofur. I specialize in canine behavioral rehabilitation through private, in-home, one on one training with clients for a range of skills and issues. These range from novice & advanced obedience, off-leash training, advanced low-level e-collar training and behavioral modification of a wide range of canine issues.

Dog training philosophy

My dog training philosophy is based on leadership with a focus on consistency, structure and routine.  The techniques used have been tested and proven to be effective and humane to dogs. My first concern is always for the well-being of the dog, as well as its success in becoming a trusted, obedient member of its family. I used a balanced approach to dog training which means the program will consist of praise using food rewards, verbal and physical praise, toy rewards but also correcting unwanted behavior. Corrections may come in many forms: sound stimulus (verbal “no”, pet corrector, boat air horn, etc) tactile (water bottle, leash and training collar, e-collar) or withholding rewards (toys or treats until behavior is corrected).

Dog training like all things in life needs both the yin and yang to be successful. Unwanted behaviors cannot be diminished or extinguished without feedback for the dog to understand to stop. Once the unwanted behavior has been identified and corrected a wanted or acceptable behavior is taught and rewarded. Corrections are always on-time, fair and to the lowest level possible to induce a behavioral change. Praise is immediately given when a desired behavior is demonstrated.

I do not use or advocate for any form of physical correction such as using your hand, feet or object (such as a rolled towel) to “correct” a dog’s behavior. This can create a dog that is fearful or mistrustful of its owner.

I do use food rewards in training, but it is not to bribe the dog into a behavior. Food is used to lure a dog into a new behavior or as a randomized reward to strengthen known commands.

Real dog training, real results.