| "Dogs DO NOT follow a LOVEABLE Leader, they follow calm assertive leaders. Only humans follow unstable leaders." Cesar Millan |
ABOUT US
An exercise program on television provided Denise Collins
with her first mentor. "Jack La Lanne, the #1 fitness TV
personality of the time, shaped my life in two ways. He
created a passion in me for exercise and nutrition and a
love of dogs. Jack would end his show by bringing out his
three white German Shepherds. I remember vividly, even at
four years old, watching every move those dogs made. My
first dog was a German Shepherd. As a teenager, I
regularly attended obedience classes with her. I have done
extensive training and competed in obedience trials with my
dog Darla, a 13 year old American Staffordshire Terrier,
now retired. From 2002-2006, I assisted Laura Enos, in her
group classes, at Laura For Dogs in Walnut Creek.
What interests me most is the science behind dog
behavior. I have read all the top behaviorist’s books.
I have trained with:
Linn Boyke, ZEN4K9s, the man to whom Cesar Milan is
referring his clients;
Martin Deeley, President of the International Association of
Canine Professionals, who wrote the forward to Cesar
Millan's book Cesar's Way, in his E-Touch training method;
Marc Goldberg, Vice President of IACP, in his Force Free
Method;
I have also trained with Monty Roberts, The Horse
Whisperer in his Join-Up method.
I regularly attend conferences and seminars on dog
behavior, nutrition, training, aggression, and I am a member
of the International Association of Canine Professionals."
with her first mentor. "Jack La Lanne, the #1 fitness TV
personality of the time, shaped my life in two ways. He
created a passion in me for exercise and nutrition and a
love of dogs. Jack would end his show by bringing out his
three white German Shepherds. I remember vividly, even at
four years old, watching every move those dogs made. My
first dog was a German Shepherd. As a teenager, I
regularly attended obedience classes with her. I have done
extensive training and competed in obedience trials with my
dog Darla, a 13 year old American Staffordshire Terrier,
now retired. From 2002-2006, I assisted Laura Enos, in her
group classes, at Laura For Dogs in Walnut Creek.
What interests me most is the science behind dog
behavior. I have read all the top behaviorist’s books.
I have trained with:
Linn Boyke, ZEN4K9s, the man to whom Cesar Milan is
referring his clients;
Martin Deeley, President of the International Association of
Canine Professionals, who wrote the forward to Cesar
Millan's book Cesar's Way, in his E-Touch training method;
Marc Goldberg, Vice President of IACP, in his Force Free
Method;
I have also trained with Monty Roberts, The Horse
Whisperer in his Join-Up method.
I regularly attend conferences and seminars on dog
behavior, nutrition, training, aggression, and I am a member
of the International Association of Canine Professionals."
| Denise Collins Behavior Coach 925-285-9194 denise@italkdog.com |
Jack La Lanne and Happy
Lucky
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Cowboy
THE ORINDA NEWS
February 19, 2008
I Talk Dog
Denise Collins has 14 years of experience as
a dog behavior training expert, and last year,
established her own dog training business, I
Talk Dog, here in Orinda. “I like to go into
people’s homes and help them understand
why their dogs do what they do.
I also train the dog, although often it is
something in the owner’s behavior that is
creating problems with the dog. I assist
owners in understanding their dog’s
language, and I help them understand why
the behavior is happening and what they can
February 19, 2008
I Talk Dog
Denise Collins has 14 years of experience as
a dog behavior training expert, and last year,
established her own dog training business, I
Talk Dog, here in Orinda. “I like to go into
people’s homes and help them understand
why their dogs do what they do.
I also train the dog, although often it is
something in the owner’s behavior that is
creating problems with the dog. I assist
owners in understanding their dog’s
language, and I help them understand why
the behavior is happening and what they can
do to correct it,” says Collins. Collins works with al breeds, from Great Danes to Chihuahuas, and offers several
different training programs. The first critical period is at 8 to 12 weeks of age when a critical period is at 8 to 12 weeks of
age when a puppy needs to socialize and investigate its environment. House training occurs within this time frame.
Collins highly recommends crate training. “Dogs view the crate as their den and under no circumstance will a dog ever
foul its own den. This is the best method for house training a puppy,” explains Collins. When a puppy reaches four to six-
months of age Collins likes to begin leash and manners training. “A six-foot leash is all that is necessary because a dog
must be either beside or behind a human in order for the human to maintain the leadership position. Dogs know only two
positions -leader or follower - and they do not like being the leader. I always encourage use of a six-foot leash in order
for humans to maintain the leadership role that is so essential,” says Collins. It is important to continually reinforce
manners training through the first two years of a puppy’s life. “I am very excited to offer a two-week boarding school
training at my home in Orinda. During these training sessions, I teach the dog to come when called both on and off
leash, to follow the commands of sit, down, stay, and walk (on loose leash), and to pay attention to you on command. At
the end of two weeks, I spend 90 minutes to teach the owner what I have taught the dog in order to reinforce and
maintain consistent behavior for the dog,” explains Collins. There is a “drop and train” option available. This involves
teaching leash manners during two to three-hour classes over a period of five consecutive days. Lastly, Collins will come
to the owner’s home for a one-hour session once a week for four weeks. “Another service I offer is to help choose a pet
for you and your family. I have often seen people select an animal on impulse instead of taking the breed into
consideration. For example, a border collie needs a job and a mental challenge, so that breed is appropriate for certain
circumstances,” she says. Collins is married to David Collins, a painting contractor. The couple has lived in Orinda for 14
years and their sons, Tyler and Brody, are Miramonte High School graduates. For more information about I Talk Dog,
visit the website at www.italkdog.com, call Denise Collins at 285-9194, or email denise@italkdog.com.
different training programs. The first critical period is at 8 to 12 weeks of age when a critical period is at 8 to 12 weeks of
age when a puppy needs to socialize and investigate its environment. House training occurs within this time frame.
Collins highly recommends crate training. “Dogs view the crate as their den and under no circumstance will a dog ever
foul its own den. This is the best method for house training a puppy,” explains Collins. When a puppy reaches four to six-
months of age Collins likes to begin leash and manners training. “A six-foot leash is all that is necessary because a dog
must be either beside or behind a human in order for the human to maintain the leadership position. Dogs know only two
positions -leader or follower - and they do not like being the leader. I always encourage use of a six-foot leash in order
for humans to maintain the leadership role that is so essential,” says Collins. It is important to continually reinforce
manners training through the first two years of a puppy’s life. “I am very excited to offer a two-week boarding school
training at my home in Orinda. During these training sessions, I teach the dog to come when called both on and off
leash, to follow the commands of sit, down, stay, and walk (on loose leash), and to pay attention to you on command. At
the end of two weeks, I spend 90 minutes to teach the owner what I have taught the dog in order to reinforce and
maintain consistent behavior for the dog,” explains Collins. There is a “drop and train” option available. This involves
teaching leash manners during two to three-hour classes over a period of five consecutive days. Lastly, Collins will come
to the owner’s home for a one-hour session once a week for four weeks. “Another service I offer is to help choose a pet
for you and your family. I have often seen people select an animal on impulse instead of taking the breed into
consideration. For example, a border collie needs a job and a mental challenge, so that breed is appropriate for certain
circumstances,” she says. Collins is married to David Collins, a painting contractor. The couple has lived in Orinda for 14
years and their sons, Tyler and Brody, are Miramonte High School graduates. For more information about I Talk Dog,
visit the website at www.italkdog.com, call Denise Collins at 285-9194, or email denise@italkdog.com.