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Date: 1/26/2022
HAMPDEN – Keebler, a 7-month-old Belgian Malinois, clutched the arm of a dog-training bite-suit in his jaws, pulling and tugging on the fabric. “Out,” commanded TJ Dwyer. Despite the clear urge to continue his grip, the dog released the sleeve and stared up into his owner’s eyes. After Keebler sat on command and waited patiently for a few moments, Dwyer said, “Okay,” and the dog went back to happily biting the suit.
Such control over canine impulses is Dwyer’s specialty as the owner of Hampden-based Through Dogs Eyes K9 Training.
Dwyer started training his three dogs about a year and a half ago. He said it was a trial-and-error process. After realizing he wanted to make dog training his career, Dwyer enrolled in award-winning dog trainer Ivan Balabanov’s “Training Without Conflict program.” He said he is in the process of a one-year field experience period before he can take the exam to become certified.
“It really, completely changed the way I look at dogs,” Dwyer said.
Before turning to dog training, Dwyer was pursuing a degree in nutrition. While he liked the idea of helping people, he said nutrition was never a passion for him. Working with dogs has made him, “a much more stable, happier person,” he said.
In the four months since Dwyer began Through Dogs Eyes, the business has had about 10 clients. Dwyer said COVID-19 and the cold, icy weather has made it difficult to schedule training sessions, but as spring approaches, he expects more clients.
Training Style
The method used by Through Dogs Eyes utilizes both positive and negative reinforcement with the goal of teaching impulse control and redirecting a dog’s natural instincts and tendencies toward acceptable and safe behavior. Dwyer uses knowledge of breeds and the activities individual pets enjoy to customize training to each dog. “If [the dog] wants to play and wrestle, I’ll use that,” in the training, he said.
“A lot of people see those dog behaviors as problems and try to suppress it,” Dwyer said. As an example, he said, dogs with aggressive tendencies need an outlet for that behavior, so he may work tug-of-war into the animal’s training. Likewise, he said, “If a dog’s chasing a frisbee, we consider that fine, but if it’s chasing a car, that’s not okay. To the dog, it’s the same behavior.”
Similarly, Dwyer said if a dog is anxious, he will address the issues through play by doing something the dog likes and then slowly introducing the anxiety-inducing factor. He reinforces the desired behavior with the play activity the dog enjoys.
Through Dogs Eyes offers on- and off-leash obedience using a small number of commands that are applicable in a wide variety of environments.
“I want to teach things in a way that’s reliable,” Dwyer said.
Services
As a mobile training business, Through Dogs Eyes will work with dogs in their home environment or in a public field, generally with the owners present.
“A lot of it is teaching the owner, rather than the dog,” Dwyer said. Consistency is important in training dogs and changing habits, Dwyer said. Couples may communicate with their dog differently from one another, so working with them puts everyone on the same page.
If the owner prefers, Dwyer trains dogs without the owners, often for a day-long training involving structured play, hikes and public interaction. To socialize dogs and get them used to people, other dogs and loud noises, Dwyer takes them to Lowes and Home Depot. The two pet-friendly businesses offer opportunities for dogs to practice obedience in a real-world situation.
Dwyer records the entire session so the owners can see the dog’s reaction to command and overall behavior.
Through Dogs Eyes also offers a one dog at-a-time board and train program. Dwyer trains the dog in his home, teaching proper play structure, commands and interaction with other dogs in a controlled environment. He then shows the owners the commands and how he has interacted with the dog. Dwyer used the metaphor, “I build the car and I then show the owner how to drive the car.”
It is easier to instill habits when the dogs are young, but Dwyer said he works with all ages and breeds to teach them how to be the best version of themselves.
“It truly does make me happy,” Dwyer said.
To learn more about Through Dogs Eyes, visit https://throughdogseyestraining.com or https://www.facebook.com/TJThroughDogsEyesTraining.