Train Your Dog with Central TX Best! Get Started with Board & Train Today.
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Train Your Dog with Central TX Best! Get Started with Board & Train Today.
If you're looking for a dog that is both intelligent and loyal, then a German Shepherd might be the perfect companion! These majestic and attractive dogs consistently rank in the top five most popular breeds in America, and for good reason.
Firstly, let's talk about their appearance. German Shepherds have a distinctive wolf-like appearance, with a large and long muscular square muzzle, bushy tail, long erect pointed ears, and a black mask. Their medium or long double coat is thick and rough, which helps keep them warm. But don't let their fierce looks fool you, because these dogs are playful, energetic, loyal, and loving—especially towards their family.
One of the best things about German Shepherds is their intelligence. They are highly trainable and obedient when it comes to following commands, making them great for first-time dog owners. And with the proper training, they can be great around other dogs and children as well.
German shepherds also have an incredible sense of smell. In fact, german shepherds are ranked fourth among dog breeds with the best sense of smell, which makes them a favorite among the police dogs—as they’re perfect for the task of bomb and drug sniffing, tracking, and search and rescue. They also make great guide dogs, watchdogs, and guard dogs.
If you're a fan of trick training, then German Shepherds are the perfect dog for you! They love to learn and are always up for a challenge, and will often be eager to learn everything from basic to advanced commands. Plus, with their athletic abilities and physical stamina, they're perfect for anyone who regularly likes to hike, run, or swim.
While German Shepherds are a wonderful breed, they can also exhibit certain bad behaviors if they’re not properly trained and socialized. Some common issues include excessive barking, digging, chewing, jumping on people, and a general knack for stubbornness. That’s where professional dog training can help!
With Total Dog’s professional German Shepherd training in Austin, our professional dog trainers can teach your German Shepherd proper obedience and social behavior. We can teach your dog to walk on a leash without pulling, stay calm and focused in busy environments, and respond to your commands in a timely manner. We can even help put a stop to specific issues such as separation anxiety, guarding, or aggression.
Moreover, by helping your dog become better-behaved in public, we’ll strengthen your bond with your dog. After all, once your dog can behave well in public, you'll be more inclined to take them with you wherever you go, which can make life more exciting for both of you.
NOTE: Total Dog! does NOT suggest unique training methods for breeds. The principles of conditioning don't change, dogs want to keep doing good things and avoid bad behaviors.
With our basic training program, we’ll use positive and progressive behavioral-modification techniques that allow your dog to learn foundational skills at their own pace, before advancing to more complex commands and tricks.
With our Total Dog! training package, you can take your German Shepherd's skills to the next level, by training them in real-world environments, in the company of new people or other dogs. Total Dog! is perfect for owners who want expertly-trained dogs that behave just as well outside the home as they do inside it.
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“We had just gotten our new puppy and were scheduled to be gone for 2 weeks when she was only 5 months old. We had tried PetSmart for obedience 101 and just hadn’t seen the results I was hoping for. My puppy, Stormi, is a small dog (10 pounds at that time), and the other dogs in our class were all large and she was super intimidated. It didn’t make for a good set of lessons, at all! Since I knew I would need boarding - it dawned on me to look into a board and train program. That’s when I found Total Dog! I called and set up a consult with Brice. Within 20 minutes of us talking, he had slipped a lead around her neck and had her sitting, in the most perfect pose (see photo)! He immediately put any anxiety I had at ease. Fast forward to returning from vacation - we had opted for 4 weeks of the Board & Train program. It was the best investment I could make in our new puppy. She got to tour local coffee shops, a City Council meeting, and came away stealing hearts and perfectly behaved!! And, to top it off, since her Board & Train program, Brice is just a phone call away and set up a private lesson and came out to work on any “hiccups” we may have encountered along the way. And once this pandemic is over, we are looking forward to completing her Canine Good Citizen certificate. I cannot say enough about Brice - his patience is amazing, both with my puppy and with me! He listened to every thing I said and never made me feel rushed, or that any question was stupid. Not only have I referred several friends to him, but will continue to bring all future dogs to him from here on out.
had the best training with Luisa! millie lacks no energy 😅 and Luisa showed up every week determined to get Millie trained. We had three big goals and each goal was met before Millie graduated. Luisa made it possible for me to push a baby stroller and walk millie on a leash (with no bouncing!!). we loved working with total dog training. will recommend to all of our friends that are dog people 🙂
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Moriah is simply amazing! I have 2 dogs a Cane Corso and a Beagle and within the FIRST SESSION they were completely new dogs! She covered all of my major concerns and worked on them weekly and taught me things that I didn't even know my dogs needed to work on. She made my dogs a priority and made them feel loved. I am now able to walk/shop/go out/ go to the park/ and even place them without worrying that they will run off or attack anyone. Highly recommend Total Dog it is worth every penny!
Schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your dog's situation and assess their needs. From there, we'll develop a custom-made training program designed around your goals and your dog’s unique learning style.
Watch as one of our professional trainers works with your dog to adopt new behaviors and skills, based on their unique learning style and at their own pace.
After your dog completes their training, you’ll see marked improvements in both their skills and behavior. They’ll come when you call them to come, sit when you ask them to sit, and remain generally well-behaved at home, and on the go.
We’re happy to provide Total Dog! obedience training in Austin and San Antonio. Call today to find out if we service your area!
As an individual with a certification in dog training, 3 ½ years of experience in training, as well as being an A.K.C and C.G.C evaluator and C.C.P.D.T With a specialization in behavior modification I have a unique perspective on how puppies/dogs can and will be and go on to be in terms of being fulfilled and successful in multiple aspects of their lives. While not trying to reinvent the wheel, my way of training is rather unique in the way that the behavior of the puppies/dogs is shaped. Whilst using treats as a means for reward after successfully completing a command has been the traditional route for far longer than one can imagine, I have noticed that affection as a means for reward breeds long term fulfillment, and success for both the puppy/dog and owner, therefore, I have implemented this reward system in my way of training, negating the over-treating of a puppy/dog which in-turn negates the creation of separation anxiety and other bad habits that can and will develop from over-treating. By implementing affection as the means for reward, the puppy/dog understands that he or she will be rewarded with affection and they will execute any command more successfully.
I am an entrepreneur in the wellness industry, and as such, I see firsthand the impacts that dogs can have on their families…good and bad! My desire to help people find balance in their lives perfectly dove-tailed into the mission that Total Dog! has, so it was very easy for me to adopt the Total Dog! philosophies not only on my personal Great Pyrenees, but I was then inspired to learn how to bring this to anyone that I can!
I had studied many books and videos, and while there is amazing information readily available, there is also a lot of ineffective information out there as well. Having a single source to get to the truth is amazing!
My Pyrenees is now the “start of the “show” when I am at local Farmers’ Markets, and I can take her off leash wherever I am allowed, without the fear of her running off or getting into scuffles with other animals. We are experiencing true freedom! She is also certified as a Service Dog! Many know that Pyrs can be a bit stubborn, especially on recall, but she now checks in with me to make sure that she is still within the predetermined range that I have set for her.
I am so excited to help you find the same joy with your dog as I do with mine. My whole philosophy on life and wellness is about balance, and having an unruly dog can certainly throw things off! We are here to help!
Starting with her family’s Cocker Spaniel at the local obedience club, Jillian began training when she was 11 years old. This prompted her to get her own dog when she was 13; a rescued Shetland Sheepdog named Missy. They trialed in AKC and the 4H club in agility, conformation, and obedience and eventually got into work as a therapy dog team. This was the root of Jillian's love for dog training.
Now active with her 3 Australian Shepherds, they compete in agility, conformation, obedience, rally obedience, scent work, and herding/stock. Together they have earned numerous titles in each of these venues and have competed at the National level. In 2019 Jillian and her dog Dosey Doe won the High in Trial award for Agility at the ASCA Nationals in Bakersfield, CA. While her personal dogs focus is on competitive sports, her professional work has been centered around general wellness and behaviors.
Jillian's background in professionally working with dogs includes an education as a Registered Veterinary Technician and managing her own grooming business. This has given her a unique perspective in more than just training. Jillian believes in looking at the whole dog to get the best results in their behavior, but also focuses on being a coach for the owners to know how to make desired changes stick.
Family always comes first. Especially my boys Christian (8) and Jovahnny (baby) and my little brother Adrian (9). I’ve always had a big heart for pets, especially dogs. Currently don’t have any pets due to just having a baby who doesn’t do too well with animals but we do plan to get one in the future. I am bilingual, I was born in Mexico but raised in Round Rock, TX. Love going to Mexico to visit my family and of course their delicious food. Excited for the opportunity to help dogs and their owners in Central Texas.
Melinda’s passion for training began at 9 years of age with her family dog, Hershey. Since then, Melinda has enjoyed training her own dogs for fun in agility, skills, hunting, tricks, and service dog work. In 2017, Melinda medically retired from law enforcement and began a new journey where she could turn her passion for dogs into a career. Melinda attended Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage in 2020 where she earned her Canine Massage Therapy license. Since then, she has found a true passion for helping owners build the best relationship possible with their dogs. During her free time, Melinda trains and competes in dog sports and continues their never-ending journey of canine education.
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Cassandra started working with dogs as a young girl when her family decided to open a rescue right out of her home after losing their family dog to breed discrimination.
Always passionate about working with animals, she continued her rescue efforts throughout her life by volunteering in shelters and learning from experts in the field about the handling and training of dogs and cats. After several years of apprenticeships in dog training, working for dog training companies, and serving as the operations and training director of a large scale pit bull rescue for over four years, she joined the Total Dog Team. Today, her mission is to empower owners with the confidence to improve the relationship with their dogs through education, training, and behavior modification.
Haley has always had a love for animals and helping others. She currently has two dogs named Roscoe and Duke as well as two daughters Raynee and Emilia. She strives to continue growing in everything she does. As an administrator Haley enjoys making one on one connections with clients and providing the best information for their training needs. Haley enjoys spending time at the lake with friends and family. Today, her goal is to help as many clients as possible and to empower her team by being a positive role model.
Founder, Professional Dog Trainer & AKC Evaluator
SGT Brice Cavanaugh founded Total Dog! and is on the Board of Directors for the National Tactical Police Dog Association, Operation Overwatch and The Pink Berets. He is a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and is an Evaluator for the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen multi-tiered program.
As an instructor in the tactical field, constant reading of journals and LE updates is a must. Brice’s unique perspectives come from decades of experience, from the tactical training and deployment of Military Working Dogs and Police Service Dogs to the instruction of deployment teams working in theater in some of the harshest conditions in the world.
As an instructor in the tactical field, constant reading of journals and LE updates is a must.
Not listed are dozens of courses that cover everything from Counterterrorism Tactics to Radiological Scanning Devices.
Total Dog! does NOT suggest unique training methods by breed, since we use the same dog training principles with all types and breeds of dogs. That said, from our basic obedience training to our specialty training programs, you can rest easy knowing that all our training programs are available for your German Shepherd.
Yes, German Shepherds can be trained at any age. German Shepherd puppies can start their training as early as a few weeks old, while older dogs can still learn new skills with patience and consistency.
The length of time it takes to train a German Shepherd depends on several factors, such as the dog's age, temperament, and current level of training. Basic obedience training can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, while more advanced training programs can take several months or longer.
When choosing a German Shepherd trainer, it's important to look for someone who has experience working with the breed and who uses positive, reward-based training methods. It’s also a good idea to work with a dog trainer who has the experience to address common behavioral issues that may arise, such as guarding.
