"It's Nice to Meet You!"

Welcome, I'm glad you stopped by my website! Training dogs and their people, is more than just a job to me. In fact, I really can't even call it work, it's my passion!  Each and every moment spent training and mentoring these magnificent creatures and the humans that love and care for them, is a gift that I truly treasure.  

"Doug is the best! I am not sure who learned more, me or my dogs, but his techniques really work. I give him the highest recommendation if you are considering training for your dog. You will not be disappointed!” — Elna P.

I founded The Language of Canines, aka "TLC" to help people better understand and communicate with the dogs that they share their lives with.  The end goal being a better behaved, more predictable dog in real-world situations. Training where your dog lives and plays, is a critical part of this process so be prepared to think outside of the box, because we won't be training in one!

Living with a dog (or dogs) should enrich your life.  Unfortunately, for many dog owners this is simply not the case.  Let me show you how to prevent unwanted and unsafe behaviors like biting, jumping, and leash pulling, so that you can regain control of your home and your sanity! With my guidance, you'll learn how to become the calm assertive pack-leader that your dog needs you to be. The results will be a dog that follows your lead, rather than trying to be the leader. The quality of life for both you and your dog will improve dramatically, once you learn how to read your dog and once he or she understands what behavior(s) you're asking for.

We highly recommend The Language of Canines to anyone looking to improve their family’s flow, and their dog’s behavior. Doug’s gentle and loving approach to training is effective and easily executable.” — Kate & Scott S.

I'm a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPTD) - The only independent and standardized certification program in the world.  To become certified, trainers must have at least 300 hours of documented training experience, be recommended by a veterinarian, client, and a colleague, and pass a comprehensive science-based exam in the areas of Animal Husbandry, Canine Ethology, Learning Theory, Equipment, Business Practices and Ethics. In dog training as in all professions, there are trainers that do just what's required and those that seek to do all they can do to become truly skilled, in both the art and science of dog training.  Becoming certified wasn't just an option, but rather a testament of my continual commitment to excellence. What this means to you and your dog, is that you'll both benefit from the latest techniques and training methodologies in the areas of obedience and behavioral modification, with the end results being a better behaved, more predictable dog in a wide range of circumstances and environments.

 Part of this journey towards excellence, requires that I stay engaged and aware of the changes and advances in the fields of Canine Ethology and dog training in general.  I can think of no better way to do this, then to surround myself with like-minded individuals. That's why I'm a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).  I'm also an Instructor and Evaluator for The American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program, which rewards and promotes dogs and their handler's who have learned to work at a very high level of predictability and obedience in real-life scenarios.

"Doug has a special connection with animals that allows him to understand what motivates them and how to best work with them. I would highly recommend Doug” — Laura Z

I  maintain both professional liability insurance and I'm bonded for our mutual protection. It costs more to seek and maintain certifications, join professional organizations, and carry insurance coverage, but I believe that this level of commitment set's me apart from others who "play" at being professional dog trainers.  My personal pledge to you is that I'll you'll always receive the very best I have to offer, regardless of the cost or time involved.

As a professional dog trainer, I've devoted hundreds of hours of study and real-time experience working with many breeds of dogs, all for the sole purpose of learning how to better communicate with and understand them.  It sounds so intuitive, but the truth is nothing about training dogs is obvious.  And why should it be, we "speak" different languages.  So if you're having challenges, don't beat yourself up.  Instead, let me teach you how to speak dog!

My training philosophy is simple, learn your dog's preferred method of communication, and "speak" to your dog in that context. I believe that the best way to train a dog "manners" is to do so positively.  I also feel that it should be equally fun for the humans in class, so if you're looking to be lectured too sleep, please pass me up.  I'm going to challenge both you and your dog. It will be fun, exciting, and sometimes maybe just a little crazy!  In the end, your dog will be better mannered, more predictable, and better able to understand what you want it to do.  Likewise, you will better understand what your dog needs and wants.

So I invite you to follow my lead and learn the Language of Canines, and along the way we are even going to teach your dog a little English! - Douglas A. Heywood, CPDT-KA