My Training Philosophy
Do you control your dog, or does your dog control you?
I believe in holistic dog training that includes the entire family in the places that the dog considers “home”. The most successful transformations occur when everyone is on the same page and learning new behaviors at home (your physical house, yard, neighborhood) that can then be applied in public places.
I consider myself to be a balanced trainer. Though I use several positive methods, I do believe in the balance of positive reinforcement along with reprimand and follow through when necessary. My goal is to help you to build a respectful relationship with your pet that consists of boundaries and rewards.
FOUNDATION PROGRAM
Congratulations on the newest addition to your family! Whether your fur baby is a puppy or new rescue, make sure you start your relationship on the right foot with the Foundation Program. Positive commands, such as sit, stay, come, place, down and off not only make your dog a good citizen in your home, but can also save their lives. Everyday on social media, there are reports of dogs that have slipped their leashes or run out of the door and are missing or worse. Building a solid command foundation with your new dog will help you to maintain control while leashing walking, when opening your door, while in the car, in public places and when you welcome guests.
Commands/Manners Addressed: Sit, Stay, Come, Off, Down, Leash Walking, Potty Training, Look, Leave it, Place, Begging, Jumping, Mouthing, Biting, Counter-Surfing, Crate Training and more.
Behavior Modification
Is your furry friend causing a bit of chaos at home? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Many dog owners find themselves facing behavior issues with their beloved pets, and that’s where we come in.
Behavior modification training focuses on understanding the root cause of your dog’s issues and implementing balanced techniques to encourage more desirable behaviors. I will work closely with you and your dog to develop a personalized training plan to address the problem. Whether it’s jumping, barking, chewing, or separation anxiety, I can help you address these challenges and create a harmonious environment at home.
Behaviors Addressed: Seperation Anxiety, General Anxiety, Barking, Biting, Chewing, Resource Guarding, Dog or Human Aggression, Leash Pulling, Jumping, Reactivity, Lack of Recall, Marking, Digging, Fear Reactions
Refresher Courses
It happens to the best of us. You’ve learned the foundation, you’ve addressed behavioral issues and over time, you’ve slipped back into old habits that have started to wreak pup havoc on your household. Not to worry. We can get you and your dog(s) back into the swing of things in no time! The Refresher course is perfect for those who have gone through one of our other training programs or who is introducing a new dog to their lives. As always, the training sessions will be custom tailored to your specific needs following an initial consultation to understand the current situation. Reach out to us today.
THE PACK
The Pack is a unique benefit afforded those who have successfully completed a training program with Sabrina’s Canine Solutions. From the time you graduate, you will have the support and camraderie of the pack – Sabrina and others who have successfully completed their program. Join us for weekly meetings at a local park or venue, walks and other opportunities (weather permitting) where you can reinforce your dog’s training skills, work on socialization, exercise, check in and benefit from a group session. This part of the program is completely optional and at your convenience, but those who take advantage consider it a beneficial part of maintaining their (and their dog’s) good behavior!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you require dogs to be vaccinated?
The State of Connecticut requires all dogs to have an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Doing any type of training with an unvaccinated dog put my staff and me in danger if the dog were to bite.
What experience do you have?
After taking a job with a local dog trainer as a kennel assistant, Sabrina’s love of all things dogs took over and she found herself leaning into an interest in training. To further her skills and knowledge, she sought an apprentice (and later, staff) position with a Canine Behaviorist and spent the next eight years working alongside several trainers and learning different approaches and methods for addressing the various issues that dog owners faced. With close to ten years of experience under her belt, she opened her own training business in 2018.
Can you provide references?
I have several positive reviews on my Facebook and Google page and website that give testimonial to my methods and successes. (Read) If you are interested in speaking to previous clients, I can certainly arrange those conversations for you.
How do you handle behavioral issues?
Each dog and situation requires a tailored approach to behavioral issues, however, first and foremost, the dog must feel safe and the owner must feel empowered in order for any progress to be made. Sometimes this means that we start with basic commands and boundary setting and working towards addressing the issue. Occasionally, when the situation warrants, I do advocate using stimulation collars (not shock collars), prong collars and other tools to help a dog understand when a behavior is not acceptable and to snap them out of acute displays of negative behavior (reactivity, resource guarding, aggression, etc.). I do believe in positive reinforcement but use balanced training methods to achieve the best results.
How do you involve owners in the training process?
In my opinion, the owner IS the training process. I don’t train dogs. I train people to have a respectful relationship with their dog(s) so that clear boundaries are established and followed. When I come to your home for the evaluation, I will be observing how you and other members of your family interact with your dog(s) and vice versa and will create a training program that centers around your behavior with the dog. You will have homework to practice from week to week and in the end, it is your changed habits that will not only spell out success for your current dog, but hopefully for all dogs that you have in the future.
What is your availability?
My “office hours” start at 10am or 12pm depending on the day, Sunday through Thursday and continue until 9pm. My schedule is extremely flexible and I offer training sessions in the morning, afternoon, evening and on weekends. I assure you that we can work together to find a schedule that is convenient for you.
The Process...
ContacT
Interested? Want to know more? The first step in the process is to reach out to us. Fill out the intake form on our contact page with as much information as possible. We will review your information and return your inquiry as soon as possible with a follow-up phone conversation with her assistant, Lisa, and then pick a date/time that is convenient for you and your dog(s) to meet Sabrina for an evaluation.
Meet SabrinA
On your scheduled date, Sabrina will come to your house to meet you and your pup(s)! This visit will take around 90 minutes and should include everyone who resides in the home or has responsibility for your pet. She will ask questions, learn your concerns, observe your dog's behavior and watch you interact with your dog(s). At the conclusion of this session, she will present you with a recommendation for services and a quote.
Schedule Your SessionS
When you are ready to move forward with your dog(s), Lisa will again reach out to you to schedule blocks of appointments in one to two week intervals at a time that is convenient for you. We offer day, night and weekend appointments so finding a good time should be easy! Training sessions will occur in the home, but will be tailored to the needs of your particular dog.
Contact Us
Located in Meriden and serving a 45-minute radius for home training visits.