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workshops, seminars and great informational articles!
Masks are currently recommended but not currently required in ALL Alaska Dog Sports Facilities for your safety and ours.
Click here for the CDC's recommendations regarding COVID-19
Please note, your instructor will have final say over the activities in the class.
Welcome to Alaska Dog Sports!
Alaska Dog Sports is a dog training facility that specializes in working with dogs and their people to build better communication and working partnerships. Established in 1998, we've built a strong reputation for providing positive, motivational training for canines and their companions. We focus on the relationship and helping your dog get it 'right'. Our positive and practical lesson plans are designed to take you through the process step by step. Whether you want a better behaved companion or get the bug to go on and learn about competition sports like Agility, Obedience, Rally or Nose Work we're here to help. The instructors here were hand chosen for their skill and abilities with humans and dogs. We're very proud of our 20+ year program and commitment to helping people learn to communicate better with their canine companions.
Alaska Dog Sports
Mission, Philosophy and Guiding Principles
Our Mission: To better the lives of canines and their companions through relationship-based training.
Our Philosophy: At Alaska Dog Sports, we believe every canine should enjoy a healthy, happy relationship with their human companion. Dog training is about developing a relationship between dog and handler, and learning to successfully communicate, despite the differences in styles between humans and dogs. We believe that training can and should be fun and rewarding for both the dog and its handler.
Our Guiding Principles:
A note about dog to dog socialization at Alaska Dog Sports:
We routinely receive feedback that we do not offer enough (or any) playtime for dogs. Alaska Dog Sports is a relationship-based training facility, meaning we work to help further the owner-dog relationship, the owner-training-dog and dog-response-to-owner relationship, and above all else we strive to ensure a positive environment for both dog and owner. With one instructor having up to 8 dogs in class, and with the limit of one hour, it is very difficult for one instructor to ensure positive interactions between 8 dogs while also teaching owners how to ensure positive social interactions. I have seen puppies that are too forward and over excited pounce on other puppies that are introverted and unsure and leave a negative lasting impact. I counsel staff that we should reach for safety and positive social interactions above all else. Our most popular classes are our Puppy Basic Skills 2-6 Months class and Reactive Rover class ... this tells me that dogs are learning the only way other dogs (and people) listen is when the social cues are given in such a strong way (lunge, growl, bark, snarl, snap and bite) as there to be no mistaking of their meaning and intent. With the advent of dog day cares, there are places for dog-to-dog socialization that are safer and more controlled than the average dog park. Please ensure your puppies (and adult dogs!) are set up for success by ensuring appropriate play opportunities.
If you have questions about our classes, schedule or training program please review our website and be sure to visit our FAQ page!
Our Philosophy: At Alaska Dog Sports, we believe every canine should enjoy a healthy, happy relationship with their human companion. Dog training is about developing a relationship between dog and handler, and learning to successfully communicate, despite the differences in styles between humans and dogs. We believe that training can and should be fun and rewarding for both the dog and its handler.
Our Guiding Principles:
- No discrimination based on breed type.
- There are no 'bad' dogs. Some dogs may not fit every class situation; therefore, we will strive to find the best fit for each dog to address its own unique training needs.
- Every dog is an individual. Each dog has its own unique personality and characteristics based on breed type, background, environment, and support systems. Dogs respond differently to various training methods. There is no 'one size fits all' training.
- The best relationships are built on communication, trust and respect.
- Dogs thrive when provided consistent structure, guidance and leadership. Leadership is NOT synonymous with dominance, force or fear. Leadership is "having the ability to lead" or "the act of leading, guiding, directing."
- Training success is directly proportionate to the handler's ability to understand dog behavior, set realistic goals, apply consistent training over sustained periods of time, and the level of communication achieved between dog and handler.
A note about dog to dog socialization at Alaska Dog Sports:
We routinely receive feedback that we do not offer enough (or any) playtime for dogs. Alaska Dog Sports is a relationship-based training facility, meaning we work to help further the owner-dog relationship, the owner-training-dog and dog-response-to-owner relationship, and above all else we strive to ensure a positive environment for both dog and owner. With one instructor having up to 8 dogs in class, and with the limit of one hour, it is very difficult for one instructor to ensure positive interactions between 8 dogs while also teaching owners how to ensure positive social interactions. I have seen puppies that are too forward and over excited pounce on other puppies that are introverted and unsure and leave a negative lasting impact. I counsel staff that we should reach for safety and positive social interactions above all else. Our most popular classes are our Puppy Basic Skills 2-6 Months class and Reactive Rover class ... this tells me that dogs are learning the only way other dogs (and people) listen is when the social cues are given in such a strong way (lunge, growl, bark, snarl, snap and bite) as there to be no mistaking of their meaning and intent. With the advent of dog day cares, there are places for dog-to-dog socialization that are safer and more controlled than the average dog park. Please ensure your puppies (and adult dogs!) are set up for success by ensuring appropriate play opportunities.
If you have questions about our classes, schedule or training program please review our website and be sure to visit our FAQ page!
Alaska Dog Sports is an approved mentor training facility for the Animal Behavior College.