For the Love of Dog #3

For the Love of Dog offers a range of courses from basic manners to advanced sports, focusing on improving dog-owner relationships through choice-based reinforcement. Programs include Agility, Behavior Wellness, Treibball, and Nosework.

Agility classes range from Agility I Foundations (flatwork, cues, obstacle introduction) to Agility II Special Skills (obstacle cues, timing, discrimination), Agility III Sequencing (short sequences, crosses), and Advanced Agility Coursework (full courses, distance, discrimination, directionals).

Behavior services include Behavior Consults to assess problem behaviors like reactivity, impulse control, no recall, or fearfulness, followed by Private Training sessions. Puppy Right Start programs are available online, as private lessons, or as a package, focusing on essential foundation skills and confidence building.

Nosework classes progress from Intro to Nosework (independent searches for food, scent puzzles) to Intro to Elements (containers, vehicles, interiors, exteriors), Intro to Odor (Birch, Anise, Clove), Competition Readiness, and Challenges in Competition (advanced search challenges for NW2/NW3/Elite). Treibball training includes Treibball Basics (cues, positions), Treibball-Ball Skills (maneuvering balls through obstacles), and Treibball-Coursework (short courses, balancing the ball).

Pricing Summary

Behavior Consults are $150 for a 45-minute session. Private Training sessions are $95 each. The Puppy Right Start On-Line Program costs $125. Puppy Right Start Private Lessons are $85 for 40 minutes. A Puppy Right Start Training Package is available for $350, which includes the full online training program plus four private in-person lessons.

For the Love of Dog offers a range of courses for all levels of training, from basic manners to advanced sports, focusing on improving relationships with furry friends. They promote social distancing and offer open-air classes with small class sizes.

The business aims to help dog owners build clarity, confidence, and cooperation in their dogs, whether for a calm companion, a competitive performance sport canine, or enriching activities. They provide choice-based reinforcement training programs for all disciplines.

Sharon Gakstatter, the trainer, holds several certifications ensuring up-to-date positive training techniques. She is a firm believer in creating goals and achieving them through time, patience, and persistence.

Accomplishments

Sharon Gakstatter is one of a few trainers in Oregon certified to the level of CPDT-KSA, which requires 300 hours of training experience, a written exam, and hands-on evaluation, plus continuing education. She is a Certified K9 Nose Work Instructor (NACSW CNWI), competing in NACSW and SDS Nose Work Trials with multiple dogs, achieving a Pronounced designation with two NW3 titles.

Sharon is also a certified Judge for NACSW Trials and a Certifying Official for NACSW Nosework Trials. She is a Wag It Games Certified Instructor Tier II and is authorized to judge WIG competitions. Additionally, she completed the Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer course in 2017, a 10-week intensive program covering health, behavior, and training focused on natural abilities and motivations. She has attended workshops from Agility, Nose Work, and Behavior experts.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients can schedule a Behavior Consult to assess their dog’s skills and develop a training plan. For general inquiries or to discuss training goals, clients can email or text. Classes can be registered for via the provided link, and a calendar is available to check class schedules and availability.