Irma– Dog Trainer for the Mid-Valley and Central Oregon Coast.
Private Dog Training
In the comfort of your own home
Welcome to GOOD DOG! Gentle Dog Training, your first step towards an understanding relationship with your dog. My name is Irma Kapsenberg and I started GOOD DOG! (based in Corvallis, OR) in 2000. I offer in home training consultations in the Willamette Valley and surrounding areas, including the Central Oregon Coast. Please enjoy browsing around on my website to learn more about me and my dogs, my training philosophy, techniques and how I can help you.
Goals
The Family Dog
Every adoption of a dog or puppy starts with a dream, a dream of having a loyal friend, companion or maybe even protector of the family. That dream often shatters, according to the nation's statistics of millions of dogs and puppies being euthanized in shelters alone every year. Many dogs' lives end as the result of problem behavior due to the lack of training and proper management and socialization. My goal is to keep dogs in their families by educating both the family and the dog. This will enable you to enjoy the company of your dog.
Good manners from the start. Click here for training information.
Freely enjoying each others company. Contact me now to learn how you can achieve this with your dogs.
Philosophy
Respecting Animals
I firmly believe that dogs desire structure and leadership in order to live in harmony. We, as their owners, need to make sure that our dogs can live their lives they were meant to live. Teaching a dog requires insight in and respect for its breed, history, health status, age and personality. Dogs deserve to be trained alongside their owners, exercised, socialized and kept safe and healthy. Obedience training is not a goal in itself but rather one of the tools in establishing a pleasant relationship with your dog.
About
My Experience
As far back as I can remember I have been fascinated by dogs. As a child I played with the neighborhood dogs and took them for walks, although I had never had a dog of my own. Through trial and error I learned not to get bitten, prevent fights and to work with them. Once on my own, I have never been without the company of these amazing animals. I was born and raised in The Netherlands where I worked as an elementary school teacher for 12 years. In 1995 I completed my dog instructor's license with the leading Dutch behaviorist and dog training innovator Martin Gaus and have been training dogs professionally ever since. I am a member of the APDT (American Pet Dog Trainers). I have been an invited speaker at OSU workshops, LBCC classes and teach school children about dogs at "Camp Catnip", organized by Heartland Humane Society. The more I learn about dogs, the more they amaze me; they are my teachers, my constant companions and above all, my dearest friends.
My Dogs
I am proud to introduce my four dogs: three Whippets, Rusty, Lowieke and Bungee, who have enjoyed oval track racing and lure coursing in their younger years and are now retired. Koda, a Shepherd mix is an active, loyal companion. I raised him since his birth in my foster litter. All four regularly assist me in helping clients' dogs deal better with the presence of other dogs. My dogs live happily indoors with us. They all have been trained with the positive techniques and are a joy to be around.
Koda followed by Lowieke, Rusty, myself and Bungee (front).