The Dog Wizard brings top-quality dog training to you
By Patricia Nugent
Last year was a banner year for families inviting puppies into their lives. The shelters were emptied, and breeders couldn’t keep up with demand.
But now that people are heading back into the workplace, and kids are perched to return to the classroom next month, those precious canines are going through stress and separation anxiety.
Not surprisingly, The Dog Wizard mobile training service and training facility have been in high demand.
Owners Aurelia and Steve Martin have barely had a day off this year.
Finding a Way to Connect
“What we’re seeing is that these dogs need to find out how to communicate and behave as their owners would like them to,” says Aurelia. “They also benefit from socialization.”
Their positive, customized, pet-centered approach to training has been successful for countless dogs, from teaching puppies obedience to reducing separation anxiety, controlling behavior issues, aggression rehab and more.
“Ultimately, our top goal is to strengthen the bond of owner and best friend and create harmony in people’s lives,” says Aurelia.
Within its training center on N. State Road near downtown Medina, the team holds private lessons, group sessions, day training and board and trains. They also go to people’s homes on occasion.
Many of their success stories come from transforming aggressive dogs into well-behaved ones.
“When we work with dogs that are very reactive, we try to find out the root cause,” says Aurelia. “Oftentimes a dog’s aggression comes from fear. A dog doesn’t know how to react to being afraid and acts out.”
Whatever level of training, they emphasize that the process is a partnership between the trainers, owners and dogs.
“We give owners things to work on at home that reinforce everything we do,” says Steve.
Meet the New Trainer
Steve and Aurelia’s newest dog trainer, Bobby Rearrick, has an interesting background. He’s been a chef, worked with horses, and trained huskies to race in Iditarod-style dog sled races at Yellowstone Park in Montana.
He specializes in on- and off-leash training.
“I love working with dogs,” says Bobby. “It’s therapeutic and keeps me connected to things I hold dear, like mother nature. Helping animals find a way to communicate with the people they live with so they can all enjoy a better life is important to me. I can empathize with dogs on a deep level to understand where their fear or aggression might be coming from.”
Bobby’s number one piece of advice for owners? “Just letting your dog out in the backyard does not equal a walk,” he says.
Rounding out the growing staff are enthusiastic kennel technicians Andrew Farrenholz and Leila Dillon.
They Walk the Talk (Literally)
Steve and Aurelia want to see their positive work with dogs live on, so they offer free bi-weekly pack walks with training drills for the lifetime of any dog who has undergone a Dog Wizard training package. This is the perfect practice for socialization and behavioral reinforcement.
The Dog Wizard Training Center is located at 226 N. State, in Medina. For mobile service, trainers go to homes in Medina and surrounding area. For more information, call 330-461-9287 or visit TheDogWizard.com. Just fill out the contact form on their site and they will reach out to you.