2nd Chance K9, named after helper dog, Chance, who helped start it all, had a beginning similar to several other training companies. The head trainer/founder, Brittany Smith, had several dogs that needed more balance and found herself in a difficult situation. After years of hard work and experience dealing with a variety of dogs and behaviors, 2nd Chance K9 was born. As the demand to help more dogs increased, Brittany pulled in her sister-in-law, Rachael Smith, to shadow and assist with the training. After a year of shadowing Rachael became a full-time trainer for the company. The company continued to grow and soon another trainer was necessary. Reno Barrera was the obvious addition to the team. He had four rescue dogs (one of which came from the animal rescue Brittany runs and operates) as well as a training cat, Rafiki. After shadowing both Brittany and Rachael, as well as working with his own dogs and dogs from friends and family, Reno is now also a full-time trainer for the company and helping dogs become their best selves. As the trainers continue to aim for the best services and results for their clients, 2nd Chance K9 now has approved evaluators for the Canine Good Citizen certification and are excited to offer the test as a service for client dogs! Brittany, Rachael, Reno, and their pack of helper dogs, are devoted to helping others achieve balance and happiness for their dogs as well as inclusion in their lives.
Training tools/Methods:
The training that we use is “big picture” training. The mental state of the dog is first addressed to help them become the best versions of themselves. Behavioral concerns tend to correct themselves once the underlying mentality behind it is worked through. Similar to therapy/counseling; once the deep rooted struggles are worked through, there will be an overall shift in demeanor. Anxious, insecure, or fearful dogs become more confident and settled. Hyperactive dogs learn to calm their minds and be more balanced. Pushy or bratty dogs learn acceptable behaviors in social settings. No matter the issue, a positive mental state makes dogs feel more comfortable and happy in their own skin overall.
Training tools do vary depending on the dog as programs are tailored based on the individual needs and goals of that dog. That being said, there are training tools that are common to most clients. The most important tool is the handler. Dogs do not have a verbal language and communicate through body language. Accordingly, body language and body pressure are the communication tools for all training programs, and the trainer teaches clients how to do the same. Other training tools used include, but are not limited to, food, slip leads, clickers, rolled up towels, toys, affection, place cots, and dog beds. Additionally, there are training tools that are utilized for the majority of clients depending on the program.
Prong collar- Although barbaric looking, prong collars are actually the safest and most humane collars on the market. Prong collars are designed to evenly distribute pressure around the dog’s neck to communicate using pressure points. This is analogous to a mother dog gently grabbing a puppy by the neck. The pressure is not painful to the dog and the trainer takes extra care to properly fit the collar to your dog. The company that manufactures the specific prong collar utilized has done extensive research on the physics of the collar and dog anatomy to ensure safety. Other collars can cause damage to a dog’s trachea and important muscle groups around its’ neck, not to mention the dogs are also at risk for suffocation if the collar is caught on something. By distributing pressure, the prong collar is the most humane collar to put on a dog to protect its neck from injury. Additionally, prong collars have a constriction stopper which ensures a dog will not suffocate if caught on something while wearing it. Not only is it safe and humane, but it is one of the clearest forms of communication between a handler and their dog. It is extremely effective on a wide range of personalities, from the most insecure and fearful to the pushiest and reactive.
Remote Collar/E-Collar: Remote collars come in a wide variety of brands and types but after research and experience we prefer the Educator series from E-Collar Technologies as being most effective and humane. People often refer to the sensation as a “zap” or a “shock” but that is a common misunderstanding of the pressure a remote collar gives. The remote collar has a remote and a collar with a transmitter, and when the remote is used, it sends a transmission to the collar and the collar applies a pressure via stim. The muscle is stimulated similar to a TENS unit (a pain-free muscle stimulating device often used in psychical therapy and the health care arena). The remote collar has 0-100 levels so communication is catered to the need of each dog. It is also waterproof and has a half mile range so obedience can be maintained in any setting.
