ABOUT VINCENT DEMAIO
Vincent DeMaio Dog Training has a passion for all dogs. He started training under the famous trainer John Soares. He trained his own dogs with the idea that pet obedience training should be both owner and dog-friendly as well as affordable. Throughout the years, Vincent DeMaio Dog Training has continued to increase learning opportunities for dog owners and promote responsible pet ownership in the Greenwich area.
Successful dog obedience classes have been introduced beyond Fairfield County to Westchester County. We’ve offered educational demonstrations for kids in summer camps and participated in many events in the area.
We’re very appreciative of the ongoing support we receive from area animal shelters, rescue groups, veterinary offices, pet-related businesses, and most importantly, our dedicated customer base. If you would like to meet us or just haven’t seen us in a while, come by for a visit. Vincent is always available to talk dogs!
Our Mission
Our Training Philosophy
Vincent DeMaio Dog Training methods are a progressive form of traditional dog training. He believes that you must first learn how your dog interprets the world to have a confident and well-mannered pet.
Today, there is the belief that food is the strongest motivator in teaching a dog obedience tasks. This approach is really very impractical for the average pet owner or the general public. Many times the line is crossed, and food-based training becomes a bribe. For Conformation training or to begin a complicated task in service work, the use of food may be more practical but not always necessary. However, when taking your dog for a walk, food often falls short of what you need to stay in control.
Training or behavioral modification should be based on consistency and repetition and emphasis on praise and interaction with vocal tones and body language. This is the way dogs interact with each other and, therefore, a sound approach to lasting success. It’s a more personal approach as well. We fully believe that to change unwanted behaviors, they must first be confronted. Ignoring bad habits does not necessarily mean they will go away. Corrections given reasonably will let a dog know they are wrong. The level at which you take the discipline is of utmost importance. Corrections aren’t to be delivered due to frustration or anger and should never be abusive. The flip side of this, the reward, is your personal interaction with your dog. An encouraging “Good Boy!” along with tactile reinforcement can be your most rewarding motivation.
It takes conditioning and time to build a bond with your dog. Trust and respect must be earned, not forced. Timing is also an essential communication tool. Right now is all that matters to a dog. Five seconds ago is the past, and five seconds from now is the future. If you cannot make your point in the present, you cannot communicate with your dog. Owners must be willing to be consistent during the early stages of teaching to receive long-term benefits.
Our society today seems to look for a quick fix on everything. However, immediate gratification is not always the best reward for lifelong results. Just as with raising children, structure, respect, fairness, and discipline are necessary for having a balanced and well-mannered pet.