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It doesn't have to be this way, though. With just a little
help from Woodlawn Kennels, a well-trained dog can truly be "man's
best friend."
Woodlawn Kennels, conveniently located in Alexandria, Virginia,
offers two kinds of training: In-Kennel and At-Kennel.
In-Kennel training is more like "boarding school"
for animals or a "training camp." Tom Benson, owner
and certified kennel Operator of Woodlawn Kennels, says that
with the most intensive training, the animal is actually left
at his kennel for a ten-day period. During that time, he or the
other trainers provide numerous expert training sessions. Then,
they follow up with at least four sessions with the owner.
"I'm a big advocate of owner participation," he
explained. "Pets are usually very eager to please - and
smart! I've never seen a stupid pet, but I've seen plenty of
owners who don't seem to have an idea of how to handle an animal."
That's where Woodlawn Kennels comes in. Not only does the
staff train the pet, but the owner is trained, as well.
"Dogs need a job," Tom continued. "They are
pack animals and need to know what their boundaries are. If people
don't set those boundaries, the pet will."
"We teach basic obedience - pet manners, if you will.
That way the pet can become a welcome and enjoyable member of
the family."
Tom Benson and Barbarann Ford
Basic obedience consists of the standard commands, such as
"heeling," so there's no doubt about who is taking
whom for a walk. Kennel staffers also teach the animal to sit,
stay, lay down, come - on command - and to have respect for the
word "No." In addition, they also offer behavior modification
to stop such unwanted behavior as biting, excessive barking,
jumping on people, inappropriate elimination and generally destructive
behavior.
Another type of training that Woodlawn Kennels offers takes
place at the kennel, but doesn't involve boarding. This consists
of six sessions - one a week - during which the owner and dog
are trained together. The owner takes the dog home after class,
where both practice what they have learned. Then they come back
the next week for another session.
Both methods are very successful. It just depends on what
you find best for you and for your pet. The key to success is
positive reinforcement. "It's fun for the animals,"
Tom explains. Because it is fun, the dog looks forward to training
sessions and generally learns more quickly.
The owner has to follow up, of course. That's why Woodlawn
Kennels provides sessions with the owners. And if the owner does
keep up with the training, but still has questions or problems,
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Tom Benson, owner of Woodlawn
Kennel and certified kennel operator, and trainer Barbarann Ford
teach basic obedience.
Woodlawn Kennels offers a free evaluation and advice. In addition,
if you have kept up with the training, every time you board your
Woodlawn-trained dog at Woodlawn Kennels, a refresher course
is thrown in at no extra charge. You certainly don't find that
kind of service anywhere else!
At Woodlawn Kennels all sizes and ages are accepted. Tom admits
it is best to catch dogs while they are young - preferably at
three or four months of age - in order to set the direction of
their future path. He says this can be especially helpful when
you're dealing with a potentially large animal, because it is
physically easier to handle when it is still young. But training
can also be successful when the animal is grown.
"It is NOT true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks."
Tom says, "I've trained dogs as old as 11 and 12 years of
age, and the one thing I hear from owners afterwards is 'Why
did I wait so long?'"
Woodlawn Kennels also offers other kennel services. Grooming,
for instance, can be done seven days a week, and all the groomers
are certified by the National Dog Grooming Association.
You can also board your pet at Woodlawn Kennels, when you
have to go away. Think of it as a vacation or a camp for Fido.
Woodlawn Kennels offers optimal play time, in addition to the
basic needs of food, water and shelter, so that it's really fun
for your pet.
And there's Day Care. That's right. Day Care. Just drop off
your dog for the day. This can be an good idea for a number of
reasons. Some people just don't want to leave their pet alone
all day, every day. And pets also learn to be more social when
they deal with other people. The pets also can learn that there
are places they can go that are fun. A lot of pets are afraid
to travel, because they rarely travel anywhere other than to
a veterinary office or to places that they find frightening.
Day Care can give them a pleasant diversion.
Call today. You'll wonder why you waited so long. Major credit
cards are accepted.
Woodlawn
Kennels
Serving pet
lovers for over twenty years from the same convenient location...
two miles north of Woodlawn Plantation
8340 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, Virginia 22309
703-360-6161
Office
703-360-1644 Grooming
Office hours are 9 am
Noon and 2 - 6 pm,
Monday through Saturday.
On Sundays, the kennel is open 5 - 7 pm
Tom Benson,
Certified Kennel Operator
Member: ABKA, IPTA and AATA
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