About The Farm on Main
Training Philosophy
Practical Real-World Experience
Training Philosophy
We utilize a balanced training philosophy, which means we leverage the full spectrum of learning. This approach includes positive reinforcement (adding something good, like a treat or praise, to reward desired behaviors) and clear boundaries. For a dog, this is like having a safe guardrail—they are motivated to follow the path (with rewa
We utilize a balanced training philosophy, which means we leverage the full spectrum of learning. This approach includes positive reinforcement (adding something good, like a treat or praise, to reward desired behaviors) and clear boundaries. For a dog, this is like having a safe guardrail—they are motivated to follow the path (with rewards!), but when they step outside the boundary, there is a clear, immediate, and fair communication to stop, refocus, and choose the correct behavior. These consequences could be a verbal marker, a change in direction, or a brief physical communication through the leash (like a tap on the shoulder). While we are heavily reward-based, we believe that using gentle, fair, and consistent boundaries when necessary provides the clearest communication. This leads to a reliable, well-mannered dog capable of making good choices even around high-level distractions.
Socialization
Practical Real-World Experience
Training Philosophy
Our farm setting provides an unparalleled environment for real-world socialization that goes far beyond a typical urban dog park. While boarding with us, your dog will have supervised and structured exposure to a diverse range of farm sights, sounds, and smells, which helps build confidence and environmental resiliency. This exposure inc
Our farm setting provides an unparalleled environment for real-world socialization that goes far beyond a typical urban dog park. While boarding with us, your dog will have supervised and structured exposure to a diverse range of farm sights, sounds, and smells, which helps build confidence and environmental resiliency. This exposure includes things like the sounds of machinery, the rustle of wind through trees, and footing on various natural surfaces (grass, gravel, dirt). Furthermore, with careful supervision, dogs are introduced to the neutral presence of other species, such as goats, horses, or chickens, teaching them appropriate distance and calm neutrality toward non-canine animals. This rich, controlled exposure creates a dog that is not only happy in a kennel but is confident and comfortable in any environment they may encounter back home.
Practical Real-World Experience
Practical Real-World Experience
Practical Real-World Experience
My journey into dog training began over 20 years ago out of necessity, not choice, when my first Labrador completely destroyed my house and I felt lost. That experience led me down a path of deep learning, driving me to work extensively with local shelters, rescues, and even as a trainer at a big box store. The culmination of this lifelo
My journey into dog training began over 20 years ago out of necessity, not choice, when my first Labrador completely destroyed my house and I felt lost. That experience led me down a path of deep learning, driving me to work extensively with local shelters, rescues, and even as a trainer at a big box store. The culmination of this lifelong passion is this facility, built specifically to fulfill a dog's needs on every level—genetically, physically, and emotionally. Our approach is unique: we meet every dog where they are. Before we ever ask a dog to learn a new command, our training is centered around first fulfilling their core needs—ensuring they have confidence, structure, exercise, and enrichment—because a happy, fulfilled dog is a dog ready and willing to learn.