Never apologize for your dog again.
Reduce anxiety and stress in your life with our premier training program. No more calling your dog and them not returning to you, no more worrying about your dog jumping on guests at the front door. Our training program covers a variety issues that dog owners encounter. From the basics of learning their name and sitting, all the way to our advanced training where your dog can comfortably walk into a public store. We want you to enjoy your new pup or dog you’ve known for years to the fullest. That is the goal of our training - to allow you to enjoy your dog to the fullest without any unnecessary anxiety.
Professional Labrador Puppy Training
Raising a well behaved pup into maturity can be overwhelming! The Moose & Mary Method is one with over 7 decades of experience. Our owner, Gene Wolfenbarger, and our Trainer, Justin Rigney, have over 7 decades of combined experience. Their expertise has come at great cost and multiplied thousands of hours of very hard and dedicated work. More importantly, we believe our passion and dedication to dogs make us the best choice for you. We can’t say we are the best definitively, but we can guarantee we are outworking the competition to deliver the results you deserve and we have the track resume to back that up.
The Moose & Mary Method = “No-Nonsense Allowed”
A phrase you will hear a lot from our trainer Justin is “No Nonsense.” We understand that all trainers have certain methods of training, and we respect some and others we have chosen not to adhere to their particular methods. We also recognize and remind you the owner that a dog or a pup is still just a dog. No breeder or trainer can guarantee a perfect dog that will never make mistakes. What we can promise is that through our program you will receive a pup or full-grown dog that will impress you beyond what you ever thought possible. Our job is save you from the embarrassing moments and allow you to enjoy your new best friend in ways you never thought imaginable!
OUR LEVELS:
The COMPANION (4 Months)
The ULTIMATE COMPANION (5 Months)
The ULTIMATE OUTDOOR COMPANION (6-8 Months)
There are many different approaches to take when purchasing your puppy - getting it acclimated to your schedule, to it’s new environment and much more. We know and understand what it is to not only have a BEAUTIFUL DOG, but a WELL BEHAVED DOG. If interested in discussing these levels of training, you can contact Gene between 9am - 5pm Eastern Standard Time. (865-440-1100)
See our training videos at the bottom of this page.
THE COMPANION (8 Weeks Old)
This level consists of over 8 weeks of some of the most difficult, yet formative days, in the life of your puppy. At Smoky Mtn Labradors, we clearly understand the absolute importance that so many of our puppy owners place on having a well behaved puppy. A puppy that is ready to grow into adulthood, and be able to understand that there are certain boundaries for becoming a quality pet. A pet that is not burdensome! You have heard it said that nothing comes automatic, and that there is no free ride. This level is requested more and more from our clients. This is the time when your new companion will be monitored almost around the clock learning crate training. The puppy will be ready for its forever home, and while here, we bring the puppy thru all three levels of veterinarian checks. If you are interested in this Level 1 option, call today, and we will explain the details behind this level. All puppies that stay here for training or boarding, whether here or at one of our satellite kennels, will be taken on a regular basis to our veterinarian for appropriate shots and examinations. (This is additional to training and boarding fees.)
THE ULTIMATE COMPANION (7 & 8 Months Old)
This level is for the serious pet owners and the absolute serious pet buyer. This allows some foundational training that is so embedded into the pup early on that they remain with the pup for the majority of its life. The ULTIMATE COMPANION LEVEL will require the pup to grow up quicker and mature faster as they are early on learning things that typically could take 2-3 years, but at this level, we are very purposeful in speeding this training up. This level comes with a lifetime guarantee offer thru Justin and his Kennel. This training level begins to teach the dog:
Basic Obedience:
REAL RESULTS: “The Moose & Mary Method = NO-NONSENSE”
Attention: Our attention getting exercise teaches each dog their name and to look directly at us each time they hear it. This lays the foundation for everything else you will ever request of your dog. If your dog is paying attention you can get him/her to perform anything within their ability.
Leash Manners: This teaches dogs to work properly and confidently on a leash. Preventing unwanted pulling and jerking is often a concern of many dog owners. Teaching dogs not to jump on to people is also covered during this training phase.
Sit Stay: Dogs are trained to sit quickly on the first command and must stay until released or asked to perform another task.
Down Stay: Dogs are trained to lie down quickly on the first command and must stay until released or asked to perform another task.
Come: The dog must come and sit directly in front of the handler when given the command to do so. The dog must stay sitting until released or asked to perform another task.
Heel: The dog will walk on the left side of the handler and turn or change pace as needed. The dog will sit when the handler comes to halt.Release: Everything that has a beginning must have an end. That is why each dog is trained to the "FREE" or release command. When the dog has completed an exercise he/she is given the release and may move around at will providing they do not pull or jerk on the leash.
Place: The dog is trained to go to a crate or mat and remain there until released. This is very helpful when someone unexpectedly arrives at your door. Simply point to the mat and tell your dog PLACE. Going on a picnic? Take your dogs' mat and enjoy the day with your dog, not searching for him.
Each command is trained in a controlled environment until the dog clearly understands what is expected of them.
THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR COMPANION (11 & 12 Months Old)
This level is for the VERY SERIOUS OUTDOOR LABRADOR LOVER.
This is for the active, outdoor enthusiasts. The pet owner that has the desire to let their dog move around town, sit in restaurants, take an afternoon stroll to Home Depot, load in the car, or even paddle board on the lake.
At this level, we gradually introduce environmental distractions to ensure they will perform in the presence of people, traffic, other dogs, and the like. Finally, we proof the dogs with resistance training. This teaches the dog that when given a command, they must follow the command even when pressure is applied, signaling for the dog to break from position. This level comes with a personal installment into your home with one of Justin’s personal trainers training you and your family members to continue what they and their team have started.
Justin working with a young Labrador pup. Ever called your dog or been in a hurry to get out the door but he/she won’t come back to the house? Those days are over with our training program. Here Justin works with a young pup, teaching them to sprint joyfully every time their owner calls their specific name.
Leash manners are critical. Are you an active person looking to improve your own health by going on daily walks? Or maybe you want to take your new best friend to your child’s soccer game? Here Justin is teaching one of our pups leash manners - where to walk, how to walk, and how to not pull or try and run all over the place.