"Chewbacca learned to be a very good boy by spending time at Mannerly Mutts in York Maine. Robin Ruben’s brilliant training program helped both Chewie and our whole family! Chewie sits stays, shakes and touches like lots of other good dogs. But he is also trained off leash for trail walks, heels perfectly walking along the beach and using the ‘place’ command understands when it is time to lay quietly and be calm. |
"I started as a day boarding client for the pups while my wife and I were at work. Since then I've used Mannerly Mutts for training lessons and week long boarding for many family vacations. The Rubins have even helped me with a family dog I inherited after a death. |
Frequently Asked Questions
“I see some of the awesome results you’ve gotten for other people like me… How do you go about training dogs?”
We always think about YOUR needs specifically when we’re putting together a successful training plan. We use a lot of techniques and training tools to help you reach your goals the fastest while making sure your dog enjoys the training as much as possible, too.
There are many many different styles of training (training methods) and that’s why you might have tried some training programs in the past that didn’t cover all your needs. Here we’ll make sure we do, and use, what will actually work for you and your dog based on your unique needs and goals.
“How old should a puppy be before they start training?”
Puppies can start as early as 8 weeks old (and sometimes sooner if still with the breeder). The earlier the better, really! This starts you and your dog off on the right foot and makes the training easier as your dog gets older.
“Can an older dog be trained?”
Older dogs are just as intelligent as younger dogs. Sometimes it’s harder for owners to break old habits and work on new skills for a dog that they’ve had for many years. But older dogs still learn very well and as long as they are physically and mentally able to do what’s being asked of them - they are usually no more difficult to train than puppies!
“What are your rates?”
Our programs are very unique and can also be tweaked for your specific goals, too. Feel free to call us at 207-361-4395 or contact us here and tell us all about your dog. We’d love to give you all the details about our programs and see if we can help.
“What services do you offer?”
We work with families whose dogs aren’t listening as reliably as they’d like or they have unwanted behaviors they need help with. Our programs work very quickly and get amazing results. Even for your dog! Read about our training programs here.
“What does ‘basic obedience’ training cover?”
Basic obedience is used to help make sure you understand your dog and your dog understands you. Things like making sure your dog is calm when being handled, walking loosely on a leash (rather than pulling you), heeling, sitting properly when asked, laying down when asked, staying when asked, coming when called, and sometimes even going to a bed or another object when asked (this is the “place” command). This is a foundation and it builds every week (as long as you practice at home, too!).
“Do you train dogs with aggressive behaviors or behaviorally challenged (i.e. fear, separation anxiety, overly reactive)?”
We are very familiar with dogs that have behavioral challenges.
Safety protocols are in place here for our staff, visitors, and training in public. Experience combined with a plan will help us together with your dog’s more severe behaviors. Often with extremely reliable obedience from your dog (your dog listens no matter what), your dog’s anxieties start to go away because they think you’re the one in control of everything. They just worry less. This is just one way we can help you and your dog with more challenging behaviors.
(Note: Mannerly Mutts does not train protection dogs. We specialize in family dogs.)
“Can you just help me with one specific behavioral challenge instead of having me go through basic obedience?”
The best way to help a dog with their behavioral challenge is to work on the overall relationship and communication skills between you and your dog. Creating behavioral change is often not as easy as being able to make your dog stop the behavior in the moment. Making sure your dog listens reliably (through obedience training) means you can tell your dog what they should do, ideally before the unwanted behavior even happens. Resolving unwanted behavior is about being able to get your dog to listen reliably AND resolving underlying reasons for the behavior. Both of these pieces happen during obedience training.
“Can you house-train my dog or puppy?”
Yes the Board & Train Program is used for issues like this. When in the Board & Train program your dog or puppy will not be able to continue or start the bad habits they may have started at home. Plus, we can start basic obedience on your dog or puppy at the same time.
Board & train programs are also ideal for families who are busy or want their dog’s training to be effective even faster.
“Can you train my dog without me?”
Initially, we can train your dog without you in a Board & Train or Day-Train program. At some point, however, you’ll need to become involved and participate in the training process. We give you follow-up lessons for both programs.
“Where will lessons take place?”
Unless other arrangements have been made before hand, lessons will take place at Mannerly Mutts 37 Paul Street York Beach Maine 03910, and the surrounding local areas, when your dog is ready. The local areas include the Short Sands Beach and Ellis Park areas (including the shopping areas), Long Sands Beach, and the Wiggly Bridge/Fisherman's Walk area.
“Why must I practice in different locations (after the first few weeks or so of lessons)?”
Most families want their dogs to listen reliably even around distractions. In order to train for distractions effectively, your dog will need experience in different environments, as new locations and the things in them are a strong distraction.
“If I sign up for private lessons, do I need to be there the same time and the same day of the week?”
Our training schedule can be very tight. If you have a job schedule that requires special consideration (i.e. armed forces or nurse), we can arrange something with you. However, our regular policy is to have lessons for individuals on the same time and day of each week. This tends to help scheduling consistency for everyone.
“Since your training works so quickly, can’t I just take one lesson?”
Even though our training is very quickly effective and you may see amazing results after the first lesson, no single lesson will adequately “train” your dog or modify your dog’s behavior reliably.
We require that all families commit to a minimum of 6 weeks (in a group or private program).
You will get so much in return for the commitment you extend to working with their dog.
In a Board & Train or Day-Train situation, where we train your dog for you first, there is a minimum requirement of a 3 week stay with us, for your dog. This helps you get the best head start on training.
“This is fascinating! How did you get started training dogs anyway?”
It has been quite a journey! This is definitely a very rewarding role we have - helping families with their dogs. Feel free to read all about Robin (the owner here at Mannerly Mutts) and her crew here on the “About Us” page.
We always think about YOUR needs specifically when we’re putting together a successful training plan. We use a lot of techniques and training tools to help you reach your goals the fastest while making sure your dog enjoys the training as much as possible, too.
There are many many different styles of training (training methods) and that’s why you might have tried some training programs in the past that didn’t cover all your needs. Here we’ll make sure we do, and use, what will actually work for you and your dog based on your unique needs and goals.
“How old should a puppy be before they start training?”
Puppies can start as early as 8 weeks old (and sometimes sooner if still with the breeder). The earlier the better, really! This starts you and your dog off on the right foot and makes the training easier as your dog gets older.
“Can an older dog be trained?”
Older dogs are just as intelligent as younger dogs. Sometimes it’s harder for owners to break old habits and work on new skills for a dog that they’ve had for many years. But older dogs still learn very well and as long as they are physically and mentally able to do what’s being asked of them - they are usually no more difficult to train than puppies!
“What are your rates?”
Our programs are very unique and can also be tweaked for your specific goals, too. Feel free to call us at 207-361-4395 or contact us here and tell us all about your dog. We’d love to give you all the details about our programs and see if we can help.
“What services do you offer?”
We work with families whose dogs aren’t listening as reliably as they’d like or they have unwanted behaviors they need help with. Our programs work very quickly and get amazing results. Even for your dog! Read about our training programs here.
“What does ‘basic obedience’ training cover?”
Basic obedience is used to help make sure you understand your dog and your dog understands you. Things like making sure your dog is calm when being handled, walking loosely on a leash (rather than pulling you), heeling, sitting properly when asked, laying down when asked, staying when asked, coming when called, and sometimes even going to a bed or another object when asked (this is the “place” command). This is a foundation and it builds every week (as long as you practice at home, too!).
“Do you train dogs with aggressive behaviors or behaviorally challenged (i.e. fear, separation anxiety, overly reactive)?”
We are very familiar with dogs that have behavioral challenges.
Safety protocols are in place here for our staff, visitors, and training in public. Experience combined with a plan will help us together with your dog’s more severe behaviors. Often with extremely reliable obedience from your dog (your dog listens no matter what), your dog’s anxieties start to go away because they think you’re the one in control of everything. They just worry less. This is just one way we can help you and your dog with more challenging behaviors.
(Note: Mannerly Mutts does not train protection dogs. We specialize in family dogs.)
“Can you just help me with one specific behavioral challenge instead of having me go through basic obedience?”
The best way to help a dog with their behavioral challenge is to work on the overall relationship and communication skills between you and your dog. Creating behavioral change is often not as easy as being able to make your dog stop the behavior in the moment. Making sure your dog listens reliably (through obedience training) means you can tell your dog what they should do, ideally before the unwanted behavior even happens. Resolving unwanted behavior is about being able to get your dog to listen reliably AND resolving underlying reasons for the behavior. Both of these pieces happen during obedience training.
“Can you house-train my dog or puppy?”
Yes the Board & Train Program is used for issues like this. When in the Board & Train program your dog or puppy will not be able to continue or start the bad habits they may have started at home. Plus, we can start basic obedience on your dog or puppy at the same time.
Board & train programs are also ideal for families who are busy or want their dog’s training to be effective even faster.
“Can you train my dog without me?”
Initially, we can train your dog without you in a Board & Train or Day-Train program. At some point, however, you’ll need to become involved and participate in the training process. We give you follow-up lessons for both programs.
“Where will lessons take place?”
Unless other arrangements have been made before hand, lessons will take place at Mannerly Mutts 37 Paul Street York Beach Maine 03910, and the surrounding local areas, when your dog is ready. The local areas include the Short Sands Beach and Ellis Park areas (including the shopping areas), Long Sands Beach, and the Wiggly Bridge/Fisherman's Walk area.
“Why must I practice in different locations (after the first few weeks or so of lessons)?”
Most families want their dogs to listen reliably even around distractions. In order to train for distractions effectively, your dog will need experience in different environments, as new locations and the things in them are a strong distraction.
“If I sign up for private lessons, do I need to be there the same time and the same day of the week?”
Our training schedule can be very tight. If you have a job schedule that requires special consideration (i.e. armed forces or nurse), we can arrange something with you. However, our regular policy is to have lessons for individuals on the same time and day of each week. This tends to help scheduling consistency for everyone.
“Since your training works so quickly, can’t I just take one lesson?”
Even though our training is very quickly effective and you may see amazing results after the first lesson, no single lesson will adequately “train” your dog or modify your dog’s behavior reliably.
We require that all families commit to a minimum of 6 weeks (in a group or private program).
You will get so much in return for the commitment you extend to working with their dog.
In a Board & Train or Day-Train situation, where we train your dog for you first, there is a minimum requirement of a 3 week stay with us, for your dog. This helps you get the best head start on training.
“This is fascinating! How did you get started training dogs anyway?”
It has been quite a journey! This is definitely a very rewarding role we have - helping families with their dogs. Feel free to read all about Robin (the owner here at Mannerly Mutts) and her crew here on the “About Us” page.