About Five Lakes Dog Training

About Five Lakes Dog Training

Five Lakes Dog Training is run by a trainer who introduces herself as Sami: "I'm Sami, and I love

training dogs!! For the last 25 years, I have spent every extra minute learning as much as possible

about new training methodologies, proofing practices, and maintenance tools". The tagline is "Where

Best Friends are MADE!" and the published contact is "Call or TEXT today! (517)404-2825".

Services

Three programs are named:

– **In-Board Training** — "Your Best Friend is fully trained in 10 days!"

– **Play and Train** — "Drop your pup off for a day fun and training!"

– **Puppy Pre-School** — "Let me help you MAKE your newest Best Friend!"

In-board training, in detail and priced

The board-and-train page is the most specific part of the site. "The timeframe for training is 10-14

days and the cost is $3,000. I offer discounts year round, so call or text today for a quick phone

consultation!"

Dogs are boarded in the trainer's house rather than in kennel runs: "Being housed for training in my

home, instead of kennel-type environment, gives your dog the benefit of an immersive training

experience. Your dog learns and practices all of his new skills in a real-life in-home scenario, that

will help generalize these behaviors for use when he comes back home."

Approach

The method is described in opposition to the common board-and-train pitch: "Most trainers will tell you

about 'breaking down' your dog's problem behaviors and then using obedience to 'build them back up.' I

don't do this. Problem behaviors begin when your dog is attempting to understand his environment and

accidentally figures out how to reward himself. Instead of addressing those problem behaviors,

unnecessarily, I focus on the skills to replace them." Training starts motivationally, "using thousands

of repetitions, to build muscle memory and trust", and the stated aim is to show the dog "every

possible scenario, so that he knows exactly what is expected in any situation."

The site states the range of problems taken: "From safety related behaviors like aggression and

anxiety, to common exuberant behaviors like running away and jumping on guests."

Background

"My background in police and protection dog training allows me to understand why stressed or aggressive

dogs react the ways they do, and how to manage their future behavior to eliminate those issues." She

competes "at the World Championship level" with a Dutch Shepherd, Cada ("BISS CH Hoeksteen Idyllic

Destroyer IGP3 IPO-FH FH2 AD LCX URO3, USJCH"), and is training two of Cada's daughters, Aite and Burn.

The sport is named and explained on the page: "Our sport is called Schutzhund, or IGP… It involves

the three phases of Tracking, Obedience, and Protection".

Family members take part in the work; their listed activities with the household dogs are "lure

coursing, competition obedience, conformation, nose work, and dock diving."