Field of Dreams dog training moves to Vinton
VINTON–Disappearing are the traditions of shock collars and choke chains. These days, many have found what they believe is a better way to train dogs. A positive way.
The people at Field of Dreams, which recently relocated to Vinton, know all about positive dog training. They know it is about more than doling out dog biscuits: it is about learning why a dog behaves in a certain way. Karen Hough and the other trainers at Field of Dreams understand this.
With all of the in-depth studies being done on how dogs learn, this is a great time to be a dog trainer. Scientists and animal behaviorists are finding that dogs do not need to be willed into submission. With the right knowledge about how dogs learn, trainers no longer need forceful techniques such as choke chains and shock collars.
“They’re incredible learners if we can just explain it to them in a way they can understand,” Field of Dreams dog trainer Lee Ann McAdam said.
It was her quest for a dog-friendly training technique that led Hough to a dog training career in the first place.
Karen Hough is the owner of Field of Dreams dog training, which recently relocated to Vinton. Here, she kneels with two of her dogs, Tango (left) and Blink. Photo by Kristin Adams
When Hough moved to Roanoke from Houston in 1989, she wanted one thing: a well-behaved dog. Tired of driving to Lynchburg for obedience classes, Hough and a friend started their own training club, Star City Canine Training Club, in 1995.
After dedicating five years to training dogs at Star City, Hough applied for and received a job at the St. Francis Service Dog foundation. As the Director of Training, Hough helped develop the service dog training program which so many people with disabilities benefit from today.
Five years later, when St. Francis decided to restructure their training program, Hough knew it was time to branch out on her own. In 2005, Hough opened Field of Dreams dog training services. Still teaching from the St. Francis Service Dog facility in North Roanoke, she split her days between a part-time job at the Roanoke County Sheriff’s office, and working as a dog trainer, teaching pet manner classes and agility.
Recently, Hough had exhausted her resources at St. Francis. She took on Field of Dreams full-time, and business exploded to the point that classes could no longer continue in the same location. Hough needed her own space.
Four weeks ago, Hough and the three part-time trainers moved to W. Jackson Street in Vinton. Her agility equipment and Field of Dreams sign is visible from the road, and many Vinton residents are coming in from the street to seek her advice on their dog problems.
Hough and the other trainers offer obedience classes during the day and in the evenings, agility classes, and in-home behavior consultations. Their goal is for dog and owner to be in harmony: teaching owners why their dogs are behaving in a certain way, and how to effectively communicate what they want to the dogs.
Field of Dreams trainer Lee Ann McAdam (right) discusses a training technique with Sue Lindsey, whose dog Bear is taking obedience classes at the new Vinton dog training center. Photo by Kristin Adams
“So in essence, we’re doing a lot of people training,” Hough said.
Many people in and around Vinton, and beyond, are finding success in the Field of Dreams classes.
Dianne Prout rescued Shea, a toy poodle, from a life as a puppy mill breeder. After spending most of his life in a tiny cage, only leaving it to be bred, Shea has some serious emotional problems.
“He’s shy with everyone else, including my husband,” Prout said.
For Shea, anything other than positive dog training would scar him any further. Luckily, Hough and her colleagues at Field of Dreams know that just the right mix of dog treats, love, and space will get the job done better than force.
