Teach the Human Train The Dog Balanced Training
Teach the Human Train The Dog Balanced Training Teach the Human Train The Dog Balanced Training Teach the Human Train The Dog Balanced Training Teach the Human Train The Dog Balanced Training
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About Us
Changing Lives Every Day One Dog at A Time
Behavior problems don’t just appear out of nowhere—there’s always an underlying reason. Unwanted behaviors in dogs often stem from a lack of socialization, structure, and clear rules, boundaries, and limitations in their relationship with humans.
Dogs thrive under strong leadership. When they have a confident and consistent leader, they feel secure and develop trust and respect. This not only strengthens your bond with your dog but also helps them become a well-balanced and happy companion.
At DePaul K9 Academy, we offer basic, intermediate, and advanced training to meet your dog’s specific needs. Not local? No problem! We provide virtual training sessions via FaceTime or Zoom, so you can get expert guidance from anywhere.
Let us help you create a strong, trusting relationship with your dog!
Our Training
At DePaul K9 Academy, we focus on helping dog owners build a strong bond and balanced relationship with their dogs through proven techniques, obedience training, leadership, socialization, and behavior modification.
Every dog owner is at a different stage in their journey, which is why we start with a 60-minute hands-on evaluation and consultation. During this session, our trainer will observe the dynamics in your home and discuss your goals. This helps us determine the best training program for you and your dog. After all, training is just as much about educating the owner as it is about teaching the dog.
From the moment we bring a dog into our lives, we must adjust our own behaviors and step into the role of a confident leader. Our energy directly influences our dogs, either encouraging good behavior or reinforcing bad habits.
For training to be successful, your dog must trust you as their leader. With professional guidance and your consistent effort, you’ll develop a deep, lasting bond. However, training doesn’t stop when the lessons end—it’s up to you to maintain structure and reinforce what your dog has learned.
Approach training with an open mind, patience, and a willingness to learn, and you’ll have the well-balanced, well-behaved dog you’ve always hoped for—a loyal and valued member of your pack!
Paws Up!!
Carol DePaul
Thanks
About Me
Hello,
My name is Carol DePaul, CEO and Head Trainer of DePaul K9 Academy. My passion for working with animals began in childhood, from owning my first dog to training and caring for horses at just 13 years old. I had the privilege of training therapy horses to assist children and adults with disabilities, an experience that deepened my understanding of the connection between animals and humans.
What started as a personal love for animals evolved into a professional career spanning over 15 years. During this time, I’ve helped countless dogs and their owners develop positive, lasting relationships built on trust, leadership, and understanding.
My Training Philosophy
I specialize in obedience, puppy training, and behavior modification, using positive reinforcement techniques to create a stress-free, rewarding training experience. Whether your dog needs basic obedience, behavior adjustments, or a strong foundation as a puppy, I believe every dog can be trained with patience, consistency, and a little bit of fun.
What sets me apart is my customized approach—no two dogs are the same. I work closely with each owner to create a training plan tailored to their dog’s unique needs. Just as important as training the dog is educating the owner, so you feel confident in continuing the training long after our sessions are complete.
The Key to a Well-Balanced Dog
No matter where your dog comes from—breeder, shelter, or rescue—training is essential for a successful relationship. By establishing rules, boundaries, structure, and limitations, you help your dog develop calm confidence and trust in you as their leader.
People often ask me, "Should I show affection to my dog?" Absolutely! Dogs should be loved and cherished. However, leadership must come first—only when a dog trusts you as their leader will they truly follow and respect you.
I also understand that behavior issues don’t happen overnight. Patience and commitment are key, especially when working with rescue or adopted dogs. With the right training, structure, and guidance, every dog can thrive.
My Experience & Education
I am dedicated to ongoing education and have had the opportunity to train with and attend seminars led by some of the world’s most renowned dog trainers, including:
- Martin Deeley (The Florida Dog Trainer)
- Tyler Muto
- Joel Silverman (Professional Dog Trainer)
- Duke Ferguson (Unleashed Potential K9 Academy)
- Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer)
- Many online webinars and courses with top trainers
When I’m not training, I spend time with my own dog and work closely with rescues in need of rehabilitation and training. I firmly believe that every dog deserves a chance to succeed, and I am committed to helping make that happen—with your dedication and partnership.
If you're ready to build a stronger bond with your dog through proven, effective training methods, I'm here to help!
Why Use The Place Command
Using the "place" command for your dog can be highly beneficial for both training and day-to-day management of your dog's behavior. This command teaches your dog to go to a designated spot (such as a mat, bed, or crate) and stay there until released. Here are several reasons why you should incorporate the "place" command into your dog's training routine:
1. Provides Structure and Boundaries
The "place" command helps establish structure by giving your dog a clear boundary and expectation. By having a designated spot to go to and stay in, your dog learns to understand limits, which can improve overall behavior in the house.
- Encourages Calmness: Teaching your dog to settle in one place can help reduce hyperactivity or nervousness, creating a calm environment.
- Reduces Unwanted Behaviors: Dogs that tend to jump on guests, beg at the table, or follow you around excessively can be redirected to their "place," helping reduce these behaviors.
2. Enhances Impulse Control
The "place" command teaches your dog to practice self-control. By staying in place until released, your dog learns patience and restraint, which is essential for impulse control.
- Staying Focused: Dogs naturally want to move around and explore. By practicing the "place" command, they learn to focus and resist the urge to follow distractions.
- Improves Response to Other Commands: As your dog becomes more disciplined through the "place" command, you'll notice improvements in their response to other commands, such as "stay"and "come."
3. Helps with Guests and Social Situations
When you have guests over, the "place" command can be invaluable in managing your dog's behavior.
- Prevents Jumping and Overexcited Greetings: Instead of jumping on guests or overwhelming them with enthusiasm, your dog can be directed to their designated place to stay calm and out of the way.
- Creates a Safe Spot: The place can be a safe and familiar spot for your dog, which can help them feel secure in new or busy environments.
In this picture Cobie is in an area with many distractions such as squirrels, ducks, people with other dogs walking by in the park. You see he is interested, but holds his "place". He has been taught to hold position, until he hears his release word "break"
It is important to always work with a dog on a leash, especially in an area where there could be potential danger. This way you have control of the situation at ALL times.
