Wholistic Hound’s Sandy Modell

Scarlett in the FENDI VIP Room at 2009 Fashion for Paws (Photo by Stacey Vaeth Photography)

Those who really know me know that my pets are a big part of my life and who I am. People have asked whether I’m a dog or a cat person. the truth is I’m both. I grew up having both dogs and cats, and I think each animal brings unique qualities to a relationship with its owner. I have always been a big believer in obedience training for dogs. There nothing worse than a ill-mannered dog, aside perhaps from an ill-mannered man. Not only does obedience training improved the dog’s behavior, but it also deepens the bond between the dog and its owner.

Shortly after I married, I bought myself an adorable Maltese puppy who I named “Gatsby”. My parents were partial to big dogs, and never allowed me to have the fluffy little toy dog that I’d always wanted. I bought a lot of books on dog training, and was surprisingly successful at teaching “Gatsby” the following commands: Sit, Down, Stay, Speak, Stretch, Turn-around, and even Roll-over.

Fortunately, I taught “Gatsby” hand signals for each command which proved very useful years later when he went deaf. The most common cause of congenital deafness in dogs is pigment related. Apparently, white dogs, particularly those with white ears, are more likely to have hearing problems. This affect dogs such as the Harlequin and Merle coloring in Great Danes, Jack Russell Terriers, Bichon Frise, Collies, Dalmations, Boxers and Maltese. 

As many of you know, Gatsby passed away last year on August 1st, my birthday, twenty minutes after I returned home from an accident in which I totalled my car. A week later my mother surprised me with a Maltese puppy when she came up to see me, and I’ve been training “Scarlett” ever since. A few weeks ago, my friends Kristina Robertson and Michelle D’Ettorre of Barkley Square Dog Bakery & Boutique and Karing by Kristina introduced me to Sandy Modell of Wholistic Hound.

Sandy has been training dogs for many years and her philosophy and methods approach training as more than just dog “obedience.”  Humane and effective dog training is based on the science of learning behaviors.  The methods that are used are positive, motivating, and fun.  She teaches your dog to learn while building the human-dog relationship and increasing the bond between you and your dog. 

Sandy advocates “clicker training”, which was new to me, but Scarlett and I have picked it up pretty easily. Basically, you click the clicker at the exact moment when your dog is performing a command. You give the dog a treat immediately after clicking, so that soon the clicking noise is associated with treats, and your dog will be excited to perform the command for you and to hear the click. Scarlett was already well-trained, and know the following commands: Sit, Down, Crawl, Stay, Speak, and Turn-around. My main objective for our private lessons was to teach Scarlett to come on command, and to work on her house training.

Sandy can help you with all types of issues, such as manners training, general problem solving, behavior issues including housetraining, jumping up, leash walking, coming when called, crate training, puppy mouthing, chewing, nuisance barking, and more.  She will target your dog’s individual issues and help you solve them wherever they happen. 

She can help you set up puppy-proofing and a training schedule so that you and your dog start off on the right paw!

Sandy also offers the following specialty classes:

So You Want a Dog?

This is a program designed for families thinking of adding a new dog or puppy to the family.  Assistance in how to pick the right dog for your family, including breed and breeder selection, choosing appropriate activity levels, selecting goals (family pet and/or competition), are all discussed along with starter tips for your new family addition.  This is a perfect starting place whether you are considering purchasing a dog from a breeder of adopting from a shelter.

Shelter and Puppy Evaluations

Everyone loves puppy breath and wagging tails and they are all so irresistible!!  Sometimes the largest mistake people make is forgetting that dog ownership starts the second they lay eyes on their dog.  Whether you have been through the “So You Want a Dog?” program or just need a little help selecting the right pup from a litter or from a shelter, it is invaluable to have an unbiased and skilled professional opinion.  Choosing a dog that is going to be with you for 10-15 years is a BIG step.  Choose the right dog from the start and get off on the right paw!

So, You’re Having a Baby! 

This is a program designed for expectant mothers and their families and offers positive, practical, and fun solutions that can provide compatibility between your new baby, your new lives, and your canine companion.  Focus will be on how to prepare your dog for the new sounds and smells of your new baby, how to make safe introductions, clear up myths, emphasize realistic expectations and set families and their dogs up for success before baby arrival.

I highly recommend Sandy Modell! She’s just a really good person, and is a big dog lover. She can be reached by phone at (571) 238-9145 or via email at smodell@comcast.net. Be sure to tell her that Miss A and Scarlett sent you!

- Miss A