Janette Marie Rael, CTC

Janette has been working with dogs professionally for over fifteen years, and specializes in dog-dog social skills, leash reactivity, and aggression. Janette received her education in dog training from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers in 2009. The Academy is one of the most prestigious dog trainer schools in the world, and is often referred to as “The Harvard for Dog Trainers.” The Certified Training Counselor (CTC) Program, lead by the legendary dog trainer Jean Donaldson, is a deep-dive into current scientific discovery in animal learning. As a CTC, Janette will teach you how to address and prevent dog behavior problems with the most reliable and effective training tools available in the industry.

Janette founded R+ Dog Training in 2009, as she began focusing on group dog training classes, counseling private clients, off-leash dog walking, and working with rescues and shelters. Janette managed Metrodog in Richmond, California, a large dog boarding and training center for over six years. There she gained experience working with a wide variety of dogs, from pit bulls to chihuahuas. Observing hundreds of dogs interact in a social environment has given her unique insight into the world of dog body language and communication skills. She has helped countless dogs, who were once reactive or aggressive, integrate into large playgroups and pack walks. In addition to managing the dog behavior program at Metrodog, she supervised the training of new handlers and support staff. She has also been a group class instructor at Milo Foundation, Good Newz Pittie Pups, and California Pitbull Rescue. Janette has been fostering dogs for over five years, and frequently fosters for Louisiana SPCA and Take Paws Rescue.

Training Philosophy

R+ is shorthand for Positive Reinforcement! Positive Reinforcement (R+) involves the Skinnerian method of operant conditioning that involves the addition of a pleasurable stimulus (food, praise, play, or other reward) following a behavior (sit, down, stay, etc.), making it more likely for a dog to perform this behavior again in the future. They get paid in dog treats! Traditional training uses a more punitive method, known as Positive Punishment (P+), which involves the addition of an aversive stimulus (something your dog doesn’t like, as in shouting, hitting, leash pressure, etc.) following a behavior, making it less likely for this behavior to occur again in the future. This method is out-dated and can lead to more aggression. Janette’s passion is teaching people how to train dogs using science-based, positive reinforcement methods because she has seen the negative consequences that traditional training comes with. She believes that pain and force is not necessary to train dogs, and it damages the human-dog relationship. The adverse consequences of using punitive methods have been well research and documented.

Services

• Board & Train
  Do you want a well-behaved dog, but don’t have time or energy to train them? Let us help! Your dog will stay at our facility to quickly learn sit, down, stay, how to come when called, how to walk on a leash without pulling, and much more. Dogs that board with us will be treated as members of our family, and will play, eat, sleep, and learn around other dogs, people, and distractions.
  
  Kickstarter Package: 3 nights, $350
  • Socialization with friendly resident dogs, as well as any foster dogs in our home
  • Minimum of 1 hour exercise and 1 hour training throughout the day
  • Basic impulse control training, including sit and wait for meals and at doors
  • Training field trips for socialization and obedience practice
  • Crate training and settling around the house
  • Leash manners, no pulling while on leash
  • Down stays around distractions
  • Recall, come when called
• Potty Training
• 1 Week Package: 6 nights, $660
  Includes all from Kickstarter Package
  • Additional field trips and socialization
  • Practice of behaviors and commands around distractions
• 2 Week Package: 13 nights, $1300
  *Our Most Popular Option*
  Includes all from Kickstarter Package
  • Fine-tuning behaviors and commands around distractions
  • Custom training plan for your future goals and needs
• Group Classes
  Puppy training and dog training classes that focus on basic obedience behaviors like sit, down, stay, recall, leash manners without pulling, socialization and more.

Certifications

• Certified Training Counselor (CTC)

Specializations

• Dog Aggression, Leash Reactivity, and Dog-Dog Social Skills

Training Methods

• Positive Reinforcement (R+)