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Certified dog trainer
Pam Francis-Tuss
Pam Francis-Tuss

Sacramento, CA

Pam Francis-Tuss is a Certified Dog Trainer with extensive experience under her belt, and more importantly, an undying passion for our 4-legged best pals. She spent 32 years working in the medical field and when she finally retired she started doing what made her the happiest…working with dogs. Pam has always had a dog in her life and can’t imagine life without one (or two). Pam has been married for 35 years and has one awesome grown son. She currently has two dogs, Maddy (a 12 year old mini pit mix) and my new puppy Lola (a bernedoodle puppy). Both are Pam’s best friends and her true loves.


Training Philosophy
Pam believes in respecting owners and their beloved pets: this is why she supports the Pet Professional Guild Association for force-free professionals and values reward-based training strategies and positive reinforcement techniques that have a great impact on the psyche of your dog and lasting good behaviors. The best thing about reward-based dog training is that it can be adapted for any behavior and any breed. But understand that the reward doesn’t have to always be food. It can be praise, a toy or just going outside to play. With a good understanding of how your dog is motivated you can do almost anything from basic training to agility training.


Services
Pam offers a variety of services, including:

  • Day Training: Pam is one of the few dog trainers in the area to offer Day Training services!
  • Private Sessions: Pam offers private sessions in your home, including a Puppy Obedience Program and individual sessions.
  • Video Sessions: Pam offers video sessions via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype for those who live outside of her service area or are unable to meet in person.
  • Puppy Obedience Program: This program includes 1 - 2 hour session and 3 - 1 hour sessions, lifetime access to trainer through email and access to our private Facebook Page for clients. COST: $525.00
  • Individual Sessions: $150


Certifications
Pam is a Certified Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Fear Free Trainer with the Fear Free Program.


Specializations
Pam specializes in positive reinforcement training, puppy training, basic obedience, and behavior modification. She is also a Fear Free Trainer, which means she is trained to work with dogs who have anxiety or fear.


Training Methods
Pam uses positive reinforcement methods only. She believes in rewarding good behavior and avoiding punishment. She also uses a variety of tools and techniques to help dogs learn, including:

  • Clicker training: This method uses a clicker to mark desired behaviors and then rewards the dog with treats or praise.
  • Hand signals: Pam uses hand signals to communicate with dogs, which can be helpful for dogs who are deaf or have difficulty hearing.
  • Verbal cues: Pam uses verbal cues to communicate with dogs, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.”


Customer Reviews


  • Mark Binneboese, Sacramento, CA: “She tailored the training to my dogs needs and provided one-on-one time with me and the dog. Pam also trained me how to interact with my dog. Pam followed up via email with training collaterals to remind me what we did during training. The training went well. I am still using the information Pam provided me. I will use Pam again for a following session.”
  • Kayla H., Sacramento, CA: “I was very pleased to get the chance to work with Pam! She is extremely enthusiastic and cares so much about the dogs she trains and about their owner's success. She is so passionate about her job and it shows! Pam is patient and answered my questions (every single email ;-p). I would use her again in a heart beat and my Double Doodle puppy misses her dearly!”
  • Matt Tellez, Ashville, NC: “Pam has worked with my pit bull/lab mix “Cash” over the last few years teaching him obedience and self-control. Before “Cash” was a very excited dog that would run and jump on family and friends upon entrance to the house. After only a few lessons, Cash was no longer jumping on house guest. With the use of different hand signals Pam was able to teach Cash to self-control and obedience quicker than I had imagined. Some of the commands Cash now has the ability to do is sit, stay, and go to bed. Very simple tricks but were vital for the development of his newly developed good behavior. With the help of Pam Tuss my dog is now someone I want to bring friends and family home to. ”
  • Zach Tuss, Sacramento, CA: “Pam has done a great job with my dog Cooper. Even though she is my mother, I still hold her to a high standard as my Dog Trainer. She was able to help Cooper with simple commands like sit,stay (when I open the front door),come (when I call his name), and go to his bed. These were all simple commands that I was not able to teach him because I was not sure where to even start. She was also able to teach me so I knew how to continue training him when she was no longer there. She also showed me & convinced me that by using certain harnesses and leashes I no longer needed to use a prong or choke collar on him. Now that he has the training he needed it is easy for me to maintain it.”
  • John R., Sacramento, CA: ” Pam’s Obedient Pups Professional Dog Training Service is the way to go for obedience training your pup or dog. Pam turned our little Trixie from a professional mischief maker into a much calmer happier puppy. Trixie now knows a variety of commands including my favorite: “go to bed!” which gives the master occasional time off from caring for our rescue puppy. We are amazed at how much Trixie has learned. Pam is a delight to work with and she also “trains” humans into interacting successfully with their best friend. I would highly recommend Pam Tuss to anyone looking for professional dog training for their canine loved ones.”
  • Linda Oliver, Sacramento, CA: “Pam is an excellent trainer of dogs as well as trainer of people of own dogs. She is patient, understanding, and has real life experience with hard to work with dogs. She trained me at our local city shelter on how to work with “shelter” dogs and I will be forever grateful for her knowledge and teaching great teaching style. Pam’s down to earth approach was logical to me and will stick me as I work with the dogs benefit from her teachings.”
  • Loretta Franzi, Sacramento, CA: “I met Pam at the Front Street Animal Shelter where she serves as a teacher, trainer, mentor and behavior evaluator. Pam is smart, experienced, and passionate about dogs. Pam is also personally warm and engaging so she makes the process of dog training fun and easy to follow.”
  • Glenda Morris, Fair Oaks, CA: “Pam came to our home to begin training our new puppy and also work with a couple of issues with our 4 year old labrador. She gave us the option of 3x a week training for a set price or lessons as we needed them. Since we have had several dogs, she felt that we would be able to train the puppy ourselves with assistance from her. She did not pressure us to purchase the more expense package training. She gave me advice on how to work with the puppy in a kind and non-threatening manner. She is kind and patient and very informative about issues with dogs. You can always email her with questions or concerns.”
  • Patti Seastrom, Sacramento, CA: “I tried the very simple techniques you advised and they worked immediately. Betty successfully enjoyed our chihuahua house guest for three days without incident or disruption in the house. Thank you!”

We've got the answers for your questions

Who are the dog trainers listed on this page?

We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.

How can I select the right trainer for my dog?

Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.

How do I ensure these trainers are competent?

All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.

Why is positive reinforcement emphasized, and what is it?

Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.

Are these trainers equipped to address specific behavioral problems?

Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.

How do I initiate a training program with a trainer?

Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.

How do group sessions differ from private ones?

Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.

Which training techniques do these trainers abstain from?

All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.

When can I expect to see results using positive reinforcement training?

Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.

Can I attend a training session to observe before committing?

Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.

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