Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Lobato
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started professionally training dogs in 2006. I had a lifelong fascination with dogs. I would check out all the dog books in the library and read about all the different breeds and personalities. I would ask to play with all my neighbors dogs. If you had a dog I was that annoying kid asking all the questions about them. I didn’t get my first official dog until I was 16. My now wife and now mother in law surprised me with a Boston terrier puppy after I feel in love with their Boston terrier. Once I got this puppy, we named Crunk, I got all the training books, dvds, and even vhs tapes I could get my hands on to learn how to properly train him. Crunk ended up being deaf which issued a whole new set of challenges of learning to work with a deaf dog. This ultimately led me down the dog training journey. After taking many training classes and multiple mentorships I found what I wanted to do. I love having the ability to help dogs and their owners. Give their dogs full life potential and help problem solve issues they might have otherwise given up on. To this day I get goosebumps when I see a connection to owners and their dogs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Dog training can present many daily challenges. Sometimes it’s the dogs, sometimes it’s the owners. It can be difficult for an owner to hear that they might be the cause of some their dogs issues. Dog training most often is owner training. I start all of my classes with “dogs are easy, owners are difficult.” The challenges become the biggest rewards however. Once we can figure out the root cause and game plan for the dogs and their owners you get to see both sides have an awesome life. Also picking up dog poop. I don’t think people realize how much of dog training is just cleaning and picking up dog poop. We have to facilitate a cleaning living space for our dogs health. This requires daily and even hourly chores. I joke that I’m actually a professional poop picker upper that helps train dogs on the side.
We’ve been impressed with Lobato dog training, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our goal is to have well rounded dog and family experience. We offer life long support. Group walks, accountability classes, and follow ups are part of any training program we offer. My goal is to make it difficult to fail.
The group class is a 6 week program. We meet up once a week for 6 weeks. The price for that is $150. The classes stay small to make sure every dog is getting the attention they need. This is not your typical “pet store group class. We are looking for long lasting results!
The private programs are $800 (distance pending). These are done in home. This program typically goes 6-8 weeks depending in goals and where we need to be with our dogs. We go until we meet our goals for our dogs!
I also offer a board and train option for $2,500. This is the done for you program! This is typically 2-4 weeks where I take them and do a full training program. This option I update via video so you can be a part of the process. Dogs stay in home with me. This allows them to work in everyday situations as they normally would. They essentially become my dog during this training time. We do an extensive drop off and follow ups to insure the owners and dogs feel confident continuing the training once back home!
The hybrid program is a mixture of privates and board and train. We do 3 initial sessions as privates where the owners build a foundation and routine. This then leads to a two week board and train where I take the dogs and get reliability with the commands and get them adjusted to public settings! The hybrid program is $2,000.
End goal for any program is to have what I call a “farmers market” dog. This would be a dog that will follow all commands and be obedient in a farmers market setting. The programs are strict, but we develop a positive and productive relationship with our dogs and on top of them get them obedient.
All programs come with follow ups as needed and you’re invited to do our group walks and accountability classes after the programs at no charge. This is to maintain their training levels.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Patience and simplicity. I take a lot of lessons from the dogs I work with. With dogs you have to be patient. If you push to much to quickly you end up back a few steps. Ive learned to take this into my life as well. Don’t rush. Take your time and do it right. Keep it simple. The hardest thing in dog training and in life is to keep things simple. It’s easy to over complicate, but generally speaking the simple answer is the right answer.
Pricing:
- Group Classes $150
- Private training program $800
- Hybrid board and train $2,000
- Board and train $2,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lobatodogtraining.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lobatodogtraining/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LobatoDogTraining/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lobatodogtraining
