"The best trained pets make the best companions for all aspects of life."
EXPERIENCE that you can count on
Good Shepherd is nationally recognized in animal behavior and dog psychology. Due to our extensive knowledge we were asked to be the leading canine behaviorist in both the O.J. Simpson Trial, as well as the San Francisco Mauling Case. We have been interviewed on all the leading news channels and with the aid of the discovery Channel created a documentary titled “dangerous dogs.” We have attended numerous police expos and helped the United States Postal Service create training videos and protocol for postal carriers addressing dangerous dogs. Leading into developing the state regulated Dog Laws of California as one of America’s leading experts.
Article from The Daily Press February 7, 1996
They served as canine behavioral experts during the O.J. Simpson murder trial, appearing on CNN. They have trained dogs to sniff out bombd for the governments of Mexico and the Middle East. Some of their clients have included Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Meet Wes Patterson, Owner & Trainer of Good Shepherd's K-9 Academy. THE GOOD SHEPHERD Jason. is seated on a lawn chair, chatting with business owner Wes Patterson about the violence in Israel. But how can these two high desert men help promote world peace? As a graduate of Germany's State Certified International Anti-Terrorist K-9 Training School, Wes is a world recognized consultant to foreign and domestic governments including Germany, Saudi Arabia, Korea and Mexico. "Right now we're working with Israel, training our animals to search for bombs in cars, buildings and plaines." Surrounded by several lonely dirt roads, the Good Shepherd Dog Training facility stands out from its high desert neighbors with Kelly green pastures of lush grass. Several kennels surround the facility, complete with platful yips and barks of its inhabitants. Wes and Jason met about five years ago during an international competition for Schutzhund, a sport for serch-and-rescue, narcotics and protection dogs. At the time, both men were national tracking champions, representing America in the world championships. According to Wes, teaching a dog to search out drugs, bombs and people is an elementary task. "It's very simple, we work with the natural instinct in the dog, which is to search for food. They can smell something that might be 100 feet away and just zero in on it." After competing for several years, Wes decided to open his own dog training facility and so the Good Shepherd Dog Training facility was born. In addition to working with international governments, Wes also works with the general public. Customers can bring their dogs for gaurd or obedience training, or purchase one of the compound's pre-trained animals. In the tradition of the "good shepherd," dogs are trained soley by positive reinforcement. "you wouldn't want a teacher to spank your children everytime he or she made a mistake, so why should we abuse our animals?" asks Wes. "We actually teach the dog behaviors using a lot of psychology. There is no hard correction or intimidation. We've literally created our own philosophies and techniques."
"Our totally unique style of protection training is guaranteed to be legally safe." says Wes. "It's the only one that will hold up in court. if your dog bite somebody, that person was being aggressive and had intent to harm you." Wes will take in any dog, whether it's a 10-year-old nuisance or a 15-year-old child biter. "We can take dogs that have problems around children and re-create a positive experience for them, we get them to the point where they enjoy having children around." These unique feqats are what have gained the respect of many orginizations. "Because of the recognition that Good Shepherd has been getting, we were brought in on the O.J. Simpson trial to analyze the behavior of Nicole's Akita, (Kato), and appeared on CNN as commentators, explaining the behavior of the dog." So does Wes think Kato - the dog - proved anything? "Even with the dog it wouldn't have mattered," says Wes matter-of-factly. "to (the prosecution) it would have just been a circus. It wasn't worth their time. They already felt they had enough evidence." Wes's talents have also attractedHollywood's attention. They've trained dogs for celebrities including Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Jack Nicholson and the crew of the film "Man Trouble" visited the facility in Phelan for technical advice. "Nicholson, who portrayed a trainer in the film, told us he'd never been so impressed, he had saw first-hand the incredible repport and love we have for our animals." When they were demonstrating protection work with the dogs, one member of the crew was so fearful he had to sit down. "He had no control over his body, He said, he'd never been this close to an animal with this much power." says Wes "I said, yeah - but he's trained."
MEET THESTAFF working hard for you and your dog
Wes Patterson Founder of Good Shepherd’s K-9 Academy has experience working all breeds in Obedience, Advanced Obedience, Behavioral Modification for the public, Personal Protection Training, All phases of Tracking, Protection, Schutzhund, Police and Military Training, Guard Dog Training, K-9 Patrol, Personal Body Guard Dog Training, Narcotic Detection, Arson Detection, Search & Rescue, and Assistance Dog Training. He has been seen on local California television stations and CNN, as one of America's leading canine behaviorists. With documentaries airing on the Discovery Channel and Pet Channel monthly. With our family owned and operated staff we are only concerned in the highest quality of training your dog will receive.
Tony R. Trainer here at Good Shepherd K-9 Academy has experience working all breeds in Obedience, Advanced Obedience, Personal Protection Training, Pottie Training, All phases of Tracking, Protection, Schutzhund, Personal Body Guard Dog Training, Search & Rescue, and Assistance Dog Training. Tony is also one of our two on staff vet techs. He was taught by his good friend, Wes Patterson.
Nikki Patterson Daughter, secretary, groomer and trainer here at Good Shepherd K-9 Academy has experience working all breeds in Obedience, and Advanced Obedience, Personal Protection Training, Pottie Training. Nikki currently specializes in all breeds and behavior modification. Nikki was taught by her father and founder Wes Patterson Kasey Patterson Daughter, and trainer here at Good Shepherd K-9 Academy has experience working all breeds in Obedience, Advanced Obedience, Personal Protection Training, Pottie Training, Guard Dog Training, and Search & Rescue. Kasey is also our on staff groomer and our second on staff vet tech. Kasey was taught by her father and founder Wes Patterson. Simone L. Kennel Technician here at Good Shepherd K9 Academy. Not only does Simone insures our facilities up keep, but he also work with Wes Patterson on rehabilitating dogs from past abusive owners, through our special partnership with the City of Hesperia Animal Control. Simone has extensive years of experiance as an animal care technician back at his homeland of england.
Tiffani Patterson Daughter, and kennel helper here at Good Shepherd K-9 Academy assures that your dog has the best time while it is here. Tiffani is in charge of play time for everyones dogs along with making sure all the dogshave a toy, blanket, and a good meal at the end of the day.
Thomas F. New dog trainer student and good friend of the Patterson family for years.Thomas is in training at Good Shepherd K-9 Academy learning Adavnced Obedience and Protection, a true naturaland is doing great, we look foward to seeing great trained dogs from him. Thanks Thomas for all your hard work.
TRAINING METHODS The most thorough and effective methods
Our training courses are individually designed to motivate each dog to preform at it's highest potential through constant conditioning, positive re-enforcement, and positive motivation. We condition your dog to want to behave. In-Kennel obedience training teaches your dog basic commands like heel, sit, stay, come, down, no, ok, place, and an indoorhousehold routine covering good behavior around doors and gates, proper manners in the kitchen and all rooms of the house. For any questions, or if you just would like more details about the extent of our programs, feel free to contact us to learn about what our training includes. We also condition your dog to behave out in public so that you can enjoy your beloved friend and companion, wherever you go!
In our protection programs, we will condition your dog to protect in numerous environments such as your house, your car, where you work, or any other everyday stop you might have. We train your dog just about everywhere so that you can depend on your protector when it counts. You will enjoy him in your eveyday activities.
WHEN CAN TRAINING BEGIN
To begin formal obedience training, your dog should be at least 4 months old, any earlier and your dog may not comprehend everything it is taught. Advanced off leash can start as early as 8 months of age. However, you can start dogs at older ages, just remember these are dogs that have learned how to control you and will have some problems adjusting to their new roll. Dogs that will be considered for Protection need to be at least 15/18 months or older and will have to be evaluated first in order to determine if your dog is capable of protection work. If your dog is unstable we will be unable to train him or her in protection.
FACING THE FACTS
In obedience training, we use positive re-enforcement to reinforce good behavior. Unlike some trainers that use a negative style of training forcing the dog to behave, although we have to use some correction, they are preformed in a way not to scare or intimidate your beloved friend. Nor do we have to resort to "food training" like you will find at most parks, Petsmart, Petco, etc. You won’t have to carry a pocket full of treats to get him/her to listen to you.
If the dog is properly conditioned through positive re-enforcement, he or she will want to behave.
