Bio

At the turn of the century Ben Donoghue ventured to the wilds of Montana to build and maintain trails with the Montana Conservation Corps. After two years of rewarding conservation work Ben got a job at Bozeman’s local animal shelter Heart of the Valley. His passion and curiosity for how dogs learn, behave and make a living with us humans kept him in animal welfare for 18 years. At Heart of the Valley Ben was able to build from the ground up a behavior and training department that served the resident shelter dogs, as well the greater community through classes and behavior consultations. Ben has a vast knowledge of dog behavior and best training practices gained and maintained by attending conferences, learning and training with other local trainers and handling for a professional musher for three years. His greatest teachers have been the thousands of dogs to have graced his life. Ben currently lives with his wife, two human children and his three dogs, Thea the German Shepherd, Frodo the Belgian Tervuren, Ceci the Chihuahua mixture and a cat named Cleo.

Philosophy-

Donoghue Dog Training optimizes the learning of both the dog and human. Training methods take into consideration the three drivers of behavior. One being the genetics, life experiences and well being of the dog. Two is the dog’s relationships shared with their humans and other species in the household. Three is the dog’s responses to changes in the environment. Donoghue Dog Training believes that behavior happens and when we set our dogs, ourselves and the environment up for success we can increase the opportunities for reinforcement and reduce the need for inhibitors. Good training involves good habit forming of the human and the dog to enhance everyone's life and the relationship we share. Our behavior is an influential force in our dogs behavior and modifying our dogs behavior often involves modifying our own behavior.  This is achieved with clear and consistent communication and optimal observation skills. Every dog is an individual and training involves the study of the one in front of you. Donoghue Dog Training will teach you to enjoy and build trust in the individual dog you share your life with.