About Desert Cove K9
Many people do not have the tools, know how, and temperament for puppy & dog training
I was once a frustrated dog owner. I thought I had to manhandle my dog. Yelling and using a strong voice and strong hand.
This got me nowhere. Gripping the leash tightly and wrapping it around my hands, when others approached. This did not help at all. I wanted a behaved dog and for me to be quiet and confident with my dog. I created the opposite.
I needed a very different approach. I studied dog behavior and psychology and started to listen to my dog… Boomer. He and I worked out a better way. He helped me to understand how dogs work and I began to see how Humans work in relation to dogs. Over many years I have developed a method that creates a connection between the dog and myself. This connection comes from leading the dog with a calm assertive approach, a light touch, giving the dog confidence, and a foundation layered for success.
Understanding that dogs are simple and we the human are complicated is where I begin. We hold on to the past and worry about the future. Dogs do not. They do not lie. They reveal the issue at hand. They live in the moment, thus, we can help them change their state of mind, slowly, to accept a more calm and balanced existence.
Matt Small
Dog Trainer
my methods
I am a Calm yet assertive individual. I am Calm in almost all situations. I wasn’t always this way. But it is the only way to help a dog have the right state of mine. This has given me an edge in my ability to work with and train dogs. A dog responds to calm energy. My demeanor and methods help to change the state of mind of a dog. Yelling and screaming at a dog does not work, as the dog hears that as barking and an excited anxiety ridden Human. The Leader is the quiet one. The Leader can tell others to follow instructions in a calm assertive way without raising the voice level and creating undue anxiety.
I train with a light hand. All my corrections are slight. One tenth of a second to change years of unwanted behavior. I use correction not punishment. I am a yes – no, pressure on pressure off trainer. I first show the dog what I want and then help the dog to achieve success. Once the dog understands the process then I guide the dog to make good decisions and help him to gain confidence. At this point, I give praise for a good decision and job well done. I use my own body language and energy to communicate with the dog. The goal is for the dog to be calm, confident, obedient and balanced. To help achieve these goals I have the use of some tools.
I have tools to help my calm energy to achieve the best outcome in changing behavior or teaching obedience. I use the best prong (pressure) collars (Herm-Sprenger). When fitted properly, a prong collar is designed to distribute pressure evenly around the dog’s neck, there is not one constant pressure point to harm your dog’s windpipe or dig into the skin. With a prong collar I can also effectively eliminate tension and regain a dog’s focus much more easily and clearly when a dog is in a heightened state. A prong collar provides an effective and fair interruption to conduct conversation with our dogs and give them information.
I also use E Collar Technologies Mini Educator e-collar. The e-collar gives off a “stim”, similar to treatment a chiropractor will use on tight muscles. The remote collar has levels from 1-100 so I can micro set it to the lowest level the dog can feel (working baseline). Both these tools help me to utilize “pressure on pressure off” to train and get results. Using the e collar correctly, at low levels is the most effective, and reliable training tool. It helps the dog, even fearful dogs, develop the confidence to complete tasks by relating a stim to a command, without a leash.
I rarely use treats when training. In some instances with specific issues I may use the dogs own food to help distract with certain behaviors.
what you’ll learn
Most people do not have the tools, know how, and temperament to command a well-trained, obedient dog. I will help you to become a Calm Assertive Leader and your dog become a calm submissive follower. I need to change how you see yourself and in turn see your dog. I do not judge but rather will point out observations, so you can then realize how your behavior is affecting your dog. Yes, we will have much to discuss.
Structure
Rules, boundaries and limitations
improved relationship with your dog
your role as Calm assertive pack leader
Contact Me
If you think I am the right fit, and what you have read is to your liking and want to change how you and your dog relate to each other and your family, then fill out the contact form and let’s get started!!!
testimonials
What You Need When You’ve Thrown in the Towel – A Miracle Worker!
Matt trains both parents and their pups – this is essential — you lead and they follow. He gives you the bare essentials to raise a healthy well-balanced dog and as Matt says “enjoy your dog rather than have to deal with him.” If you don’t know what to do anymore, you’ve tried everything, call Matt, cause he will turn it all around within hours. Within those few hours, our 1yr old miniature schnauzer, Zen, seemed like a new puppy. Now we can leave the house on a walk with confidence instead of hiding from the world to avoid loud, embarrassing barking and resource guarding! Thank you, Matt!
Awesome experience
Matt was recommended by my husband’s coworker and she called him the dog whisperer! I was kind of skeptical at first thinking like how can he just work with a dog for a short period of time and get them to obey. Well I was completely in shock how he DID it my dogs responded so well and he was able to teach my 5 month old golden/lab to sit stay down come and to not jump on the counter in a matter of hours and it’s still working. With his knowledge it’s helped me more assertive towards my dogs. ! Thank you for changing our pups and my kids loved helping with the training you made it very easy for them to follow along!!
4 month old puppy
Matt came over and changed the way my puppy Shelby lives. From a playful jumping and only know the command “sit”. In a few hours he had Shelby on a leash staying on place for hours at a time, walks by my side with and without leash and keeps eye contact, and many other commands. Very helpful would recommend Matt to any one with a dog that is obeying or not.
Romeo
After 1 day, our crazy Romeo is going to his place without a leash and just on command. It is crazy how Matt changed our world in 2 hours. We’ve got a ways to go but now have the tools and knowledge we need to make our family pet an enjoyable member of our family rather than a risk factor.
Thank you Matt (and our friends who recommended!)
Leia
Matt was so instrumental in the balance that we see with our pit bull mix rescue dog. At 10 months old we knew we wanted to start out on the right foot with her so that she had manners among other things. Matt spent three hours at our home but it did not end there. Each and every time I had a question, doubt, etc. he was there by phone or email. Not only have we seen incredible results with Leia, but it also gave my daughters (ages 12 and 9) the confidence and ability to also work with her. He also personally called to tell us how proud he was of all of us when we updated him on Leia’s progress. Leia is doing amazing and is very well balanced and is now able to start therapy dog training because of her solid foundation that Matt helped us with. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Matt for years to come. Thank you Matt!
Audrey
Audrey is a 4 month old Australian Cattle Dog mix, 2 hours after Matt left my house, I texted him the following and felt the need to share it with all of you here on his website. He is wonderful and his methods work…
“I just took her out in the backyard and she went potty and came inside while listening beautifully!!! She wanted to get on the couch, but I didn’t let her. Instead, I took her to her bed and said “place” and she laid down and is happy there. I was even able to walk to the kitchen to get something from the counter and she stayed put. I’m shocked by such a quick transformation!!! ?Thank you for everything today!!!“
Zoe
Matt is amazing! As first time puppy parents to Zoe, we had no clue what we were doing and struggling with everything! One session with Matt is all it took to get back on the right track towards a well-behaved, well-mannered, house trained pup. Matt did such a great job educating us on how to build a better, healthier relationship with Zoe and we could see a difference in her behavior and demeanor immediately. We feel empowered and are much less frustrated. THANK YOU, Matt for the time you spent with us, and for your continued support even after our training!
Jeffrey
Matt was absolutely amazing!!! It took him no time before Jeffrey was submissive and on command. I would recommend Matt to everyone who has an out of control dog. I now have been given the tools needed for an obedient dog. Thank you Matt!!
Excels in educating the owner
Matt is not only a great trainer of dogs, he excels in educating the owner. I have personally seen him spend only 15 minutes and improve the quality of behavior expectations in all kind of dogs; large 175 lb. Irish wolfhound, and 9 lb. yippy Yorkie. If it wasn’t so cliché, he is truly a dog whisperer. His understanding of dog behavior is the basis of his teaching and training. His mild manner is easy to understand and implement. If you have ANY dog behavior problems I would highly recommend Matt. After only a few minutes, you will be sold on his unique talent.
Trainer for years
Matt has been our trainer for years. He has taught us to be calm pack leaders and helped our Boomer to understand his place in the family. We have a happy lovable dog and harmony in our home.
Couldn’t be more pleased
What can we say. After 50 years of having all breeds of dogs from mutts to Dobermans to Great Danes we thought we knew it all. Two years ago we lost our Irish Wolfhound and immediately replaced him with another Wolfie (this time a female). LoLa Pearl is the most wonderful dog and loves both people and all animals as well. She loves them both so much that she has a tendency to lunge when she sees someone approaching to love on them. Matt happens to be our neighbor and offered to help. After only one session she is a new dog. We work with her every day practicing what we learned from Matt. We couldn’t be more pleased and grateful!
Whiskers was a different dog
My Vet provided Mr. Matt Small’s name as a dog trainer. I adopted Whiskers, a six year old neglected mixed breed, dog from a shelter.Whiskers is very intelligent but barked a lot, and needed basic refresher training: an open door meant escape , did not like a collar placed over her head and basic commands. Mr. Small’s first visit was on December 2nd and there were two more visits. I am a senior Citizen and have had dogs all my life ( and I am retired Law Enforcement) . I have tried dog trainers in the past, with very mixed results. I also realize that most of dog training is training the human. Mr Small was excellent. After the three visits, Whiskers was a different dog. Barking was much less, the door became a barrier not an invitation to leave and basic training was working. I recommend Mr. Small for dog and Human training.
His Philosophy and Rationale made sense
My girlfriend Emily and I rescued Sasha, a three and a half year old pit bull / sharpei mix the second weekend of December. We knew that with a rescue dog there would certainly be challenges, but we did not know what kind laid ahead. The first thing we noticed was she was full of energy, and very loving. She was always jumping up on us and our friends. On walks she was ahead of us and pulling us the direction she wanted to go. Putting her in a crate was nearly impossible, as she’d immediately whine and bark. She didn’t respond to commands other than sit, and only when she wanted to. Oh, and if the door were open, forget it. She’s gone. We are lucky in the sense that she is not territorial and never has growled or become aggressive toward any person, but she cannot be around other dogs (we fear she was attacked or mistreated in her younger days). We were referred to Matt through the daycare service we use for Sasha. He told us he wasn’t a traditional trainer, but his philosophy and rationale made sense to us. He spent about three hours with us on a Saturday afternoon, going through everything from basic commands, proper walking, crating, and feeding. Essentially, in Matt’s words, we taught Sasha manners and the things she’s never been taught before. We have been able to unlock her intelligence and make it better for not just us, but for her. He teaches you corrections to help your dog, the way to use them, and more importantly why he does what he does. The journey is nowhere near complete, but it’s a complete 180 from where we were before Matt walked through our door. He’s calm, patient, and thorough. He gives you the opportunity to not only learn his methods and make them work, but to learn about your and your daily lives and how you want to live with your dog. We look forward to continuing to work with him, and cannot express enough how thankful we are to have been introduced to him. If you’re looking for somewhere to turn with your dog, he’s your answer.
We became the Alphas
Our three year old Havanese was becoming difficult to take on walks. He would lunge at cyclists, runners, and show aggressive behavior towards other dogs. As snowbirds renting a condo in Phoenix, we knew he’d bark if we left him alone in the condo. He did well at the daycare we’d use if we were going to be gone for the day. I shared our concerns with Jessie at Doggie Suites and she gave me Matt’s card. He came to our condo and spent an afternoon working with us and our dog. We became the Alphas in the household and with practice and consistency we changed the dynamics of our household. Two cyclists said “great dog” as Jack ignored them riding by us. One struggling dog walker commented on Jack’s model behavior. We couldn’t be more pleased and happy about the help Matt gave us. Our winter in Arizona has improved greatly.” We mean every word of this and more!
I have the tools
Matt was so helpful and methodical in teaching me how to properly communicate with my 5 month old puppy! I’m so much more relaxed knowing I have the tools and know how to help me and my puppy have a well balanced and enjoyable home and life together! I highly recommend Desert Covek9!
Tremendous Improvement
After just a 2 hour session with Matt, we have seen a tremendous amount of improvement in both of our dogs behavior….For the life of us, we couldn’t manage to get our little Nina [15 month Pom chi] to come when leaving the dog park…We literally would need the assistance of 3 or 4 bystanders to capture her…It’s been a week since our training session with Matt, and we are happy to report 5 out of 7 exits of the dog park, have been a success…The only reason for the 2 failures was us not adhering to the procedure Matt taught us…Each day we have overall improvement with our dogs which includes, walking by our side, not in front, no more unnecessary barking and just an overall calmness in both of our dogs and in our home….Truly amazing !!! I would definitely say Matt teaching us how to understand our furry little friends and vise versa, is and the greatest gift one can give to enhance the lifetime with your dog….
She was a Different dog
Riley, my maltipoo, absolutely loves Matt! He has a strong and confident demeanor that makes her follow and listen to his commands. After one hour she was a different dog. We are looking forward to more sessions with our favorite trainer!
Going soooo well
Hey Matt, it’s been going soooo well. Like 2 different dogs. Can’t tell you how much we appreciate your help.
Absolutely Amazing
Matt is absolutely amazing, he exceeded any expectations I had when I first called. He used calm, assertive energy, patience and gentle direction with Sasha (1yo mini labradoodle) . He took the time to explain what he was doing and why he was doing it. Within 10 mins of him being at my house, I had a different puppy and felt that she respected me as the alpha. He followed up with me a few days later and answered any questions I had. I would and have recommended him to everyone. Matt, thank you for giving me the tools I needed.
