Compassionate Experienced Dog training
A WELL TRAINED DOG IS A HAPPY DOG.
Compassionate Experienced Dog training
A WELL TRAINED DOG IS A HAPPY DOG.
About Blue Collar K-9 Training Center
Blue Collar K-9 Training Center is built on one simple idea:
calm leadership creates balanced dogs.
My name is Patrick Lavallee. I’m the owner and lead trainer, a second-generation dog trainer with over 25 years of hands-on experience working with dogs and the people who live with them. I’m also a certified professional life coach, because I’ve learned that lasting change — in dogs or people — starts with clarity, consistency, and leadership.
Most behavior issues aren’t caused by “bad dogs.” They come from confusion, lack of structure, and unclear communication. My approach focuses on building a strong foundation through exercise, obedience, structure, and guidance that helps dogs feel secure and confident.
Yes, we train dogs here.
But more importantly, we help
people learn how to lead.
When leadership is clear, stress goes down, communication improves, and behavior follows naturally. That’s why our training doesn’t rely on gimmicks or quick fixes — it’s designed to create real, lasting change that works at home, not just during training.
Reliable and Trustworthy Caretakers
When you live a busy life, it is hard to consistently provide the attention and care that your pets can demand. With years of satisfied owners, you can rely on us to train your dog as well as your family. At our state licensed and inspected facility we apply a balanced approach letting the dogs individual personality and unique needs guide the way.
Our Cornerstones
Our program includes more then just obedience training. We also focus on manners, exercise and socialization. We are dedicated to creating a sense of stability and balance. By doing so we can achieve both obedience as well as behavioral goals.
Contact Us
207-877-7203
bluecollark9@yahoo.com
41 Pattees Pond Road, Winslow, Maine 04901, United States
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BLUE COLLAR K-9 TRAINING CENTER
The Foundation System
People Training First. Dogs Follow Naturally.
CORE PHILOSOPHY (READ THIS FIRST)
Dogs do not need more love.
They need leadership, structure, and clarity.
At Blue Collar K-9, we train dogs by teaching people how to lead.
Behavior does not change until leadership is established.
Everything we do is based on balance:
PUSH / PULL PRINCIPLE
- Push with structure, discipline, and clear expectations (respect)
- Pull with affection, attention, and praise (trust)
- Balance lives in the middle
Too much push = fear or shutdown
Too much pull = chaos and disrespect
Balance creates calm, confident dogs
WHAT THIS PROGRAM REALLY DOES
This program does not magically “fix” dogs.
It:
- Builds a foundation
- Teaches the dog how to follow
- Teaches the owner how to lead
- Creates calm through clarity
Your dog’s long-term success depends on what YOU do after training.
THE FOUNDATION (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
Every balanced dog needs these five things, in this order:
- Exercise
- Socialization
- Practice of Obedience
- Behavioral Expectations
- Clear Communication (Corrections & Praise)
Behavioral problems almost always come from weakness in one or more of these areas.
1. EXERCISE (CALM FIRST, THEN FUN)
Exercise is not optional.
It is how dogs release anxiety.
Best Exercise:
Structured leash walking
Why?
- Dog is physically active
- Mind is calm
- You lead pace and direction
- Dog follows
This is leadership in motion.
Other Exercise (Supplemental):
- Free play
- Playing with dogs
- Frisbee / fetch
- Scent work
- Exploring
But none of these replace walking together correctly.
2. SOCIALIZATION (CONTROLLED, NOT CHAOTIC)
Socialization does not mean “play with every dog.”
A well-socialized dog:
- Can be calm around other dogs
- Can tolerate space
- Can play appropriately if desired
Rules:
- You control the interaction
- Start on leash
- Release only when calm
- Never force interaction
- Stop dominant or pestering behavior
Security comes from you leading the situation, not from the dog figuring it out alone.
3. OBEDIENCE (PRACTICE, NOT KNOWLEDGE)
Obedience is a language, not a trick list.
The goal is not knowing commands.
The goal is listening and responding.
Practice Guidelines:
- Short sessions (5–10 minutes)
- Multiple times per day
- End on success
- Everyone in the household participates
High-frequency, short-duration training builds focus without frustration.
4. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS (HOME STRUCTURE)
Dogs need rules before problems happen.
Teach the dog to WAIT:
- Doors
- Food
- Getting out of the car
- Meeting people
- Starting play
Waiting teaches:
- Patience
- Impulse control
- That you control the activity
Personal Space Rules:
- No jumping
- No climbing
- No blocking movement
- No leaning or pinning
- Affection is by invitation, not demand
5. CORRECTIONS (COMMUNICATION, NOT PUNISHMENT)
Corrections are information, not anger.
They redirect focus back to you.
Four Levels of Correction:
- Verbal – calm, firm “NO”
- Verbal + Body Language – posture, eye contact
- Physical – quick leash correction (redirect, release)
- Removal from Pack – 5 minutes, calm reset
Rules:
- Never use emotion
- Never overcorrect
- Never use the dog’s name
- Use the least energy needed
- Never punish — redirect
Never bite when you can growl.
AFFECTION & ATTENTION (PULL)
Affection builds trust — but only when timed correctly.
Give affection ONLY when the dog is:
- Calm
- Secure
- Respectful
Never give affection when the dog is:
- Over-excited
- Nervous
- Anxious
- Demanding
Affection at the wrong time reinforces the wrong mindset.
You initiate affection.
You end affection.
LEADERSHIP CHECK
Ask yourself this daily:
“Is the dog responding to me — or am I responding to the dog?”
If you’re reacting, you’re following.
If you’re leading, the dog relaxes.
Leadership is anticipation, not reaction.
DAILY LIVING RULES (SUMMARY)
- No free feeding
- Humans eat first
- Sit & wait before food
- Dog exits doors after humans
- No bed sleeping
- No mouthing, ever
- Toys and games start and end with humans
- Obedience before privileges
- Dog moves out of your path when asked
- Release commands are mandatory
BASIC COMMAND SYSTEM (REFERENCE)
Commands are given with:
- Calm voice
- Clear body language
- Consistent hand signals
Dogs read movement first, words second.
(Your existing mechanics for heel, sit, down, stay, and come remain exactly as taught.)
REUNITING AFTER TRAINING (CRITICAL)
This is the hardest part.
Your dog will:
- Be excited
- Remember old habits
- Test boundaries
This is normal.
What matters:
- Leash on
- Calm reunion
- No emotional overload
- Structure immediately
If nothing changes at home, behavior will return.
FINAL TRUTH
Dogs want leadership.
Dogs relax under structure.
Dogs thrive with balance.
If you meet their needs and lead clearly,
they will follow — happily.
NEXT STEP (IMPORTANT)
If you want, next I can:
- Condense this into a 3-page client handout
- Turn this into a marketing philosophy page
- Rewrite this into sales copy for your website
- Create a short “Why Our Training Works” pitch
- Build a client onboarding sequence (email + video)
Tell me what you want next, and I’ll build it clean and sharp.
That's a lot of different options and I like several of them let's start with create a short y-hour training works pitch
Perfect. Here’s a short, clean “Why Our Training Works” pitch you can use anywhere — website, Facebook, intake emails, printed handouts, or spoken word.
This is intentionally simple, confident, and non-salesy, because your authority does the selling.
WHY OUR TRAINING WORKS
At Blue Collar K-9 Training Center, we don’t just train dogs — we teach leadership.
Most behavior problems don’t come from a “bad dog.”
They come from confusion, lack of structure, and unclear communication.
Our training works because it focuses on the foundation every dog needs:
- Proper exercise
- Clear obedience
- Consistent structure
- Balanced socialization
- Calm, fair corrections
- Affection given at the right time
We teach dogs how to follow, and we teach people how to lead.
When dogs clearly understand what’s expected of them, they become calmer, more confident, and easier to live with. Anxiety goes down. Listening goes up. Behavior improves.
There are no gimmicks, shortcuts, or constant bribing with treats.
We build respect and trust through balanced leadership — not fear, and not permissiveness.
The result isn’t just obedience.
It’s a dog that understands its place in the home and feels secure following your guidance.
That’s why our training lasts — because it doesn’t stop with the dog. It starts with the people.