I am a certified dog trainer in the Black Hills area. I believe that the only way to have a well-trained dog is to have a good relationship with your dog. That doesn't mean that it is coddled and spoiled, but it also doesn't mean that it is bullied or dominated. If you show a dog that you care about its health, safety and happiness, while still maintaining leadership qualities, your dog is much more likely to do what you ask. I can and have trained everything from puppies to seniors. The sentiment that you can't teach an old dog new tricks is akin to saying toads cause warts. While it is true that puppies learn quicker and remember with fewer repetitions than older dogs, there is still a lot of potential in our precious older dogs. The training programs I create are completely unique to each dog. Some people just want a nice pet that comes when they call and doesn't jump up on guests. Other people have dogs that have great obedience training before I enter the pictures doing everything from sit to roll over, but the problem lies in the severe aggression the dog exhibits toward other people, dogs, children, cars, etc. Needless to say, we must tackle these needs differently. My training philosophy is positive reinforcement with correction and redirection sprinkled in. I would never do (or tell you to do) anything that I wouldn't do to my own dog. And I love my dog more than any animal I have ever met. As I know you probably feel the same about your own canine companions.