‘Eager to learn’: Army Veteran turns passion for dog training into career | Local News

The training compound is located in south Killeen just off Highway 195 on Farm to Market Road 2484. There are kennels, an agility training space and several working pens. Inside his headquarters, Wright has a room for indoor kennels, a training room, kitchen, office and a welcoming space for newcomers.

What wasn’t there were nervous, barking animals begging for attention and food. All of the animals he works with are housed outside for part of the day, and brought to the indoor kennels for food and relief from the dangerous heat Central Texas has been experiencing lately.

Another thing missing is the expected odiferous encounter with waste and dirty surroundings one might find with so many dogs on the premises.

Wright believes in keeping a healthy environment for himself and his dogs. Each kennel has shade, adequate water and is cleaned at regular intervals. All key elements to help the dogs in the learning process.

“These animals are eager to learn,” Wright said. “They just need to understand what you want in order to behave appropriately.”

Wright is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1997 to 2018. His wife is currently on active duty and the couple, who were looking for a business to invest in, went with what they love.

Wright is a graduate of the Starmark Dog Training Academy with over a decade of experience training and caring for dogs.

“We use balanced training techniques to train basic, intermediate and advanced obedience, as well as clicker tricks, agility, behavior modification and more,” Wright advised.

Not long ago, Wright became interested in helping address the overpopulation of local shelters and wondered if dog adoptions were less likely to be successful with animals who had obedience issues. So, he contacted the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center to find out.

“Tremayne Wright with On Command Dog Training has been a volunteer with HHPAC for several years,” Shelter Manager Shiloh Wester said. “He comes in to help evaluate shelter dogs, assisting staff in (the) proper ways to handle behavior issues, and most recently, by offering to take shelter dogs into his board and train program to help them become more adoptable. We have been fortunate enough to have had three dogs go to On Command Dog Training.”

Wester said the first dog Wright volunteered to work with was named Axel. A male lab mix, Axel, had spent several weeks at the shelter when he was adopted—and returned. After that, Wester said, he wasn’t getting much interest despite being a very nice dog.

“He went into the board and train program in February,” Wester said. “He did fantastic, and was adopted before he graduated.”

Wester described the second “On Command” student, Willow, was a female pit bull terrier. She had spent seven months in the shelter, with no interest.

“Willow had some stress induced behaviors such as pacing, jumping, spinning and barking while in her kennel,” Wester said. “…when potential adopters would walk through and see her in her kennel, they would pass her by.”

Wester said she knew what a great dog Willow was outside of her kennel, she loved going on walks and spending time with volunteers outside in the yard, but shelter workers just couldn’t get anyone interested in her.

She went with Wright for a six-weeks training program and finished without being adopted. Willow went came back to the shelter and then into a foster home for a few weeks to continue her training.

“She was adopted shortly after and we are so happy for her,” Wester said.

Egbert was a “found pet.” A two-year-old male pit bull mix, Egbert was received at the shelter in March. He was adopted once, but returned a week later due to his behavior in the home.

Last week, Wright introduced Egbert at his facility during week four of the training. According to West, he would jump up on staff and volunteers, bite his leash and was generally very animated.

The dog Wright brought out was well-behaved, eager, but in control and stayed where he was told without complaint—and a small food reward for his behavior.

Kennel-mate, Shadow, a one-year-old medium-sized dog was also behaving well on the leash. Shadow was a resident at the Gatesville Animal Shelter for over a year. Wright believes Shadow is a boxer-mix because of his shape and some of his tendencies. When asked why a friendly, well-behaved dog like this should still be waiting for a forever home, Wright said it’s because of his color.

“People don’t often adopt choose a black dog for adoption,” Wright said. A sentiment that Animal Control Officer Crystal Cockrell echoed.

“Shadow is young, and he has had no training,” Wright said. “He gets excited and the boxer trait of jumping up wasn’t addressed.”

These two young dogs were a joy to be around. They watched Wright as he moved and spoke, always maintaining eye contact and a calm voice.

Wright says, dogs react to the people around them. If they are excitable and undisciplined it’s because the owner behaves the same way. Unless you can be consistent with training, the dog figures out that if they wait, you will tire of making them behave.

Wright also uses repetitive commands as he trains. And, it is important to continue training. Wright says there is no time at which dogs are “done” with training. “In an environment where you can be repetitive and consistent, dogs can learn the correct behavior,” Wright said.

On Command Dog Training offers a huge list of services to owners. There is Doggie Day School where owners can leave their dog for training while they finish their important list of “to dos.” and even one hour private lessons where owners work with their dogs under Wright’s guidance.

Wright can teach participants everything from obedience to behavior modification techniques.

Then there is in-kennel training, or board and train. Wright has programs for every type of situation. On Command also offers a board and train program for dog owners who are going out of town.

“Consider that your dog can learn invaluable skills while you are away,” Wright said. “Instead of paying someone to feed and water and clean up after the dog, you can come back to a well-behaved pet who is glad you are home.”

For those who are looking for a forever friend, Wester says to come by the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center, “Considering the investment that has been put into each of these shelter dog, with the training as well as the veterinary care, this is an incredible opportunity to adopt a dog that has a solid foundation of obedience and social skills,” Wester said. “All of our shelter dogs are spayed or neutered, micro chipped, vaccinated, de-wormed and are on flea prevention prior to adoption. Our adoption fee for dogs is just $80.”

Wright says he is happy to help dog owners, or potential dog owners, understand what is needed to have a happy, healthy, well-behaved pet who knows his place and enjoys your company.