Dog Trainer Huntsville, AL - Dale Buchanan

My name is Dale, and I am the CEO and Founder of Top Gun Dog Training. In 2008, while living in Florence, AL, I rescued this amazing 3-month-old Lab Husky Mix named Spaulding.  After working with many top dog trainers in AL and FL and using the tools learned to train Spaulding, I took several professional Dog Trainer Courses and created Top Gun Dog Training. I specialize in training puppies starting at 10 weeks old. 

I am the host and producer of the Puppy Talk Podcast. My books, The Complete Puppy Training Manual and Potty Training Your Puppy, are available on Amazon 

I specialize in  Puppy Obedience Training and have successfully trained over 1000 puppies in my career through my highly successful puppy training program. I love working with people to help them raise a happy, healthy, and obedient puppy.

I regularly contribute to many national publications, providing my expertise for articles, news stories, and blog posts. You can see all of my contributions on my Press page.

My training methods combine classical and operant conditioning, primarily positive reinforcement.  I follow the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) Effective Behavior Intervention Policy, as explained on this page here.  

Methods I Use For Obedience Training:

• Positive Reinforcement - Good behavior, followed by a reward
• Clicker Training - Marking a behavior with sound, followed by a reward.
• Relationship-Based Training - Using dog communication (not words) to strengthen the bond

Methods I use for Behavior Modification:

• Desensitization 
• Counterconditioning
• Differential Reinforcement

About Top Gun Dog Training, Dog Trainer Huntsville, dog obedience training, 

I have earned a CDTK (Certified in Dog Training Knowledge) through the Master Course, as well as a Certificate in Dog Training and Behavior through the Core Skills Course at Catch Canine Trainers Academy.  

I have completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course with Michael Shikashio - Certificate of Completion in August 2020 from AggressiveDog.com

As an AKC CGC Evaluator, you may administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), AKC Community Canine (the advanced level of CGC), Urban CGC, Video Home Manners, and Trick Dog tests. You may also complete the process to become approved as an AKC Temperament Test (ATT) evaluator and AKC FIT DOG Instructor.

To learn more about AKC's most popular test, the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), click here.

• Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior Problems with Ian Dunbar - November 2023
• Out of Control Dog Summit - Feb 2023
• The Aggression Constellations with Suzanne Clothier  - Feb 2023
• The Science of Aggression with Dr. Kristina Spaulding - Sept 2022
• International Dog Trainers Winter Summit - December 2020
• Aggression in Dogs Conference - October 2020
• Working with Fearful Dogs - webinar taught by Teoti Anderson - Sept 2020
• Noise Phobia - webinar taught by Lore Haug - Sept 2020
• Dog Trainers Coaching People Virtual Summit - Certificate of Completion - August 2020

Dale Buchanan, Dog Trainer in Huntsville, AL is the puppy training expert with the following credentials:

• Awarded The Best Dog Trainer in Huntsville, AL in 2023 - see details here
• Recently featured on Fox54 News in Huntsville
• 3 Best-Selling Books on Amazon
• 144 Five-Star Google Reviews 
• 48 Five-Star Facebook Reviews
• 17 Five-Star Yelp Reviews
• Host of the Puppy Talk Podcast
• Written 85 Articles on the Blog
• Over 1500 videos on Social Media
• Dozens of contributions to other articles
• 15 Years Experience
• Trained over 1200 puppies
• Professional Dog Training and Behavior Certification
• Numerous Continuing Education Certifications

About Top Gun Dog Training, Dog Trainer Huntsville, dog obedience training

If you have any questions about our services, please use our Contact Page.