About
Playing Fur Keeps is a certified dog training service in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.
Casey DeKam, the owner and trainer, is an Animal Behavioral College graduate holding seven certifications, including a specialized certification for training shelter/rescue dogs. PFK provides safe, effective, gentle dog training for dogs of all breeds and puppies of any age. Training techniques are strongly based upon positive reinforcement and the building of a proper leadership structure. PFK believes in the L.I.M.A approach and feels strongly that positive punishments, even if force free, should be nothing more than last resort efforts. Although positive punishments may be employed as a last resort within the L.I.M.A approach, any corrective measures used by PFK are designed to be painless and not to induce a fear response. PFK’s goal will always remain to create a positive bond designed to fuel a dog’s drive to please those that they love and respect most.
A dog that “listens” out of fear of consequence will never be a confident and well-bonded dog. Therefore, PFK does not believe that pain has any place in dog training.
