Kalispell dog trainer on a mission to save canine lives

Hylia, a 1 ½ year-old German shepherd, sat patiently in the grass, ears perked, waiting intently for her owner’s next command.

Amanda Rehmer slowly walked away from the dog until with one fluid hand motion, Rehmer gave her the OK to move forward. Hylia trotted quickly to her side, nuzzling her leg in what could only be described as a loving manner. The bond was evident between the pair as they continued a series of exercises in Rehmer’s front lawn, where Hylia would dart from side to side at Rehmer’s command or again, laying in wait until given the cue to approach.

It seemed an effortless dance at first glance, but behind their interactions was a history of discipline and dedication — one that began Rehmer’s career as a dog trainer. Rehmer, who is based in Kalispell, operates Lorenzo’s Dog Training Team: Montana, a full-service dog-training company that specializes in training, ranging from basic obedience training to protection and guard dog work. She is the sole Montana-based trainer with Lorenzo’s Dog Training Team, a national network of professional dog trainers on a mission to keep dogs in homes and out of shelters. She initially purchased Hylia as a gift for her husband, Nathan, after his German shepherd mix passed away.

But Hylia proved to be a handful. She was constantly nipping at Rehmer’s heels and the final straw came when an energized Hylia jumped on her 1-year-old daughter, nearly nicking her eye with a claw. They were living in Ohio at the time and on a trip to the local pet store, she spotted a group of people gathered around a man and his dog who was sitting politely with a leash in its mouth. That was exactly what she needed. She got his card and soon after, he came by her house to evaluate Hylia. The man was a trainer with Lorenzo’s Dog Training Team, and as Rehmer recalled, he knew she was going to be a trainer before she did. Rehmer was working with horses at the time, so working with animals was already in her wheelhouse.

“I ended up graduating at the top of my class, I’m humbled and proud to say,” Rehmer said. The dog-training program was a month long and Rehmer approached the training head-on.

“I was in the Army, so my lifestyle was already disciplined,” she noted.

She rose at 4:30 a.m. each morning and studied until 11 p.m., and the following day, she did it all over again. She learned how to evaluate dogs, determine which training was right for them and how to work with canines that were fear-aggressive — dogs who resort to aggressive behaviors like biting when confronted with something they’re scared of, or if they feel cornered or trapped.

“If you have a dog that’s aggressive, I can take that out of the dog,” Rehmer said. “There are only four to five dogs a year that our team can’t train and those are the dogs that are so mentally far gone from some horrible, traumatic experiences in their past that they just can’t come back from it.”

One of her most prized cases was Bruno, a 105-pound Newfoundland mix who would have likely been put down without her intervention. Bruno’s owners, had unknowingly encouraged bad behaviors — he was kenneled outside and circled the property, bordered by an electric fence, like a guard dog.

“His owners didn’t know what was going on and what they were doing was affecting his behavior,” Rehmer explained. “They have to understand that they’re not in charge of any situation anymore. In our training, we take the alpha position away by opening up a verbal line of communication between owner and dog or trainer and dog.”

After four days of working with him consistently, she was able to establish a bond with Bruno and at last, he allowed her to pet him.

“Every single time I’ve been able to break through with a dog like that, I cry, just because it’s such an emotional, amazing feeling that I can help this animal,” Rehmer said. “My goal in life is to help dogs and people — and save dogs from being euthanized.”

When Rehmer works with a client, she begins with a free, at-home behavioral evaluation to determine which training package is the best fit for the dog. She often begins with teaching basic obedience, if a dog doesn’t already have those skills, and asks that all puppies be leash-broken before entering training.

“My goal is not to sell something, my goal is to help,” Rehmer said. “When I go into a home, I don’t have that idea ‘Oh, I’m going to make money today.’ I’m going to work really hard to help these guys. I love doing what I do.”

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss can be reached at mreiss@dailyinterlake.com or (406) 758-4433.

BREAKOUT

Get in touch with Amanda Rehmer of Lorenzo’s Dog Training Team: Montana by calling (406) 314-1101 or emailing amandarehmer@lorenzosdogtrainingteam.com. Rehmer is also looking for prospective trainers to join the Montana team. Training categories include: basic obedience, retrieval, utility and agility, guarding, protection, service and therapy.

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss can be reached at mreiss@dailyinterlake.com or (406) 758-4433.