We can relate to your story, we, too, were dog owners with a problem
Our story
Almost all of our trainers became trainers after they themselves hit a wall with their own dogs. We had dogs that barked at the doorbell. Dogs that barked at everything, making every walk feel embarrassing and unsafe. Anxious dogs. Minor and major aggression issues. Or a hyperactive dog that practically dislocated your arm while walking down the street. We recognize it all, because we’ve been there ourselves: the frustration, the embarrassment, and the fear that you might one day have to rehome or put your dog to sleep.
We, too, tried all sorts of things back then. We visited dog schools, behavior therapists, and training centers, looking for answers. Sometimes we were successful, but we also saw what didn’t work: correction methods based on punishment, or traditional training that didn’t go beyond tricks like “sit,” “down,” and “come.” Yet beneath the behavior that was troubling us, something entirely different was at play. An emotion. A need that went unrecognized.
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WE'RE VAN STAL, THINGS RUN WITH US
That was the moment we began training to become behaviorists through accredited programs. We learned what a dog truly needs, how body language works, and what emotions lie behind behavior. The more we observed, the more we realized that many dogs are still misunderstood, which leads to problems. From that insight, our passion was born: peeling back behavior layer by layer, like an onion, and helping dogs from the core.
That's how Van Stal came to be
That was the moment we began training to become behaviorists. We learned what a dog truly needs, how body language works, and what emotions lie behind behavior. The more we observed, the more we realized that so many dogs are still misunderstood. That’s where our passion was born: peeling back behavior layer by layer, like an onion, and helping dogs from the core.
Armed with that knowledge, we founded Van Stal—a dog training school where you, as the owner, take center stage. You’ll develop the skills to guide your own dog, and we’re here to help you do that, not to take over for you. One of our students once described us as BIG: engaged, empathetic, and patient. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
“Van Stal is BIG: The instructors are COMMITTED and can really EMPTATHIZE with the situations you experience with your dog, and—last but not least—they’re PATIENT. BIG”
Van Stal method
For us, dog training is about much more than just “sit,” “down,” or “heel.” We focus on understanding your dog: his behavior, his needs, and how he experiences the world. You’ll learn to recognize his body language, help him make good choices on his own, and work together to build calm, trust, and balance. This will help you gain more confidence in your partnership, better understand what your dog needs, and handle daily life with greater calm and control.
At Van Stal, dog training takes on a whole new look, and you gain insight into your dog.
Extra services
At Van Stal, we look at the big picture—what do you and your dog need to live a happy life together? That’s why we offer a number of additional services that can help you and your dog.
Van Stal has an osteopath for dogs on site, and our team includes several nutritionists. In our store, we sell only products we believe in: Y-harnesses with a good fit, long leashes for relaxed walks, all kinds of enrichment toys, and supplements from NML Health.
We’ve even recently started offering a harness service! Stop by to try on a harness for free. Do you have a growing puppy? Then you can buy a small-size harness—when you return it in good condition, you’ll get a new one for a small fee.