A New Year of Dog Training

Wow, a new year is got a good start already on me. Mac's training is going well but one thing he does not do-come when he's called. To his ears it sounds like-catch me if you can. It's frustrating and dangerous if he ever gets loose. Unlikely but it could happen. I am thinking long and hard on this one and have come up with some strategies for helping him learn. Firm and harsh? No way. Lots of treats and love-yes and yes. I want him to run fast as he can to me. Firm and harsh might make him come but slow and submissive. I want him happy and fast. So look at the ONE THING that's hard for your dog. Come up with new strategies and start the new year off and running.

And another thought-do I alpha roll him and make him submit? No way. It's stupid, harmful to you, your dog and your relationship. And dangerous. We have a fun, working relaionship not a master/slave relationship. Isn't that what you want in your dog too?

Catching up

Here's Mac-my new puppy. A puppy was not in my future but I was in the right place at the right time and so was he. He's 4 and 1/2 months old and a Shar Pei mix. We lost our Shar Pei mix-Baby Girl in August at 11 years old. We miss her so. It was a combination of missing her and adopting out Louisa my foster dog of 6 months. Mac has met tons of people and kids and dogs. Been to tons of classes and is the best little dog ever. Except for jumping in the Explorer. Hates it. I have to lift him and he gets heavier every day. Time to bring out the hot dog training.

Summer Update

Park classes going great. I love working outdoors. Got a rain cancel for Level 3. Long time since that happened. Lots of loss-my cousin's dog passed, a receptionist at the Animal Ark's dog passed, couple of long timers in Doggie Day Care at the Ark passed (Snickers and Trixie). So sad.

Level 2 class is grown to HUGE. I'm offering a free tutoring class from 5-6 at the Park for the next 3 Mondays to help out. I want to make sure everyone gets all the help they need. I hate to see owners give up. Or switch to a punishment type training because they've lost patience. There are many things we can try if you are running into difficulty but punishment is not it.

I'm incorporating some of the principles from Natural Dog Training into many of my classes. You can check them out at www.naturaldogtraining.com Very interesting. Works with our dog's drives and emotions. And ours. Check them out.

Need more puppies in class-tell all your friends and neighbors. Especially if you are a puppy class alumni. You know how much it helped you so tell all your new puppy owner friends and send them on over. Have a great rest of the summer, I can't believe it's almost over. Enjoy...

It's so hot!

Wow is it ever hot! If there is a heat emergency during the time of our park classes-consider the class cancelled. If it is just hot-no heat emergency-use your best judgement. I don't want dogs or people getting heat strokes. Seriously. There is always next week. We will be in the park probably till Labor Day. As long as the light holds out.

Odds and Ends

Lots of stuff happening-my mom had a heart attack and is recovering, my kitchen flooded, toilet runs constantly (I'm learning way more about toilets than I ever wanted to know), electrical circuit blew, daughter home from vacation in Jersey. Whew! Makes me tired to just list it all.

Training with Louisa going great (picture above). She's ready for a new home. She goes with me to client's sometimes, attends lots of classes and is friend to all at Animal Ark. Thanks Darlene for the brushout. Thanks Steven for the walks and playtime.

Still can't believe the reports I hear about trainers still using pain to train. One account was a prong collar jerk till the dog yelps. Another is an adolescent dog that the owners have to go out and buy a shock collar for the trainer. We ask dogs into our homes-they don't ask to live with us. Would you invite a guest to your home then slap them around when they don't know where your bathroom is? Makes no sense to me. Then months down the road I get the call to undo the harm the painful trainer did. Sometimes I can. Sometimes not. Sometimes they are so shut down from the pain and stress it takes them years to recover. All in the name of training.......

Waiting for the sun

Rain, rain, more rain, drizzle, more rain, cloudy, rainy. I can't stand much more and I bet neither can you and your dog. The last time I said that it soared up to 86degrees and then I was sorry. 70's would be good and lots of sun, although I have to wear 50 spf forever because I had melanoma last year. But that's okay. It just needs to dry up so we can get our yards in order and our dogs can enjoy the outside without getting wet each and every time. Is there a sun dance like there is a rain dance? If so, me and my dogs are doing the sun dance. Come on sun, stay out longer than 1 minute every couple days!

Quick and easy way to train-GUARANTEED!

Time to post again. Seems like time goes by and I haven't posted in a while. Way busy with Therapy Dog classes and STAF classes and regular classes. I also have to say I got some interesting posts and comments on my No Shock Collars rant. I knew I'd lose a few clients over it but I'm passionate about dogs and their training. I'm passionate about the bond between dog and owner. And shock collar users need to know that it can cause long term problems down the road. THEY don't tell you about that. But I say shock away if that's what you want to do. Go unleashed about town if that's what you want. But know we have leash laws in our city and counties and townships and even in the parks. The rangers at Otto Armleder park are all to eager to pass out their $170 tickets for unleashed dogs. The only place you are allowed to have dogs unleashed is in your yard (under voice control) or in a dog park within the fences. Period.

I personally would not take the risk of having it fail and my dog getting hit by a car or attacked by a not so friendly dog on leash. They GUARANTEE it. Really? Any trainer that guarantees your dog will do this or that or will not do this or that is setting themselves up for a lawsuit. And any trainer that guarantees like that you should run fast AWAY from. Check out Association for Pet Dog Trainers. They say that also.

You have to speak for those who can't speak for themselves. We asked them into our homes.They did not ask to live with us. It is our responsibility and our moral duty to do right by them. I've been training for over 10 years. There are many methods to train dogs. Some take the high road and some the low road. Some take the easy road and some the hard road. Do what's right for your dog. Find out what your dog is good at and go from there. Don't try to fit a square peg into a round hole. Go with what is right in your heart for your companion, your friend, your best buddy.