Posted By admin on February 1, 2012

Remember this important and basic concept. Dogs were domesticated to work and be a part of your family for a reason. Domesticated dogs are not social creatures in the sense that they must be petted by several different people to learn to be around people. They are social in the sense that they learn from the behaviors that their owners teach them.

Petting a dog has nothing to do with socialization. Training your dog in obedience and behavior is the method that should be used to teach them how to behave in the general public. Allow one person to pet your dog and your dog has just learned that all people should pet them. The dog cannot reason and know who to approach and who to stay away from. Not all people want to be around dogs, but because you have allowed so many different people to pet your dog, your dog now thinks that everyone should pet them.

When people visit your home, they are there to see you and not your dog.  Allowing visitors to greet your dog makes the dog think that all humans are there to see them. Petting a dog is not like a handshake between acquaintances, it’s like a hug between humans. At this point, it’s unfair to the dog when you try to correct this behavior after the fact.

It’s rude to assume that it’s okay to pet someone else’s dog, especially without permission. It’s no different than a stranger walking up to your kids and picking them up to play with them, which would anger a lot of people if it were to happen.  Your dog is no different.

You and your family should be the most important thing in your dog’s life, not the attention it gets from strangers. The whole concept of “socialization” is just another money-wasting gimmick that gives way to ill-behaved dogs and embarrassed dog owners. The only affection that your dog needs is from you and your family.

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Posted By admin on January 24, 2012

I think that “teacup” and “designer” dogs are a disgusting part of the dog world.  If people were more informed about the true purpose of this horrible trend, and the consequences that result because of it, they would think twice before considering joining in on this fad.  So-called breeders feed this insanity to a misinformed public and this business is a scam.

Sure, teacup dogs are tiny and cute.  Most people don’t realize that these dogs have their small stature due to generations of inbreeding to stunt the growth of the dog, which results in unnatural characteristics and a multitude of health problems.  The toy breeds are bred for monetary reasons only, with no regard to the health or lifespan of the dogs.  People are paying top dollar for a tiny genetic mess that will live half as long as other dogs that are not bred for this purpose.

Designer dogs are a joke these days.  Labradoodles, chugs, puggles, you name it and it probably exists somewhere in the world.  These dogs are mutts – plain and simple.  I have nothing against mutts, just call them what they really are.  There is no point to making up a name for a litter that came from a Beagle and a Pug.  This has become a silly pre-occupation with people these days.  It’s a game to have the silliest sounding dog name.  Backyard breeders are having a field day with this because they do not have to make any effort to guarantee or vouch for the health of their litters.  People are in such a hurry to buy a “new” breed that they don’t care about these important details.  Who cares?  They just bought a dorgi or a shih-poo.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that the true motivation of these breeders is to make money while someone suffers heartbreak because they bought a genetically inferior dog that has to be put down due to health issues.  Be wise and don’t fall for this.

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Posted By admin on January 8, 2012

When a dog owner has made the decision to call a dog trainer to come out and evaluate their dog, it usually means that the dog’s behavior has gotten so bad that the owner has reached their breaking point. The stress and emotions involved in this decision can cause many dog owners to pick the first glitzy ad in the phone book or webpage, which a decision that is made when someone is not clearly thinking. My goal is to prevent you from being ripped off by someone posing as a dog trainer.

The biggest scam is a paid evaluation. It makes no sense to pay someone to evaluate your dog so that they can confirm what you already see and deal with on a daily basis with your dog, and then charge, you more to eradicate and correct behavior. Behavioral issues are usually the same common issues that happen with a lot of dogs. A true dog trainer has dealt with these and does not necessarily need to come out and charge for an evaluation.

It is never a good idea to let any stranger into your home, even for business purposes. It’s one thing to purchase something and have it delivered, or to have an electrician come out and fix something. You generally know how much these services cost. When it comes to a dog trainer, you probably don’t have a clue what the charge is going to be. Allowing them to come to your house or business lets them see how and where you live. You might live in a nicer neighborhood and so your quoted price might be significantly more than another person who lives more modestly. Don’t give anyone the opportunity to scam you just because you might be able to pay more for something.

When talking to a dog trainer, keep a few things in mind. Bloodlines are not important. The price you paid for the dog is not important. The fact that you had the dog flown in from some foreign country is not important. Disclosing this information is a sign that you’ve spent a lot of money and can afford to pay an inflated price for services. The behavior is what is important and what you want corrected. Be honest, but keep unnecessary details to a minimum. Show up in casual clothes and take your dog to the dog trainer.

These are just a few tips to help anyone avoid being scammed.  Anyone can claim to be a dog trainer just so they can take your money. Minimize the risk by talking to actual clients and seeing the dog trainer in action. Get the price finalized up front and make sure that you see the dog trainer at work.

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Posted By admin on January 2, 2012

Taking your dog for a walk shouldn’t be an unpleasant experience. Take a drive around your neighborhood or visit your local pet store. It’s guaranteed that you will see a dog that completely ignores its owner. It’s pretty rare these days to see a dog that actually behaves properly in real world situations with realistic distractions.

The first and most important lesson that a dog owner and dog handler needs to learn is to walk a dog correctly on a leash. Walking your dog on a leash is also one of the simplest things to teach your dog. Only two things are required; a collar and a lead/leash. I fail to understand how so many dog trainers and people in general have turned this simple task into such a train wreck. The result of poor leash training is a dog that has learned some seriously bad habits.

If you cannot walk your dog on a leash without problems, what makes you think that you can properly train your dog to do anything else? The reason this should be the first and most important lesson is that it sets a precedent and expectations for your dog.  Without a solid and basic foundation, any additional training will be pointless and unsuccessful. This is not fair to the dog or to you.

It is important to have this skill mastered because it teaches your dog to focus on you. You are the most important thing in your dog’s life, not the food on the ground or the other dogs walking and barking close by. You should be the focus in your dog’s mind because they are trusting your to take care of them as if their life depended on it. You never know what is around the corner or what some other irresponsible dog owner will do. Dogs are not fearful animals and they should not be scared of anything. Their focus should only be on their master.

Stop making excuses for your dog’s behavior when you are out for a walk. Do something about it and train your dog correctly so that you can enjoy your time with your dog.

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Posted By admin on December 27, 2011

The purpose of dog training is to expose your dog to many different things. This includes climate and weather. There is no point in training your dog in a climate controlled environment. I think people do this because they cannot handle the heat, cold, rain or snow. You and your dog will not be prepared for inclement weather when you encounter such a situation. Real world situations do not occur in climate controlled buildings, so why should you train in one? Sheltering your dog (and yourself) only weakens the dog’s ability to perform at all times.

There is no need for doggie sweaters or other ridiculous accessories. Dogs can handle extreme weather during training sessions. Just because a dog might appear to be shivering does not mean it’s time to throw in the towel and quit training. Dogs need to work. Dogs need to move. Keeping them active in various types of weather conditions them. Just because the dog owner is hot and tired, or cold and wet does not mean it’s time to quit. Dogs are naturally wired to work but unfortunately get stuck with lazy people who cannot even be bothered to take them for a walk, let alone train them in various conditions.

Dogs, are more than a cute pet, they are not like a stuffed animal with a heartbeat.

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Posted By admin on December 15, 2011

Dog training is not a deep, dark secret that is only shared with a few elite.  If a trainer has something to hide, then they probably have some flaws in their methods and don’t have a clue about real dog training.  The secret is that there is no secret to dog training.  The basic principles are actually very simple, but it requires time and dedication by the trainer and dog owner.
 
A good dog trainer, with nothing to hide, will invite a prospective client out to an actual training session.  A good dog trainer should have no qualms if you choose to talk with anyone in the class before, during and after training.  This will allow you to get a feel for how training goes, how it works and whether the dogs actually respond.  Fancy talk doesn’t get results.  Well trained dogs are the result of hard work and proper training.  Don’t rely on “testimonials” and pre-selected people to talk to.  You should be able to observe a class and speak to any of the students at any time.
 
Group training is important because there is no better distraction than another dog.  Beware of trainers that only offer private lessons in your home.  Your dog, if properly trained, should be exposed to a variety of situations and respond to you no matter where you are.  Don’t remove your dog from stressful distractions – train them to react appropriately.  The point of dog training is not avoiding a situation. but working through it with your dog as a team. 
 
There is nothing wrong with private lessons and in-house training, but it is not a replacement for group training.  I recommend private lessons for individuals that are just starting out or need help with learning the basics at the very beginning.  Group training is the best scenario because it can vary in location and scenario and prepares the handler and the dog for a variety of situations.
 
Stop feeling sorry for or intimidated by your dog.  Stop humanizing their behavior.  Start working with your dog as a team and expect a well behaved dog.

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Posted By admin on November 28, 2011

Owning a little dog does not exempt anyone from taking the time and the effort to train that dog.  All dogs should be behaved regardless of breed or size.  Little dogs are not like cute little children, as many people mistakenly believe.  Some pet owners justify their little dog’s bad behavior by making excuses.  “He’s just being a show-off.” “She’s just really protective.”  There is no excuse for an ill-behaved dog.

Little dogs are not your children, they are dogs.  Ironically, most people expect their children to behave but let the little dog have free reign.  I feel that people humanize their dogs so much that their dogs forget that they are dogs.  Pet purses, doggie strollers, and pet clothing fuel this insanity and drain your hard-earned money.  Dogs are not meant to be fashionable or pushed around like a baby.  Don’t buy into the hype that says your dog has to wear a sweater with a diamond collar.  Remember that your dog is a dog.

Dogs should not bark, snarl or try to bite anyone, little dogs included.  Expectations are not any different between a Chihuahua and a Pitbull.  Why are people generally blind to a little dog’s behavior?  A Chihuahua can bite your leg and it’s cute.  A Pitbull bites your leg and next thing you know, there’s a petition to ban Pitbulls.  It’s obvious that one dog will generally cause more harm than the other, but expectations should remain the same for both dogs – good behavior and obedience.  There’s a misconception that a little dog needs to show everyone who’s boss.  This is ridiculous because a dog should always obey its master and should realize its place as a dog.  Take responsibility and train your little dog.

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Posted By admin on November 14, 2011

There are two things that I happen to know a lot about. The United States Marine Corps and dogs. My family and my friends rarely hear me talk about anything else. When my phone rings, it’s most likely a fellow Marine or a person with questions about dogs.

I think people that blindly call me with questions about dogs and dog training don’t understand that they aren’t going to get an easy answer. If you call me, you aren’t going to be told what you want to hear. No sugar coating. No quick fixes.  Definitely an honest conversation that will give you many options to consider. I have been training dogs for a long time and I am passionate about what I do.  Expect the truth.

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Posted By admin on November 1, 2011

It really gets under my skin when I meet someone that believes that there are different origins of Rottweilers. There is no such thing as a German Rottweiler or an American Rottweiler, although this breed is closely associated with Germany. There is only a Rottweiler.  The birth country of a dog does not determine the type of dog. Breed standards determine the classification of the breed of any dog.  A Rottweiler is a Rottweiler regardless of where it was bred and born.
 
Today it is really hard to find a true Rottweiler. They are either too big, have no drive, and have serious health problems.  These perceived differences came about by poor breeding and greed. Most Rottweiler owners purchase one for social status or other ridiculous purposes like dog fighting. Unfortunately, these dogs have been subjected to inbreeding and puppy mills so the quality of these dogs has suffered.  The end result is dogs that are discarded like trash when they suffer health problems or become too much to handle.

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Posted By admin on October 18, 2011

It is human nature to be selfish at times. This includes assuming that everyone around us likes the same things that we do. This is also true when a lot of people think of their pets, especially dogs. The reality is that not everyone likes the same things you do, including your dog.

Nothing is more aggravating than going to visit someone and you spend more time being distracted by a dog who wants to sniff, lick and try to climb all over you. You went to visit a person, not a dog. The dog’s behavior is usually excused and allowed to continue.

Allowing your dog to engage in this behavior is extremely rude to your guest. Your dog should ignore distractions, including visitors to your house. This same behavior principle also applies when you take your dog out in public and especially around children in any environment.

It is also your responsibility to ask your guest(s) to refrain from interacting with your dog. This reinforces the fact that your guest(s) is/are visiting you and not your dog, while supporting the dominant role of the dog owner. You should be the focus of your dog’s attention at all times, not a guest in your house.

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