Tips for the Pet Owner

When it comes to animal behavior, I have found that if you perceive the way of nature, then you can become one with an animal. In other words, in the animal kingdom, they have their own laws. These laws must be obeyed or they cannot survive. Take for instance a pack of wolves. There is always a pack leader. This pack leader through body language and voice inflection, instructs the other pack members. The Alpha will say when to hunt, when to eat, when to breed etc. If a subordinate member tries to challenge these rules, it is dealt with by extremely hard corrections from the pack leader or Alpha Male. Wolves or other animals do not think like humans. They do not feel sorry because they corrected hard, they do not show human emotion such as love, they have drives and instincts that guide them through life. There are no politically correct animals. This is what I mean by perceive the way of nature.

In today's world, there are too many politically correct dog trainers who are only interested in only positive reinforcement training because they have no clue on how to train and work with dogs or other animals. They are more concerned with what people think of them. The first concern should be the dog and what is best for it. There is always a balance in working with animals. Especially when training dogs. You must use correction along with praise to get a reliable well trained pet.

The concept of training a dog is very simple.

1. Show the dog what you want.
2. Praise the dog for doing the right thing.
3. Correct the dog only when the dog understands that it is not following your rules and commands.
4. Proof the dog by using distractions.
5. Repeat this many times.
6. NEVER work the dog longer than 10-15 min at a time until distractions start. If you do, the dog will get board and you and your dog will not enjoy the training sessions.

The only time a dog trainer is needed, is when there is problem behavior. What I mean is this. When you have a dog that has weak nerves, aggressive, or has an issue that the handler alone cannot handle, then it should be trained along side a professional dog trainer . Getting the dog to obey you in obedience is very simple. There is no need for a professional dog trainer. Just take your time and follow the simple rules above.

For 30 years, I have been working with people and dogs. In all those years, the most common mistake that people make is treating their dog like a human. They think that by spoiling the dog, they are doing the right thing. Many people think that letting the dog sleep with them, or stay on couches is ok because they feel that the pet is part of the family. I agree that the dog is part of the family however, there are some rules that need to be followed if you love your pet and want the best for it.

Here are our current tips for the pet owner. More tips on the way, so be sure to frequently visit our site.

1. Letting the Dog on the Couch or Bed
2. Taking The Dog To Dog Parks
3. The Best Way To Socialize Your Dog In a Safe Way
4. Bringing Your Dog To Pet Stores
5. How to Use Voice Inflections
6. Mistakes People Make When Owning a Dog
7. Choosing a Dog Trainer
8. In Home Training
9. Dog Parks

Letting The Dog On The Couch or Bed:

NO NO NO NO! This is never allowed. The dog must NEVER be allowed to be on the humans level. They are at the bottom of the pecking order. Other trainers may say "It's ok as long as it's on your terms." If you hear that from any trainer, stay away and find someone else. There is never a time the dog should be on the couch or bed even if it's when you say. Again, perceive the way of nature. In a pack, subordinate members will never be allowed to be on the same level as the pack leader or Alpha. To allow any dog on a couch or bed is absurd and any trainer that says it is ok needs to stop training dogs and find a different profession. The dog may stay at the foot of the bed on the floor, but never in bed. Same thing goes for the couch. The dog may be near the couch but on the floor. Anything else would be going against the laws of nature. So again, stay away from so called good hearted trainers that just want to compromise and do what the people want. The bottom line is the dog and its needs.

Taking The Dog To Dog Parks:

This is the worst thing you can do for your pet. When you take your dog to a dog park, you are waiting for an accident to happen. Many people say that this is a good way to socialize the dog. Not true. First of all, many dogs in the park will not be trained and have no respect for the handler/owner. They do not respond to the handler and will do what comes natural. What this means is, a possible dog fight or even worse. A dog can attack an innocent by-stander. You must always be aware of the risk by taking your dog to these so called parks. Again, this is a politically correct concept thinking that it is the best way to socialize the dog.

The Best Way To Socialize Your Dog In a Safe Way:

1. Train the dog so it understands the word "no" in case it needs to be corrected.
2. The dog must always be on a leash and never allowed to play freely. Then you will have complete control of the dog.
3. You should always ask anyone interested in letting their dog play if the dog has had all its shots, if it has played with other dogs etc. "NEVER" allow a strange dog near you, your dog, or your family. Be very cautious. If you feel uneasy, then just say in a polite way, you do not allow your dog near strange dogs.

Bringing Your Dog To Pet Stores:

There are many pet stores that allow you to take your pet in the store while you shop. This is another bad mistake. By doing this, you are risking your dog's health and safety. You do not know if these dogs have had their shots, if they are aggressive etc. The stores have no idea of what they are doing by allowing this. All they are interested in is the money that keeps them up and running. They will allow anything as long as it's good for their pockets. For instance, Pet stores who offer dog training. They are against using prong collars yet they sell them. What nonsense is this? I'll tell you why this is. It is a chain store making money and not understanding animal behavior. So remember this when you want to bring your dog in one of these stores.

The Use of Prong Collars:

For many years, people have criticized trainers who use prong or pinch collars. The reason is, people are afraid of what they don't understand. A pinch collar was invented to mimic the Alpha Dog correcting the pack or Dam correcting the pups. Any training tool can be abusive if used incorrectly. You must know how to use each training tool. A good example of what I believe to be cruel is gentle leaders or halties. Have you ever witnessed anyone using these so called training tools? The dogs head is jerked and this is not how dogs communicate. The pinch collar is much more humane. How is a pinch collar used?

1. You must put it around the dog's neck not over the head. It should be placed high on the neck and it must not be lose. It must be snug. Enough to get your fingers under it, but not loose.
2. Once the collar is on, let the dog wear it without attaching the leash. After a few hours, take it off for a while and again put it on. After doing this a few times, hook the leash up and start walking with the dog. If the dog starts to pull, say no, and tug the leash. The tug should be very gentle. A pinch collar does not need to be jerked hard. Once the dog responds, start praising saying good girl or boy. Never praise until you get the response you were looking for. Always use your voice inflections.

How to Use Voice Inflections:

1. Praise - High Pitch. Always use the command word in your praise. Ex. Good sit
2. Permission - Happy tone. When you give a command you praise, then say ok to release the dog from the position.
3. Command - Firm tone. Ex. SIT.
4. Correction - Growling tone as is Nooooooo.

Remember, dogs are masters of voice inflection and body language. So make sure you use both. All commands must be given in a quick, short and distinct way.

Mistakes People Make When Owning a Dog:

In all my years of training dogs, the biggest problem that I see with the dog owning community is the family.

What do I mean? When people purchase a dog, everyone in the family is very excited. Everyone is participating by taking the new pup or dog out, feeding, etc. However, there comes a time when that new member of the family becomes old news. So what happens? The dog suffers.

I cannot tell you how many times I have had to try to mediate to help families in regard to who should have to spend time with the dog. I have had couples actually fight in front of other clients because one or the other, does not show the same interest in working with the dog. This is why I am writing this statement.

First, if everyone does not want a dog or pet, do not get one. Even if one person out of a family of 5 shows no interest in training, it could jeopardize all the effort the others put forth in the training of the dog. Everyone in the family MUST be willing to work with the dog.

You see, dogs do not understand that there is a mother, father, sister, brother. They only know that they have to survive, and they will use their own natural drives and instincts if you allow it to happen. How would a dog act if this happens?

1. The dog will not respect everyone as the pack leader or Alpha. Everyone must be the Alpha to the dog. Even the youngest child should become the pack leader. If you allow the dog to depend upon his own drives, he may listen to one or two family members however, when it comes to the person not working the dog, it will start realizing that if it challenges family members it may be able to win and be the leader. This is where trouble starts.
2. The dog may start biting and mouthing the person who is the weak link. Just like wolves pick out weaker prey when hunting, the same goes for your family pet. They will know by body language who they can rank. If this happens, you can expect a very unhappy family member because they will be picked on. It would be like a school yard bully picking on a weaker child.
3. During training, many people start off on fire. In other words, they are so into training that they can't wait until the next class. The problem is, this does not last. The husband or wife loses interest in the training and stops coming to the training class. They feel that they have learned enough or they get lazy. Then either the wife or husband is left to try and train the dog alone with no help.

Just recently, I had a client who was in that situation. She went through my advanced training class, and was very successful. She did a great job with the training. She worked very hard and the difference was amazing. So what happened? She had a lazy husband who only came to 3 classes. When he was alone with the dog, he would let the dog do anything it wanted and the dog started regressing. From day one, I warned him that he must work the dog also. However, he chose to ignore my advice. So what happened? This woman had no choice. She had to give the dog up for adoption. She was heart broken.

The bottom line is this. If you have a family, husband or wife, in-laws, etc, everyone must participate for training to be effective. Training will not work if the whole pack is not involved. Everyone must become the Alpha to the dog. DO NOT purchase a pup or dog if someone in the family does not want it. You will be doing a good deed to let the dog get adopted or purchased by another family. Don't be selfish and just think about your own feelings. Think about the dog.

If you can do the following, then by all means you should purchase a dog or pup.

1. Spend time with the pet you choose. Not just 20 min a day.
2. Feed the dog and give it fresh water daily.
3. Exercise the dog for at least an hour a day, even in the cold and rain.
4. Spend time training the dog on a daily basis.
5. Have the money to take care of a pup or dog. Vet expenses can add up.
6. Be a good leader to the dog (ALPHA)

If you cannot follow those simple rules, then DO NOT GET A PET! Dogs were not meant to sit in a back yard on a chain waiting for a pack member to pay attention to it. It was not meant to be left in a crate for 8 plus hours a day while you work. You must have extra time for your pet.

I hope this helps you and your family in your decision to own a pet.

Choosing a Dog Trainer:

So you purchased a pup or dog. Now you realize that owning a pet is a hand full. So you look online, the paper, phone book to hire a professional dog trainer. The problem is, how do you know who is good and who is exaggerating their experience?

I have been in the dog training business for over 30 years now. I have witnessed many trainers come and go. The reason is this. They have tried to manipulate the public by lying about their experience, their methods, and most of all, they lack the integrity and honesty to stay in the business.

The people that have inquired about becoming a dog trainer through my school have learned fast, that there is no easy way to learn about this business. I have built this business with blood, sweat, and tears. There was no easy road for me. However, I can think of a few so called trainers who have lied and cheated their way into the business. They have exaggerated their experience, used other trainers fully trained dogs to show the public their training skills. A good example was a couple summers ago.

I was at a trainer's facility, and when I watched her work the dogs, she made many mistakes. Of course her excuse was that she was nervous training around me because I was "ALPHA DOG"! Those were her words. When I asked why she didn't use a dog I had sold her partner, she responded by saying “I can't handle the dog, and my partner makes me do all the work". I couldn't believe my ears. Here you have a so called trainer, stating that she couldn't handle a dog, and that's why she used a dog that was sold to her partner fully trained to demonstrate how good she and her partner are. This same trainer got so frustrated when she was attending a training school, that she slapped a 10 week old pup over the nose. She was also very hard on other dogs.

With that being said, that is just a sample of bad trainers. Anyone can read a book, watch a video tape, or even mimic the almighty dog trainer on the national Geographic channel . These types of trainers should look for another profession. They can't think for themselves so they feed off other trainer's expertise.

So now I will suggest to you how to pick a true professional dog trainer.

1. Always ask for experience. If they say they studied under a certain person or school, call the person or school and talk to them to verify what their saying is true. Never take their word for it.
2. Make sure they have a graduation certificate or diploma. Also, look at the date they attended the school. Many times, they will exaggerate how long they have been training.
3. NEVER and I mean NEVER hire a trainer that says they are certified. That is a misleading statement. The only certification I know of is through APDT which in my opinion is ridiculous. If you pay them a fee, and have someone state you have been training dogs for over a year, they will give you a so called certification. That is nonsense. Another certification is through BMP. However, this is for Police Officers only.
4. If they say they are behaviorist, ask them what qualifies them to make such statements? What criteria are there to say you are a behaviorist?
5. Ask how many dogs they have trained. Not only in obedience, but all aspects of dog training. Ask how many behavioral problems they have had? How many dogs can they prove they have changed? Just because a person say's "Oh they helped me with my dog he was so aggressive". Don't let that fool you. 99.9% of people do not understand animal behavior. Therefore, it is impossible to know the dog's temperament unless evaluated by someone that knows what they are doing. In fact, the same people that were mentioned in this article could not handle an aggressive pit bull that was brought to them. When doing the evaluation, because they made many mistakes in how they evaluated the dog, it tried to bite the trainer. When this happened, the trainer bragged after he tried to pin the dog down by its neck saying, “I guess that's the first dog fight he ever lost". This brings me to my next point on how to pick a good dog trainer.
6. Stay away from trainers with the macho syndrome. These are trainers that must show they are tough guys or girls. They think by using all force training methods they are tough. They want to show off by saying exactly what that moron trainer said. If he was so good, then he would never have made a childish comment as the one he did. Stay away from trainers with the Macho Syndrome.
7. What methods and training tools do they use? Are they against pinch collars? Do they only use one training tool? Do they brag that they are gentle trainers and only use positive reinforcement? If they do, move on. Anyone who knows about dog training knows that whatever is best for the dog is how a trainer works the dog. You need a balance. A good trainer uses positive and negative reinforcement to work with dogs. A good trainer uses all tools necessary to get the job done.
8. Politically correct trainers. If you talk to a trainer who says and does whatever you want, then hang up the phone. A professional dog trainer will do what's best for the dog not the owner/handler wants them to do.
9. Wolves in sheep's clothing. Watch out! Always watch out for the sweet talkers. The trainers that are good salesmen or saleswomen. If you are a good dog trainer, your reputation with speak for itself. You do not need to spend hours trying to convince a client to hire you. They will know you by the work you do.
10. Lastly, look for what they offer. In other words, what do I get at the end of my course. Will I get tossed aside, and told that my lessons are over so I'm done? Or does the trainer have unconditional training for the life of my dog. At my training school, even after the course is over, we offer free training for the life of the dog. How many other trainers can say that? Also, watch out for trainers who are taking pictures of you and your dog in the first few weeks. This is only to brag about how many people they enroll. Taking pictures is ok, however, if that is the most important thing to a trainer, then move on.

In closing, again I will emphases that before you hire a trainer, do your homework. Don't fall for the talk and a trainer who exaggerates. Ask many questions, and if they won't answer, then move on. Also, don't be afraid to ask a trainer about another trainer. In other words, it is not unprofessional for a trainer to comment on what he or she knows to be fact. If however, a trainer makes up stories to make themselves look good, then stay away. If something is said, ask for proof. If the proof can be given, you have your answer.

In home training:

Although this sounds very appealing to the pet owner, I am a strong advocate against trainers coming to the home to train your dog. There are many reasons that are back up with facts.

In animal behavior , dogs have strong pack instincts. This is why all family members should be pack leaders. Including children. However, a trainer coming to the home and training the dog should never be allowed.

Last comment is this. Many trainers claim that they are doing this for the benefit of the client or dog. This is not true. The best way is to take the dog to a training facility and get the dog trained that way. If you are too lazy to go to training classes, then give the dog up for adoption. Owning a dogtakes up time and you mustbe responsible and not look for a magic way to get the job done.

Dog Parks:

Recently, The Town Of New Hartford has opened a dog park for the Central NY area. Many dog owners have no idea what to expect when they bring their family pet to these parks. Although I am not an advocate for these types of parks, I know that many people will disagree, and still take their dogs because they feel it is good for their pet. With that being said, here are some tips for any dog owner to follow if they do in fact bring their dog to these parks.

1. Always bring your dog in on leash. Even in an area where the dogs are allowed off leash, you must always introduce the dog on leash first. When the two dogs meet, hold the leashes loose. If you tighten up the leash and the dog feels the tension, you are sending a signal to beware that something is not right.
2. Watch the body language of the dogs. This is crucial in two or more dogs meeting. You are responsible for your own dog. So make sure you pay close attention to the body language.
3. A dog that is confident will carry themselves tall. Tail will be above the back, ears forward, and the dog will have a look of confidence on it's face.
4. A dog that is submissive will carry themselves low, ears flat on their head, tail below the plane of the back.
5. Dogs that are aggressive will display all the above but will start posturing. In other words, the dog will go into a T-position. Place it's head over the back of the other dog. If it growls, it will do so with showing just the canines or fangs. It will have a wrinkled brow and will act like a bully.
6. A dog showing fear aggression will show the above posture however, it will growl with a full mouth. Showing all the gum line. The tail will be tucked between the legs and it will bite out of fear.
7. If the dogs start to fight, NEVER get in between them. Always break a dog fight up by grabbing the back legs and pull them apart. Once the dogs are separated, turn them gently and take them by the collar. NEVER try to pry them away from each other. This will cause their defense drive to kick in. If you start hitting the other dog, you will cause the dog to fight harder possibly.
8. Always be in control of your dog by having him or her trained. This will dramatically reduce the risks of injury. With advanced dog training, I always incorporate distractions of other dogs, vehicles, noise etc. In other words, you will have control of your dog in stressful situations. At least you will have peace of mind knowing that you did all you could to avoid problems.
9. Never allow a stranger dog to approach without the owner present. The owner MUST be around their dog at all times.
10. If there is a problem, ask the dog owner to please leash the dog and take control. Do this is a nice way. If they refuse, leave the park, report the person to Animal control. Get a very good description of the dog and its owner. Never try to handle it yourself. By doing so, you will cause a confrontation.
11. A dog that has been to the park several times will think that the park is its territory. Ask the owners if they have been there before. If they say yes, make sure you allow your own dog time alone the first few times you go to the park. This will put them both on neutral territory. This will hopefully stop territorial aggression.
12. Dogs have very strong pack structure. They act upon instincts and drives when left to their own thinking. They do not reason. It is the owner who must be ALPHA. What does this mean? The Alpha is the leader of the pack. The Alpha tells the pack when to fight, eat, play etc. If you allow your dog to fight or disrespect you, it will take over the pack. There must be a correction if it misbehaves.
13. A dog that is intimidated will raise the hackles. Hair on the rump and back of the neck. Some dogs will raise the hair down the entire back. This is a sign of stress and insecurity. Again, they are pilo erecting. Making themselves look bigger. Most of the time this is a dog that is afraid. So be very careful when you see this happening.
14. It takes form 30 to 60 seconds for the dogs adrenals to slow down and come to normal. This is the stage where the dogs are learning if there is any danger. Same thing happens when they meet strange people. Never bend over a dog to greet them. Always get down to their level but avoid touching the dogs head or letting the dogs near your face.
15. If you have small children, do not let them run wild. This will attract attention for other dogs, even your own. You will kick the prey drive in and the dog will chase out of instincts. Prey is a dog chasing a moving object. Even if the dog has never bitten or chased a person, it can happen because of the movement. Once the dog chases down it's prey, it can bite out of hunting instincts and prey to try and subdue the prey object. So remember, Never let your children out of your site and run wild. If a dog starts chasing your child, teach them to stop right away. This will stop the prey instinct and the dog should stop the chase.

These are just some suggestions when taking your dog to the dog park. Remember, they are animals. No dog is perfect. So remember, safety lies in the hands of the handler and owner. It is your responsibility to keep your dog and other people safe. NEVER allow your dog in the park unless you are 100% sure you have complete control of your dog.

Good luck, more tips to follow. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.