“With the ever increasing population density in our cities and surrounding communities the historical approach to canine ownership is no longer a viable approach.  The problems that are arising  DO NOT lie with the dogs but with humans and their changing perceptions and circumstances”. 1

Wow, what a mouthful. I would like to talk about this some. I agree with this statement but only to some degree. I do believe that the problems lies with us, the human, for the shape of things today. but I am not convinced that it is due to the population density in our cities and communities. Let me explain:

Think back in time. Think back when you were growing up with your family dog. Do you remember? Playing in the yard with your dog right there beside you. You both made army forts together or maybe it was mud pies. The neighbors came over with their dog and while you played cowboys and indians, the dogs ran and played with you. Most yards did not have fences and many times, you would open the front door to find one of the neighbor’s dogs sitting in the yard with Fido and you thought nothing of that.

Now, fast forward to the present. Look around you. What do you see? Today, everyone seems to have a fence. Many of those are actually privacy fences where no one can see what the person on the inside is doing. We wake up of a morning, let the dog out, feed the dog, and then we leave for work. Many of us travel an hour or more each way to and from work then add at least 8 hours on the job. That makes for a minimum of 10 hours away. When we get home, we’re exhausted. By the time we let Fido out again and fix dinner; all we wish to do is relax for a bit. Weekends are not that much different. Some of us need to work the overtime to make ends meet - especially in this economy of cost going up and income going down. Some of us need to get away on the weekends because we find our jobs so stressful that we need the break. Where does that leave Fido?

We bring Fido home as a puppy and we think he is so cute that we can not set boundaries and rules yet. Let him be a puppy. As he grows up, we can’t take Fido out in public because he has no manners. Then Fido is full grown. He’s strong and pays us no attention. Fido stays at home when we go places because he jumps on people or snarls at strangers or charges other dogs. How did this happen?

Many things brought this about. All of these things could have turned out better if we would have slowed down and set rules and boundaries in the beginning. Nutrition and genetics also play roles in our pets behavior but even those are more tolerable when we set rules and boundaries.

Before you ever pick up your puppy, think about how you want your puppy to behave and make a plan to make that successful. Hiring a pet dog trainer should be in that plan. Start from day one, taking your puppy with you everywhere humanly possible. Please keep in mind, you do not want to leave a puppy unattended in a car. Socialize this puppy to people, strangers and other dogs. Attend puppy socialization classes and beginning obedience class. You will want to teach your puppy right away not to jump on people. Teach your puppy how to come when he is called and how to sit. Use the sit command when you meet a stranger. Your puppy does not get pet until he sits. Do not pet your puppy while he is jumping up. Teach your puppy how to be calm. A pet dog trainer can help you set up your puppy for success and set you on the right path to enjoy your puppy for many years to come.

What brings the biggest success to raising your puppy???? Consistency. Throughout your dog’s life, practice consistently the behavior you wish your dog to exhibit. If you let your dog bolt through the door, bark constancy or chase the neighbor’s kids, that is the behavior they will learn. If every time you open the door, the dog has to sit; practice consistently, every time you open the door your dog will automatically sit without you saying differently. The next thing you will know, people will start telling you they wish their dog behaved as well as yours.

Contact your local pet dog trainer today to see how they can get you were you would like to be with your dog.

1 http://www.examiner.com/x-/x-17156-German-Shepherd-Examiner~y2009m12d10-Is-it-time-for-the-United-States-to-consider-dangerous-dog-legislation

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The Dawg Trainer is pleased to announce Moses passing his AKC WC. Moses preformed well just like PJ thought he would. Congrats Moses and Moses’ owner, Karen!

Most of you already know from my previous post about my new Labrador Retriever puppy named Force. Force turned 10 weeks old on Monday. I have been playing fetch with Force since the day I picked him up from the breeder at 7 weeks. We played every day even when in WI on a dog training seminar. We used toys, sticks or anything we could find to throw. Look at Force now with a regular sized canvas bumper! I’m very proud of him.

Socialization during puppy hood is very important. For a well balanced, happy and social adult dog, socialization needs to start as soon as you get your new puppy. You have seen me posting about Force since I got him 12 days ago. I picked Force up when he was 49 days old exactly. In the last 12 days, Force has visited the vet to make sure he was healthy; rode on a ferry boat; has been to PetsMart; training evaluations and demos; training lessons, both private training and group lessons. And he has even been to Wisconsin. The slide show below is of Force in WI at a dog trainer’s seminar: Ecollarpallooza. Force was never in danger and was able to be socialized with adults, children and dogs. Some of the top dog trainers in the USA along with a trainer from Greece were in attendance with their dogs at this conference. If you have been watching The Dawg Trainer Twitter account, you have seen pictures of Force playing with other dogs during training sessions and with a group of children. Allow your dog to walk around and explore his environment in a safe manner. Force has been able to explore the world with my guidance. This well help him to become a well rounded, balanced and confident adult. Enjoy the slide show.

Here are some pictures of Memorial Day Weekend Pet Group Class enjoying their dogs on a holiday weekend. We started out playing on the confidence course and practicing their command. We then moved on to a BBQ so the dogs could practice their good behavior.

 Brody is returning with a bumper. Brody arrived here at The Dawg Trainer a little over a week ago. Brody likes to retrieve a lot. He also likes to play keep away. Bumper, duck, dog dish or anything he can pick up he enjoys running with. Problem was, he was usually running the opposite direction.

Brody loves attention. He will bring back all retrieves for a nice “that’a boy”. Brody is now ready to join The Dawg Trainer’s retriever class on Saturdays. Brody will sit at your side and “mark” to watch for bumpers or birds to fall then run out to pick them up. He now comes running back and sits so you can take the item so he can go again! Brody is also becoming a better dog to have around. He is off lead around the property with a reliable recall and helps me do odd and end chores here on the farm. Brody’s owners are very proud of him. In the weeks to come, Brody will make a nice pet dog as well as a nice gun dog.

Meet Luke. He really is a nice guy. You can even ask Dr. Pam Echterling and her staff at Cave Springs Animal Hospital. Luke was there on Tuesday for his vet visit. Luke had blood work done and received vaccinations without even a flinch. Luke is a healthy 3 year old Rottweiler mix. He weight 70 pounds at the vet clinic but he is on a diet. He is neutered and micro-chipped.

Luke has been in shelters, foster homes and has been adopted twice already. Luke’s only problem is he loves to run. He is full of energy and is strong as an ox. Luke is now learning manners. On Tuesday, the first time Luke was let out of the kennel, he took off like a bullet and just about took my arm out of it’s socket. I worked with Luke for about 15 minutes and put him up to rest for a little while. By the time we left for the vet that evening, he was much better behaved. He greeted the staff with a smile and a wagging tail. Once Luke is finished with the training program, he will come when called, heel, sit, down, stay, place, wait, and he will know many more commands. For the person that adopts Luke, they will have free training for the life of Luke. The Dawg Trainer guarantee.

 Luke likes everyone. His last home was with a small dog and a young boy that he slept with every night. Luke will have to be watched when outside or must be in a fenced in yard to make sure he does not run off again. He will need lots of exercise.

If you would be interested in adopting Luke, leave me a post.