Roc Solid Obedience

11/01/2024

Have you ever heard the phrase G.E.O. when it pertains to dogs? Well to many of us get stuck in the mind set of:
Good - Enough- Obedience.
What is good enough ?
In an emergency situation around high level of distraction with them near you or at a good distance can you recall them, stop there movement with sit, down, and have your dog stay to keep them safe?
Most almost every dog owner would answer that question with no I can't.
This should be considered basic training by all but to many think this would never happen with there dogs. To many trainers have lowered there standards for owners and try to sell off the idea of training stops with the dog "knowing" things. Knowing and being able to do them well at a distance with distractions are two different things.
ALL dogs can do these skills given the right time, consistency, patients and repetitions. We all love spending time with our dogs. But this time spent them has to go past sitting on the couch together. I see so many dogs with the potential to do amazing things and you get them there. It doesn't take as much as most think but it's not easy neither. We can get there together, I know that for a fact.

11/01/2024

~ DISCIPLINE ~

"Discipline isn't a dirty word; far from it. Discipline is the one thing that separates us from chaos and anarchy. Discipline implies timing. It's the precursor to good behavior, and it never comes from bad behavior. People who associate discipline with punishment are wrong; with discipline, punishment is unnecessary."

~ Buck Brannaman

11/01/2024

If only we could get the majority of owners to understand this simple dynamic—we’d see far, far fewer troubled dogs and owners.

Of course, the challenge is that the small stuff doesn’t look like much, and so owners, quite understandably, often don’t respond to it appropriately.

But for skilled and experienced trainers, these small things are everything. And because we understand this so clearly, and are skilled at how to properly address these moments, we’re able to not only make tremendous progress, but we can do so—almost always—without having to address the big, fiery, ugly, and dangerous stuff.

Owners, on the other hand, let the small stuff go—for the reasons listed above—but then go after the big, fiery, ugly, and dangerous stuff… because it’s so obvious and clear. And by that point, it’s either become an incredibly tall mountain to climb, or it might even be a mountain you’re unable to climb.

Think about it this way. Kids who end up in serious trouble with their parents, and often the law, don’t start out as highly out of control, wildly disrespectful, and deeply troubled youngsters happy to make a tragic mess of their lives. They start out with small actions/behaviors/boundary pushing, and the way the parents respond—or don’t—is what determines who these kids become, and what their lives end uo looking like.

While some of the dynamics and details will obviously show up differently, overall as a concept/approach/strategy, it’s the same for your dog. Troubled kids and troubled dogs come from the same place—the place where the small, but profoundly important moments are either too much trouble, or seem too benign to address. And so given enough time and repetition, they become anything but small.

10/31/2024

Head over to YouTube to learn more about prescription diets!

📺 Watch here: https://youtu.be/d7EgchermiY

Prescription diets do not contain any medications and are no different from over-the-counter products, other than having a higher price tag. Personally, I would always prefer to make a healing diet using real food.

For those willing and able to make food for their pets I have many free recipes available. You can find them on my website under 'resources’. You can also find recipes in my books.

10/31/2024

Potential new client calls me and tells me they're looking for boarding/training and service dog work. Then they tell me they're going to do therapy dog work but learned a therapy dog can't go places a service dog can. Then tells me the reason for the service dog is so they can take them on a plane, but they need NO service to help in their daily life because you have NO disability.
Then don't be upset that I tell you that you don't need a fake service dog and your dog doesn't need a boarding and training based on your application and that group class would be the way to go.
The conversation ended quickly on the phone and then they send me an emal few days later to tell me she found a different trainer... Thank god!! I don't' need clients like this. On the other hand you will always find a "trainer" (someone) to take your money even though it is for all the wrong reasons.
A rescue sent her my way, but I hope the rescue didn't know her intentions with trying to pass the dog off as a service dog.
Anyone can go online and buy a vest that says "service dog." I will say most you see in public are fake... I will honestly say Disney World has to be the worst place I have seen with so many fake "service" dogs.

10/31/2024

If you're struggling in any area with your dog ask yourself a couple HONEST questions:
1. Is my dog crazy about me and want to interact with me more than anything else? (Relationship)
2. Is the communication there? Does my dog actually understand EXACTLY what I want? (Training)
Larry Krohn

As we were talking in class this morning, so many owners thought and we told that they should take their dog to dog parks. 🤔🤔(nope) The easiest way to decrease your reliability of obedience and devalue your relationship is to have everything else become more valuable than YOU. SEE #1 above!

10/30/2024

I can’t believe it, but we are coming to the last few months of 2024.
Let’s get our pups ready for the holidays!

Group class starts next week, and we still have a few openings.

Wheaton Park District
Novice class -Sunday 9am-11am November 3-December 15
No class December 1 Thanksgiving week

Novice class -Wednesday 6:30-830 pm November 6-December 18 Wed
No class November 27 Thanksgiving week

Continuation class -Thursday 6:30-8 pm November 7- December 12
No class November 28 Thanksgiving week

Register online, in person, or by phone with the Park Districts directly

Boarding for 2024 is completely full at this time. Holidays especially book up quickly. Next major holiday is spring break, and I only have two spots remaining for that week. If you're going away and looking for boarding, contact me soon as things will book up by January.

Boarding and Training are now full till February 2025. I will open spots for next year soon.
https://r-solid.com/index.html

10/30/2024

10/30/2024

You're training your dogs at every interaction. Training doesn't start and stop when it's convenient to you, it's happening regardless. You might as well take the extra time and consistency to make sure you're giving the right information on what you want.

10/30/2024

It cost thousands of dollars to open a dog up to remove objects that get stuck.. pick your dogs chews wisely.

NOT FUNNY, DANGEROUS

The dog toy aisle in pet stores kills dogs, and costs this nation a billion dollars a year.

Veterinary bills of thousands of dollars a dog are racked up as balls, squeek toys, and rawhide chews get consumed and lodged in canine stomachs, and teeth are shattered on splintering deer antlers.

I bring this up because I am reading a pretty good dog book at the moment, BUT one that reminds me, on nearly every page, about how BAD most people are at evaluating risk.

[Bonus point if you can name the book!]

Entire chapters in this book are spent ruminating about what toxin might be sprayed on lawn or food, or what harm might come from an extra vaccine, but this man’s dogs are (apparently) unfenced in a world of cars, bears, buffalo, and hunters.

What happens when that dumb dog finds a pool of anti-freeze?

And there’s 20 soft toys, each with a squeaker, waiting in a basket for that new puppy?

Oof.

I’m sure it will all work out.

But risk analysis? I think he’s doing it wrong.

10/28/2024

10/28/2024

I can't love this enough.... soooo many dogs on anxiety medication for 0 reasons. Vets and beyond handing these things out like candy.

10/28/2024

Credit: Black Kraken K9!

10/27/2024

raising a dog (aka training) to a real life level takes work. There is no quick fix's or fast results but your time and effort is so worth the life you and your dogs can have together.

10/26/2024

Training is a process and that process starts with the human end of things not the dog side of things. Too many focus just on the the dog and not the human. To change the dog the human has to create the right environment for the dog to be successful and learn.
I will honestly say this is where I get push back from clients. They want xyz from the dog but the human is not willing to do ABC to help their dog get there. Yes it will take time; yes you will have to do some work. Yes you will have to learn and gain some kind of skill set; yes you will have to change and it might be inconvenient at times, but in the end you will have a better relationship with your dog while keeping your dogs safe. There are NO quick fixes and you can't cut corners to get real life results. But none of this is dog training, nor will it change behavior in long term. Causing you to manage your dogs for life.

10/26/2024

TEN COMMANDMENTS or TEN SUGGESTIONS?

Different people have different needs, different dogs, and different breeds.

Most of the time folks are going to be fine with a “strong suggestion” to the dog, but….

There are times when it’s has to be a *commandment*, and not a suggestion, and that’s especially true when the dog is off-lead.

This is why proofing is so important — but it has historically been quite difficult.

Proofing is much easier now with e-collars, but it’s still constant repetition in the absence of a leash.

Rudd Weatherwax was the trainer of the first Lassie, and he could never get the dog to stop chasing motorcycles — which is why Lassie was abandoned to his care in the first place.

Lassie was Weatherwax’s training failure!

The good news is that today, any competent dog trainer can quickly — and gently — break a dog from such maladaptive behavior.

The good news is if you need an off-lead behavior to be more than a forceful suggestion, it’s never been easier — even if it still takes time and repetition.

10/25/2024

Leadership—meaning structure, rules, accountability, clarity of what’s expected, what’s allowed, what’s not, vigilant advocacy, and the ever present guidance of how to best navigate this world—isn’t a magical “thing” which makes imperfect dogs, perfect. Perfect dogs don’t exist, regardless of what’s shared. But when it comes to helping dogs become their best, it is the closest “thing” to magic that you DO have to offer.

I’ve seen enough dogs, and am skilled enough in the implementation of what I’ve listed above to be able to confidently share that leadership is indeed a profoundly transformative exchange between human and canine, and its ability—when engaged in properly—to positivity affect a dog’s behavior, as well as your relationship, is something magical to behold.

That said, there are no magic fixes in the canine world, just as there are none in the human world. All we have are what works best; and if you’re looking to help your dog find his or her best, leading them—in a healthy, loving, but firm fashion—is the greatest gift, and the best guarantee you can offer your dog, and yourself. ❤️

10/25/2024

Replace horse with dog.... read and read again!!!!!!! Training is a process. There is no quick fix and there is NO dog trained in weeks

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was to trust the process. What’s great about the Method is if you follow it step by step, it all comes together, and when it does, you end up with a really nice horse. There are days you’ll get frustrated by what feels like a lack of progress, but if you trust the process and work consistently with your horse, it all falls into place. – Method Ambassador Chase Tipton

Learn about Chase's passion for horsemanship and how he can help you and your horse on his website ➡ https://www.certifiedclinician.com/clinician/chase-tipton/

09/22/2020

Back the Blue

09/22/2020

One mistake owners make is not stepping into the role of trainer for their dog.
One essential mistake dog owners make is not understanding that as soon as they get their puppy, they automatically step into a place of role model and teacher. Even when relying on a professional for training, your dog looks up to you all the time!

09/18/2020

K9 Command

This is why clients have to practice and create muscle memory in their handling skills. Just because i can do it with your dog doesn't mean you can.

Consistent handling

09/18/2020

People talk about having a relationship and trust with their dog. Yes, that's important but to get that you need a few other things first.

1.) Correct Mindset for human and dog
2.) Engagement- your dog’s undivided attention
3.) Structure- rules, consistency, reliable, fair, clear communication,
4.) Obedience- commands that help us communicate since they don’t talk human and we don’t talk dog. This goes for things we want and don’t want
5.) Of course, having fun and loving our dogs while doing all doing this. Most people think just because you have rules, commands and so on you can’t have fun and love on your dogs. This is the farthest thing from the truth.

A balanced relationship and trust are built upon all those things.
It's so great to have a dog that can go anywhere. They can be around kids, people, strangers, and unknown places.
To get this you must be willing to put in the work!