Roc Solid Obedience

Roc Solid Obedience We are professional dog trainers in the western suburbs of Chicago. We offer boarding and training,

11/13/2024
11/13/2024

Cytopoint is used for itching and allergies as a monthly injection. Side effects are a problem that veterinarians aren't talking to pet parents about!

Be informed and always ask questions about medications your vet recommends for your pet.

➡️ Allergy resources: https://tinyurl.com/y6c9b2r7

11/13/2024

Dog trainers don’t possess any magic. What they do possess, if they’re good at their craft, is a highly developed set of skills. But remember, at one point they knew very little, and likely got into this line of work because they were struggling with their own dogs.

So what’s different between a skilled and knowledgeable dog trainer and a struggling owner? Yep, you guessed it, skills and knowledge.

These people that you now hire for help were once struggling much like yourself. What did they do? They developed within themselves—likely with the help of another dog trainer—what was necessary to be able to solve their problems, and now, with all that ability, they help others with theirs’.

But, and this is a big but, all they can do is help. They can share information, teach skills, coach, and root you on—but only you can put in the work to take what is being shared and make it something personal, integrated, and useful.

You don’t have to become a dog trainer, but you do have to become a skilled, and knowledgeable owner—to whatever extent needed to match your goals.

Otherwise you’ll have to settle for watching your dog “magically” excel with your trainer, and “mysteriously” deteriorate with you.

11/13/2024

Due to unfortunate messaging over the years, coupled with a lack of knowledge, and compounded by the human tendency for denial/delusion, what should be obvious and commonly accepted is anything but.

A few of the messages:
-There are no bad dogs, only bad owners. Wrong.
-Any dog can be “fixed” if you’ll get your energy right. Wrong.
-Every dog should be saved. Wrong.

The knowledge gap:
-We have a chaotic house, with lots of kids running all over, and we adopted a highly nervous but “sweet” herding breed. Bad.
-My dog challenges everyone in our family, and has bitten us all, but is great with my trainer. Bad.
-We got a guarding/working breed so it can protect the family, even though we’ve never had a dog before. Bad.

A bit of denial:
-He only bites us when we kiss/dance/move too fast/leave the house/vacuum because he had a traumatic early life. Delusion.
-She’s guards her spot on the couch, her toys, and her food, and will bite us if we get too close, but it’s only because she never had things of her own before. Delusion.
-He always growls at or bites my husband, but I’m sure he was abused by a man before I adopted him. Delusion.

Can people improve? Absolutely. Can dogs improve? Almost always. Does that mean that all fits can be made healthy and happy, or are wise? Nope. People and dogs come in many flavors, and many of these flavors work wonderfully well together, some work with certain other flavors, and some (human and dog) don’t work well at all. It’s a sad reality, but a reality nonetheless. We should be choosing the dogs we share our lives with based on an honest and informed assessment of who we are, what our lives look like, and what dog—both breed and individual personality—fits that reality best.

Ignore the silly messages, do your homework, and lose the denial.

Fairytales in dog land often end up as nightmares.

First some vaccinations last the life time of your dogs. Two not everyone's life style warrants non-core vaccinations. T...
11/13/2024

First some vaccinations last the life time of your dogs. Two not everyone's life style warrants non-core vaccinations. Three how well do those vaccinations actually work, and what are possible side-effect from those vaccinations. The idea that all dogs need yearly vaccinations is not true it's not even what is recommended for vets to follow.

We all want our pets protected from life threatening diseases, but your pet may be carrying enough protection from their puppy and kitten shots to last a lifetime?! (Just like your childhood immunizations).

Your pets may not need to be “boosted” at all, and giving more shots to an already-immunized animal is not only a waste of money, but in worst case scenarios, may cause serious immune issues of all types.

Today at 12pm ET in the Inside Scoop, Dr. Gary Richter shares what every pet parent should consider before boosting your dog or cat. Plus other key factors affecting the health and longevity of dogs and cats today: food, exercise, dental health and more.

👉If you haven’t joined our subscription group and want to learn more, just click the link below or head over to the Planet Paws page and hit the blue "Subscribe” button to join our weekly Livestreams + Archives!

https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/planetpawsmedia

11/13/2024

Teaching "Obedience " commands should have a deeper learning for the dog (and us) than a physical position.

11/12/2024

It is a human thing, this need to touch and be touched.

So many times, I will watch someone whose horse has done exactly as they’d wished and immediately, they take the relax and let down response of the horse and turn it into something else. Another thing to be borne.

Rather than rest and soak in the beautiful feeling of accomplishment, we’ll ruin everything that came before with a pat or a sudden forehead rub.

I know that I share this observation with the risk of ruffling feathers. Yes, your horse loves you. Yes, your horse will stand to be petted for hours. Yes, he’ll leave his friends and even his feed, to come and stand with you. Yes, you have built up a wonderful relationship based on love and sensitivity. Yes.

But wait. If your horse could talk—and trust me, when I’m watching his subtle but telling responses, he is—he would thank you for noticing this heroic effort he has made. He would love that you stopped and gave the long rein, or let his lead rope hang free. He would appreciate that you stopped chattering and just stood there, breathing deeply, melting into one another’s space.

He would be grateful that you behaved like another horse.

He would hear you when you silently were still and formed the thought of contentment. He would shake his forelock out of his eyes, in relief, when you suddenly got it… that this thing you do with your hands is to please yourself, rather than to gratify him.

Hey, I’m not against stroking my horse’s neck, or breathing deeply into his soft nose. I’m not saying that I never straighten a forelock, or gently clean out a horse’s windblown eyes, or that I don’t give a heartfelt hug. I am not against all shows of affection!

I’ve spent a lifetime observing horses and their people, however. I have seen much. Our need to touch, to pat, to caress, to reassure is as often a reflex action, done without mindfulness or empathy, as it is to show our appreciation. Many times, our loving hands have all the softness of a habit, a craving unmet, or a nervous tic.

I’ll go ahead and say it.

So often, when we pat our horses, or rub their foreheads, we’re doing this to please ourselves. Those little pats can be a selfish act, uncaring of the needs of others. It’s one more ask for which they must stand still. For when we stop and really watch, we’ll see that if we sit quietly and with nothing but love in our hearts, they will yawn and rub their noses against their knees. They will feel free to self-soothe, to let down their guard and to wholly relax.

I have seen that the horses who really crave the hands-on, will stand straight on to us with their heads at our stomachs. They will stand close beside us, so that we might reach that one nagging itch. They will not be mouthing at us, or looking away when we reach for them, or standing as unmoving/unblinking/unbreathing as a stone.

It is telling that when we are praising our horses, so often they try to move away…

I have written of this before. I have learned that people will get angry about my drawing attention to such a small thing. They scoff and defend themselves, they will mock this idea and call me names. So be it; I am ready.

Welcoming one’s touch is very different from enduring it and recognizing the difference is a subtle thing deserving of our contemplation, particularly as women. We, of all people, should understand. We claim that we want relationship. This is a two-way street, my friends. Being in a healthy pairing means that one’s needs do not automatically trump another’s.

No, our petting—and even, our constant chattering—is seldom about them. Learning to stand with our hands in our pockets is a self-discipline that is darned near Zen.

That said, what a beautifully soft and private moment this is, between Henry and Cait. I think it is telling that it is he who is stretching his head out, to reach her hand.

If you choose to do a Boarding and training or day training please note these programs are a jump start but the real wor...
11/12/2024

If you choose to do a Boarding and training or day training please note these programs are a jump start but the real work gets done by YOU when the dog goes home....

Sending your dog away to be "fixed" by a trainer often shifts the blame for behavioural issues onto the dog, rather than addressing the underlying dynamics within the home environment. In my experience, more than 85% of dogs sent away for behaviour modification return home and quickly revert to old habits or come back more confused and anxious than before. Quick fixes are rarely effective; a dog’s behaviour is deeply influenced by the home environment and the owner’s commitment to consistent guidance and structure.

I’ve encountered numerous clients in Saigon who sent their dogs to a training school (I will not name), only to find virtually no improvement even after many months of training—or even worse outcomes, due to the training methods used. I’ve observed (on video) distressing levels of abuse at a certain training facility, where dogs are forced to obey commands out of fear of severe physical punishment. This approach often results in dogs shutting down emotionally, losing their unique personalities as they are driven into extreme avoidance behaviour and submission. True training should develop a dog’s confidence, not erode it through fear. I have seen dogs return with severe skin conditions, fleas, ticks, and undernourished due to their living conditions. If you choose to send your dog away to be trained, make regular visits to check on the well-being of your dog, and request regular daily video updates of your dogs training.

Your dog’s behaviour is a reflection of your own approach, attitude, and dedication to teaching what is acceptable. Many owners mistakenly expect their dogs to “work it out” on their own, which is akin to leaving a 7-year-old child to make all decisions without any guidance. In both cases, psychological and behavioural chaos is inevitable.

Bringing a dog into your life is a serious responsibility, one that should be approached with an understanding of your role as a guide and leader. Unfortunately, some people adopt a puppy or rescue dog only to fill an emotional void, seeking companionship without considering the dog’s needs for structure and training. This can lead to over-indulgence and a lack of boundaries, where the owner’s needs for affection overshadow the dog’s need for guidance. Initially, this may feel fulfilling, but as challenges arise, stress and frustration can replace the initial joy. When the dog no longer “fills” the emotional need due to unwanted behaviours developing, the result is often resentment and blame.

For a dog to truly thrive, consistent guidance, boundaries, and leadership are essential. Effective training involves the owner’s commitment to working alongside the dog, learning and growing together. A well-behaved dog is the product of responsible, engaged ownership—not a quick fix, by simply sending it away to be "fixed", once the dog is out of control.

A dog trainer cannot simply “fix” your dog for you—nor should they try to. For one, your dog isn’t broken. Dogs are complex, intelligent animals, and their behaviours are reflections of the environment they are raised in and the guidance they receive. A trainer can work with your dog to address behavioural issues, helping to guide, teach, and instill new responses. However, no amount of effort on the trainer's part will produce lasting change if you, the owner, are not equally committed to the training process.

Successful training is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing journey that requires your active participation, patience, and consistency. Your dog needs you to be an engaged leader who upholds the lessons learned in training sessions. When owners follow through on a trainer’s work, they create a cohesive, stable environment where positive behaviours can take root and grow. But if the owner is inconsistent, or neglects to reinforce what the dog has learned, the dog is left to navigate on its own, often reverting to old habits.

In the end, a well-trained, well-adjusted dog is the result of a strong, committed partnership between the owner and the trainer—working together to ensure the dog receives the guidance, boundaries, and encouragement needed to thrive. It’s about building a lifestyle that supports good behaviour and allows your dog to become a confident, balanced companion, reflecting the positive, structured environment you’ve worked hard to create.

11/11/2024

Communicating with your dog is more about what you don't say than what you do say.

Body language, boundaries, what you do, and do not allow say more to your dog about who you are than words ever will.

Who are you to your dog? Are you their leader? Would you listen to you? Take a moment to examine the crucial role you play in your relationship with your dog.

11/11/2024

Apoquel has very scary side effects.
From the Apoquel package insert, approximately 6% of test dogs developed cancers.⁠

Side effects listed when using Apoquel include vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, overwhelming bacterial and fungal infections, including pneumonia. ⁠

Apoquel does not "cure" anything; it is an immune suppressant. It is only labeled for use in dogs, and is unsafe for puppies under 12 months or senior dogs due to their weakened immune system. ⁠

Allergies, skin infections, and ear infections are related to immune system dysfunction, which commonly occurs secondary to gut dysbiosis (imbalance of good and bad bacteria within the bowel resulting in swelling of the cells lining the bowel and secondary leaky gut). ⁠

📺 Full video: https://youtu.be/uE9jcjTC324
➡️ Allergy Resources: https://drjudymorgan.com/pages/dr-judys-allergy-resources

11/10/2024

OORAH. ⁣HAPPY 249th MARINES⁣ . . . ⁣⁣

"Marines don't know how to spell the word defeat"⁣⁣⁣ ~ General James Mattis⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
in the frame: USMC MSgt. Chris Willingham (retired) and K9 Lucca ⁣⁣⁣⁣🏅⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
you deserve a trusted source. ⁣⁣

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

Address

Carol Stream, IL
60188

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16306657382

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