Lifestyle Obedience

10/03/2024

Putting a dog down and condemning them to death because you refuse to use any method that isn't "positive only" isn't very positive...

Sedating a dog into a zombie because you don't like other training tools isn't very positive...

Restricting a dog to a confined life without the chance to thrive isn't very positive...

Telling someone to put down their 8 month old working line dog for having lots of energy and acting like an 8-month-old working dog isn't very positive...

Guilting a young family that lives in an apartment into adopting a large dog with behavior issues isn't very positive...

Telling an older lady their dog would be better off dead then using a prong collar that helps her walk and control her dog isn't very positive....

Bashing other trainers because they don't train dogs using only one method isn't very positive...

Having an owner put a 5 month old puppy on 400mg of trazadone isn't very positive...

Harming dogs because of your own ego isn't very positive...

All of the things I just listed are REAL things that owners have dealt with by "certified positive only trainers and behaviorists."

Anyone can be certified online for $50. It means nothing.

Dogs and their humans deserve real trainers who care and emphasize for both ends of the leash. Trainers who will tailor training to each dog in front of them. Don't be fooled by the "positive" sounding approach. That's just fancy marketing from people who care more about their ego and lining their pockets rather than helping the dog community.

I've chosen to speak out on this because I care and hate seeing dogs harmed. The positive only cult is doing more harm than good to dogs. Dogs and owners that are already having a difficult time. Enough is enough.

10/01/2024

As I say, "The only one that will be offended if you treat your dog like a dog...is you. Your dog expects it.

Having been a veterinarian for almost 3 decades, I have seen the tide of how animals are treated change drastically. When I graduated dogs were dogs, now dogs are considered to be higher ranking than people. In our crazy world, people love their dogs more than they love their own families and they treat their dogs better than they treat other humans and I am sorry to say that we are destroying our dogs mental health because of it.

It is increasingly common to go into an exam room and have a dog that is growling at me and trying to bite and the owner is petting it telling it that it is a good dog. It is NOT being a good dog and it should not be rewarded for growling and trying to bite. It is important that we train our dogs properly and we use right language with them. Never is it ok for a dog to growl and try and bite in an exam room where nothing horrible is happening to them and feeding into that behavior does not make it better for your dog, it trains them that their fear is a good thing and it is not.

Mental disorders are exponentially increasing in our dogs and it is us owners fault. Please stop treating your dog like it is some fragile child and start treating it like it is a dog. TRAIN them and teach them commands and correct them when they are wrong and stop thinking you are going to hurt their feelings if you do. Dogs are dogs, not small humans. They need training and proper instructions or it leads to horrible anxiety issues in them and I can assure that that behavior is going to hurt your feelings way more than being an adult and training your dog to be a good dog instead of a spoiled child.

The following are a few copied excerpts from an article that I read this morning from a dog trainer. I feel like there are a good reminder for all of us on exactly what are dogs are and what they need.

"Your dog is a dog, not a human child. Constant unearned affection is a killer and creates an unhealthy addiction for both dog and owner. Your dog will love you unconditionally but will never respect you unless you give it reason to.

The most basic of basics, your dog must learn how to be still in any situation. If your dog can’t be still around any distraction, you will never have control.
Recall
Sit
Down
Walk nicely on leash
Out, meaning release anything in your mouth

You MUST have a language dedicated to your dog that your dog can learn by you being consistent and applying meaning to the words you use. Your dog MUST know what yes means, but also MUST know what NO means. If nothing comes after those words, yes equals reward for good, no equals correction for bad, your dog will never give meaning to either. Your dog’s name is not a command, or correction. NO should not be your dog’s middle name.

The training starts the second you bring the dog home."

09/24/2024

I regularly see this biting issue being addressed on other sites/pages. This is a remedy for not just the biting puppy. This will halt possessiveness and territorial behavior as your dog matures.

Don't ever let your dog think it can set the agenda in this way.

As you watch this don't get side tracked into thinking, "I'm training the Sit, Stand, or Down.
I'm handling the puppy in the way I would position for those exercises knowing the puppy will resist and tell me by biting my hands.

This is when I teach what I call "Establishing Authority from the Dog's Point of View" by corecting the biting with a , Pop & a "NO".

You will NOT hurt your relationship. You will actually become that Dog's trusted leader.

Teaching your dog to respect you will save a lit if headache later.

09/20/2024

This is why I do not like the flexie lead. Well I don't like any tool being used improperly 🫣
I know a lot of good trainers use the flexie lead, yet they know how. Excuses do not get the job done.

09/02/2024

08/29/2024

All about Keeping Fun, FUN! Safety first. Get your dog's mind settled then be aware of your surroundings.

08/28/2024

So more with, Asher, the dog my son adopted. But hasn't met yet...I get to have some fun with him.

08/28/2024

08/25/2024

Simple way to exercise your dog and build relationship.

08/22/2024

More relationship building with "Asher." It comes to no surprise that the hearding dog likes to chase the toy.😃

08/21/2024

3rd day working on his new name, from Carlos to Asher. 😀

08/20/2024

What else to do to build relationship with your new dog. PART 2

08/20/2024

Adopting an adult dog, 1st thing I recommend. PART 1

08/20/2024

https://youtu.be/soZvemo-JiQ?si=TY3bQUZLkVjU6e_-

08/06/2024

Mia, In to have her training maintained and a play date with her buddy, Mulligan. 🐶