Best In Show Dog Training

07/04/2023

I have bpd so both my dogs match me 😅

07/04/2023

Everyday!

01/25/2023

Please read! Even myself when I got into training years ago, I did not understand the training tool. But now I know about how great these tools save lives!!!

Let's Talk About... the Prong Collar. Facts, not emotions:

The prong, or pinch, collar was first patented by Herm Sprenger in the late 1800s, and the design has evolved over the decades with improved knowledge, experience, and materials. It should be noted that Herm Sprenger (*not* "Springer") are one of only a very small handful of prong collar manufacturers that reputable trainers recommend, and arguably the best.

The collar itself:

The individual prongs themselves are angled in and blunt at the ends, NEVER sharp. They are not designed to stab like a needle, or injure the dog. Due to the mechanical design, pressure is distributed evenly around the neck, and this pressure is felt far more readily than that of a choke/check chain, or flat collar. Ergo, less pressure is required to be used by the handler. This is particularly useful for handlers who have strength or mobility issues, or who have very large dogs. Also important to observe is that there is a martingale chain that connects each side of the collar, which prevents the collar from tightening excessively or dangerously, as can happen with a choke or check chain that is not used appropriately.

The mechanics of the collar, as explained by a mechanical engineer:

F = force applied by the handler.

FA, FB, FC etc = force applied on dog's neck. The tip exerts the force in opposite direction of pull. This is because of the lever effect created by the fulcrum (shown in the red circle).

Now the important part: anatomy, not physics.
A dog’s neck is sensitive at the throat and strong at the side and back. FE is force applied at neck and FB & FC are force applied on side of neck.

Now FA = F cos (angle made by FA and F); similarly, FB, FC etc. If you look at a trigonometry book, the greater the angle between F and the direction of resultant force (FA, FB etc), the lesser is the force. So you can see the force on the neck/throat is almost zero. And the force on the side of neck is almost equal to what you apply.

Please do bear in mind that this post is about the science behind the prong collar - not your *feelings*. If you don't like this particular tool, it's pretty simple: don't use it. But also bear in mind that, if you haven't ever used it, then your opinion of it is based on nothing more than emotion and/or hearsay. If you are triggered by this post, ask yourself why - based on *fact* :-)

And finally, always please remember: TOOLS DON'T TRAIN DOGS; TRAINING TRAINS DOGS! If your trainer puts one of these on your dog to "teach it to walk nicely to Heel", I would suggest firing them and finding a trainer who understands how to teach Handler Awareness, the Step Sit, and actually train the dog. If your dog will only walk to Heel when it is wearing equipment (of any kind), it's not trained :-)

Thank you for reading!

01/25/2023

Best In Show Dog Training
I am offering Private classes in person or online!
Avg. Puppy Class = $100-$125
Avg. Dog Class = $100-$111
Consultation = $40-$125
Time: 60 minutes to 120 minutes
Sessions: 8
Location: Held Outside or in my home and at local park.
Requirements:
•Must have proof of current rabies vaccination certificate.
•Must sign contract before classes can start.
All breed and breed mixes welcome.
You and your dog will learn basic communication and commands.
The goal is for you to have a well mannered dog around people and other dogs.
More training is available for those needing more than basics.
🐾———
12+ years in professionally dog training.
100+ dogs under my belt, from pet to sport, showing and working dogs.

11/21/2022

Go check out maligatormom on tiktok, she has some very helpful and useful information on travel safety with you dogs. Gunner kennels are the number one best crash tested kennel on the market at this time!

11/18/2022

Such a great read!🖤

🔍FUN FACT FRIDAY🔎

I’m sure most who own a Dobermann have never had to correct anyone on what’s on the end of their lead…. however, most who own a Beauceron, probably hear confusion on the daily! Comments such as “I didn’t know Dobermanns came in that colour!” are rife on the morning walk if they have a Harlequin - which is the breed’s merle patterning!

So why are they so easily confused? Well, firstly Dobermanns are more commonly recognised and to an untrained eye, Beaucerons fit the bill for what they expect the breed to look like. They both come in black with rust coloured eyebrowns (eyebrowns?! Well that’s going to be my new name for tan points!), muzzle and socks. In fact there’s a nickname for the Beauceron (Bas-Rouges) which means red stockings! They are similar in size, with a few pounds or inches difference in height and weight so look very very alike.

However, if we’re going on colour alone, Dobermanns will never come in merle naturally. Whereas Beaucerons, like mentioned above, come in “harlequin”. And likewise, Dobermanns can occur as “rust and tan”, which is a lovely chocolate brown with again, “eyebrowns” haha. Dobermanns can also come in dilute colours such as fawn and blue. But the Beauceron will only be some form of the black and tan, or the merle or harlequin.

So now, let’s delve into the history. Dobermanns were developed by, interestingly, a German tax collector! Louis Dobermann desired a strong, alert and courageous protector, and a thief deterrent as a companion whilst he was at work. Starting with a Pinscher foundation, certain breeds were added like ingredients in order to create the perfect recipe of intelligence from the German Shepherd, speed from the Greyhound, toughness of character from the Rottweiler, as well as the tracking ability of the Weimaraner and loyalty of the Manchester Terrier. Once he was happy with his results, the breed was recognised by the German Kennel Club in 1899. Nowadays modern Dobermanns are used by the armed forces and the police as guard dogs, trackers, sniffer dogs and more, due to their natural instinct to perform these jobs. However these days most are just excellent family dogs.

But what about the Beauceron? Well, they are a much much older breed, that unfortunately hasn’t really found it’s popularity outside of France yet. And, they were designed to herd… which brings me to the following breed traits that are both a dead giveaway for their original purpose.

If you are not aware of what a double dew claw is, it’s a selectively bred feature where two extra toes develop on the hind pasterns (or legs). They exist to strengthen the wrist, in order to climb up slippery or steep slopes and keep their balance. Breeds such as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Icelandic Sheepdog and the Briard to name a few, all have them to help them perform their original purposes such as climbing mountains or making short sharp manoeuvers quickly. There is even a breed with extra special double dews on the front paws too - the Norwegian Lundehund - to help them scale almost vertical cliffs after Puffins! Beaucerons were designed to move large herds, and to fiercely guard the homestead, and so the double dews helped them maintain stamina and the pace for hours without losing grip or slipping on the Northern French terrain. So, if you’re up close and personal and wondering if it’s a Beauceron or a Dobermann, take a look at the back feet to see if it has any extra toes!

If you’re not wanting to get too close, the fur is also a dead giveaway! Beaucerons have a rougher and thicker coat, much more like a Rottweiler - which helped them keep warm and dry in all weathers whilst moving their flocks. In fact they kinda look like if a Dobermann needed a slight haircut! This fur does come with its drawbacks however, as they do shed much much more than the glossy coated Dobermann.

In short - if it’s chocolate coloured - Dobermann, if it’s merle - Beauceron, if it’s glossy coated - Dobermann, if it has extra toes - Beauceron! It also goes without saying that there are also countries that do allow cropping and docking of the two breeds - cropping for both breeds was to protect their ears as they protected their homes, flocks or owners, but the Dobermann is the only one of the two breeds to ever be docked. So if the breed has a short nub tail - it’s probably a Dobermann as the Beauceron should always have a full tail.

Both breeds are extremely loyal to their person, and both were originally some form of watch dog so highly protective. They are also both described as clowns, with a sense of humour, which means that with a strong and stable consistent leader, both breeds will excel and be an amazing and fun loving companion.

11/16/2022

Our website is in the works, along with a few other exciting things!