Dog Trainers and Theories
Since my parents have adopted the G-Man (whom my step-dad wants to rename Hans) they have taken to researching and meeting dog trainers. We have a trainer that a couple of other beloved family pets have grown accustomed to. All these calls have really brought to light that everyone has a theory. From the happy-go-lucky hippie to the retired K-9 Unit instructor, I feel like I could start a dog training business with zero credentials and a nice sounding theory and get away with it.
One guy explained that his training style was all based in love – if the dog loves you the most, he won’t run after the squirrel. Bullocks. This same guy wanted to train at the Humane Society, which I think is ridiculous. Kennel Cough, previous trauma, cats – why do that to yourself and your dog? Another training class wanted all the dogs to learn by clicker – little clicks that replace your voice and tell the dog what to do. Really? Am I the only one that believes you can communicate effectively with a dog using a voice and some hand motions? These same people condoned other ridiculous things that have produced an obnoxious eight-month-old Wheaton Terrier that is about to drive my mom crazy.
The current trainer I actually really recommend. John at Innovative K-9 knows his stuff, understands pack mentality and how to get the dog into proper pack position. He can evaluate and understand what your dog needs and claims that it is harder to train the humans then the dogs because humans are inconsistent- making it hard for a dog to understand what is expected and, therefore, hard for them to be considered obedient.
Guinness did great with John today – no hippie-love tree hugging, no annoying clicking and no humane society trauma – just two stubborn Alpha Males learning how to communicate with each other. Apparently, according to the evaluation, Guinness is a natural Alpha – in the wild he would probably be the leader of the pack. He is laid back, confident and doesn’t feel the need to be corrective, which other members of the pack would be assigned to do. He is also manipulative. He tends to want to make a person come to him instead of getting up and going to them, which is hilarious to watch as a 100 pound Eastern European Shepherd sits calmly by while the trainer attempts to coax him with various treats. Guinness remained in control, rarely submissive and frequently unfocused. We have some work to do with this intelligent little beast.
Leave a Reply