Dog Talk

I am very excited!! The first dog has graduated from the K-9 Corrections program. Check out the news coverage here:  http://knox.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=82695 The CGC test was given by Sumac of www.leapingdogs.com Guinness was so excited to see the crowd that he wouldn't settle down quite enough to pass. It was only one exercise on the test however (out of 10 exercises) so I am very proud of his progress and that of the handlers. He has a home and is very well behaved so I consider it mission accomplished. :-)

The next dog has begun, a boder collie mix named Diamond. More information about him can be found at: http://www.humanesocietyofknoxcounty.org/Diamond.html   He is the cutest border collie mix and has a great personality. He is alot of fun to work with and his handlers are already doing very well with his energy level, which is typical for a dog of his breed.

For those interested in the plight of pitbulls check out this video sent by a reader. (Thanks Hannah! and yes I'd love to borrow that DVD "Off the leash") WARNING! Tissue alert! May not be suitable for all viewers.

http://gprime.net/flash.php/thepitbullproblem  Blame the deed, not the breed!

The following is a reply to some comments made after my post of the Cesar Millan book review. It was to long to leave in the comments section of that post.

Somehow I missed these comments when they were posted. MY point in posting the review was to point out a the flaws with the book so people could make a more informed decision when thinking about buying it. Do what you like. However I am a dog trainer and I do this for a living. I go to seminars and learn as much as possible about dog behavior in order to help me do my job effectively and humanely. Cesar Millan is no more a dog psychologist than I am a princess. He says he is and has named his training center to relect that but has NO education towards that under his belt. He freely admits that! Canine behaviorists are one of the FEW canine professional fields that ARE closely regulated. Not just anyone can say they are an animal behaviorist or behavior counselor. You MUST have credientials to back it up. (there is no such thing as a dog psychologist, do some research) Unlike dog training where anyone can say they are a dog trainer. As a trainer I am NOT a fan of his show. Yes I agree that he does help some dogs. I do have to wonder though how many of those dogs that live/stay there ever get real homes. That is a very large pack he keeps there. I warn those that watch his show not to use it as training advise. And as to the alpha roll, even the originators have recanted the use of it AT ALL. (and the Monks of New Skete who published it originally - make sure if you follow them you ahve the updated version of their book) It was based on wolf behavior that was misinterpreted. You WILL get bitten if you try this technique on a dog that fights back. In dog language it doesn't make sense and to them it is an attack. Besides, you are not forcing them to submit to you, they are only allowing you to push them into a specific body postion. So it's not about when you use it. There is no right way to use this technique. The Monks techniques work, it is the compulsion method of training which has been around for a long time. Dog training has evolved since then so there are other, and to some better, ways. I do agree with some of what he says, dogs aren't people fur coats, be a leader for your dogs, exercise them every day. But I just see so much on the show that is wrong or inappropriate that I cannot see it as a help overall to people and their dogs. (and I get to deal with fallout of people that DO watch him and try his techniques to disastrious results) He also has the benefit of editing on his side and some "famous" clients and good press.  Of course this is just my opinion. Based of course on my knowledge as a working dog trainer. You do the math and make your own decisions. 

 Q: What can two trainers agree on?

A: What the third one is doing wrong. :-)

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• #1 Comment from sunilata 
  12/1/06 10:13 PM | Permalink

  Yay Guiness! Congrats to everyone involved in this, including his new family who I am sure are enjoying him. :)
  
  I'd love to get Apollo his CGC. Is there a minimum age he has to be before he can try (not that he's even close to ready...)? And would you be able to help us get ready for it?
  
  I will for sure bring that DVD to you next time we meet up. We just need some nice weather!