Training the dog owner

A couple of days ago a gentleman called me about training his dog. It is a bull terrier mix of unknown origin. It had just shown some aggression towards a child and an adult. No biting, just aggression.

I explained to him how Manners in Minutes training de sensitizes a dog to behavior that triggers aggression, and where aggression in dogs comes from. I then told him about how we build behavior training from one command to another so that when we are done, the owner has on, off, and dimmer switches that controls the dog’s behavior.

His comment was he was sure when we finished I could control the dog, but when he went home he would not be able to control the dog.

He hit on one of my pet peeves about dog trainers. A lot of people who become trainers started out in someone else’s class (as I did) and did well with their own dog. From that they got the idea that they could train dogs. And, in a way, they can.

Most dog trainers are natural alphas. They never really had a problem with their or anyone else’s dog because dogs recognize their alpha qualities and do not challenge them. I don’t know how many times someone has told me to watch out for Spike because he hates everyone. I then have to tell them fine, but get Spike off my lap because I’m getting tired of rubbing his tummy.

Now I have a huge advantage. I spent twenty four years as a Deputy Sheriff working the streets. After walking into more than one situation where you either take control or end up in the Emergency room, you learn to be a very effective alpha with people. If you can own a bar full of drunks who want to fight, being the pack leader to a dog is not that hard. So it would be very easy to amaze people with how well their dog does with me.

I also spent twenty of those years as a Field Training Officer. If I can teach a twenty one year old young man or woman how to deal with that bar, making you the alpha dog in your pack just isn’t that hard.

When your dog goes home with you, I’m not there to enforce the rules. So if I fail to train you to be in charge, I’ve failed you and the dog.

And sadly all too many trainers just do that. The dog is fine with them and at the training center, but you go home with the same old dog. Before you pick a trainer, go watch them train. If they don’t spend more time with the owner than the dog, find another trainer.

After the first Manners in Minutes session I tell owner the dog doesn’t need to come back for the follow up, the owner needs to come back.

Doug