I am second.

No, really, we are 2nd . . . on WFAA's A-List!  Please vote for us daily to get us back to #1!  It seems to work best if you click the link: http://ctvr.us/adventuresin then hit the big yellow vote button, then log in either via facebook or your email account info.  You can then log out, type the name of the business and repeat.  Thanks loyal fans!

Think outside the box . . .

Dog training is just about one of the most frustrating industries to be in due to the fact that one trainer could be polar opposite of another.  At least in most lines of work there are more facts that you can't refute so one may be slightly different but comes back to one basic fact.  Dog training is filled with a lot of bad advice, good advice and "who told you that?" advice.  Because dogs are animals and we can't actually talk to them and find out what they are thinking, it makes it very difficult to know what is actually right and what is actually wrong.

Many trainers use the "well it works for me" approach and others are completely science-based.  But what is science-based dog training?  That's also a revolving door of this and that.  It has been scientifically proven that the old "Alpha dogs rule" theory is wrong and using this thinking for raising and training a dog can often be disastrous.  But it was so drilled in folks heads in the 60s and 70s that it's hard to think that now the scientists say, "Oops, we were wrong, forget what we said . . ."  

Many trainers still use the techniques used many moons ago on dogs and see results, so they keep doing it.  Sure, this type of training yields what looks like instant results, but the truth is that it doesn't fix anything long term and more often that not it causes either more behavior problems than you started with or escalates the issue you started with.

I've found that over the years dog training isn't always, teach the dog this, make him stop doing that.  Often it's much more thinking than that and you have to use your noggin to think outside the box.  There is no black and white for dog training if you want a dog that is really good, really willing and really ready to be your friend.

I must admit that I was prompted to write this particular post after lying in bed at night thinking about a particular client I have been working with.  This particular dog has shown some aggression toward his owners as well as others.  After going in and meeting with the owners, the dog and getting a history I realized that this dog is only aggressive because of the way it has been handled, raised and supposedly "trained".  It's all wrong, so wrong that now the dog is becoming quite nasty.  This dog is the true example for why you can't use physical punishment or "alpha rolls" on dogs.  They don't work and often you create a real problem.  Did I mention this dog isn't even a year old yet?

I also had an epiphany when I asked my Jack Russell, Trevor to sit and stay as I opened the back door to let my Great Dane outside.  I didn't want Trevor to go out so I wanted him to stay back.  Trevor gladly sits and stays but he scoots and trembles, and he's almost nervous about it if asked to do it in certain areas.  He is great at it when I put him in a visual tool.  If I tell him to stay in his doggie bed, he'll stay like a champ.  He's funny like that.  Out in the middle of the floor--not so good, sitting in his dog bed--great!  I had to think outside the box.  What would have been most people's first reaction to their dog not staying?-- Most would correct him for not staying in the middle of the floor.  My reaction--just put him in a dog bed where I know he'll do a great sit-stay.  All I say is, "Trevor can you get in your bed?"  He goes to his bed, sits and stays there until I say, "okay!"  Problem solved, dog receives praise and avoids any "punishment".  Perfect-o! (I just took this photo literally for this paragraph--isn't he cute?!)


I also remember when I took my BC/Aussie, Noah, to a farm with goats to test his herding abilities. He loved it!  He was put in a round pen with 4 goats.  He was afraid of them at first and then suddenly they shifted and he immediately started to herd them.  While he wasn't graceful about it or great at it, he was herding them and having the best time of his life.  He barked and barked and barked at those goats.  The lady that owns the farm was out there with him and she turns to me and says, "He's too vocal," then turns to Noah and says, "Shut up!"  It drove her mad that he wouldn't stop barking at those goats.  I just laughed.  I thought she was an idiot.

Noah barks all the time in play.  He's not a vocal dog otherwise.  But play and fun he barks.  He has the best time when he's doing it too.  I never try to stop him.  I don't care if he barks when playing or expelling energy.  Have you ever been to an agility trial?  Many dogs bark as they go from one obstacle to another--they are having the time of their lives out there!  Why try to shut them up?  Who cares.  When we got in the car to head home from Noah's exhausting, yet fun, goat herding my husband says, "I guess we need to teach Noah to be a little quieter?"  I said, "Nope. She needs to learn how to let a dog be a dog in the right situations!"   That may have quite possibly been the best day of his doggie life so far,  but would he have felt that way if I had corrected him the whole time and told him to keep quiet?  I doubt it.  . . . . Noah slept for 2 full days after that night.

Let the adventure begin!

If you follow me on Facebook you've seen my "advertisement" for our new program--The Outdoor Adventures Program, which has been inspired by Kimberly Burgan Dog Training's program by the same name in Austin.  I want to elaborate on the program as we've had some questions from several doggie parents.

First, yes you are correct, we do encourage dog owners to be part of their dog's training program.  So we have had the question--well then why are you offering this program where you come to the home and train the dog while the owner is out, gone to work, busy, etc.?   The answer is this: dogs need training and mental stimulation on a daily basis.  If the owner isn't home to give it then we will be there to do that.  After years of dog training we find that many dog owners just don't know where to start or what to do.  We also see people working longer hours and utilizing doggie daycares more often--something we really don't recommend.  This program is designed to keep your dog on the right track and get their physical and mental demands met in the best way possible--through training, games, fun and physical activities!

We also want to be very clear that this isn't a fix-it-all program (no program is).  We don't just come in, fix the issues and you're good to go.  You will be part of your dog's training, we'll just be there to give your dog the boost and you will keep up what we do when we aren't there!

Other questions we've been asked--is this really for my dog?  The truth is that this program would benefit any dog or puppy.  If you can give your dog the gift of a training professional to come in, take them out, work their little legs and brain, then don't hesitate for any reason!

If you have a puppy (under 6 months) then socialization and spot-on, good training is critical!  This program can help with 1) helping your pup's potty training stay on track, 2) teaching good habits and basic commands and 3) taking your puppy to socialize him properly to places, people and other things.

If you already have a dog walker this program will be more beneficial because we will make your dog use his noggin too, not just his legs! -- This program is truly beneficial for any and all dogs!  We personalize the program to meet each dog and his owner's needs.

Have other questions or feel like starting this program?  Fill out our online questionnaire and we'll be in touch!

15 Minutes.

My brain is currently on over-load from the long week I just came away from.  I attended a 5-day dog training conference from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) that consisted of all-day seminars from wonderful dog trainers from all over the world.  We heard Victoria Stilwell of "It's Me or the Dog", John Rogerson from the UK, Ian Dunbar (the inventor of puppy classes and found of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and we even heard Temple Grandin speak about canines and emotions.  So I have a lot of blog posts coming, I just have to sort through the material! 

Until then I wanted to get this out there . . . Did you know that in under 15 minutes a day you can train your dog, or any dog? Yeah, more time would be better, but if 15 is all you've got per day then use it! You don't need hours and hours to get a dog to know the who and what of things.

I also like to show people how to make everyday situations a training session. For example, if my dog is in the other room I'll call him excitedly from across the house--"Noah! Come!" He'll come bounding in to me and sit. I happily pet him and say, "Gooood boy!!", then trot myself to the dog food bin and give him about 15 pieces of kibble, one by one. That was a training session for a recall (come when called). 30 seconds. I'm done. I can do it again later too, and again and again. After a while all these little sessions add up and my dog realizes that coming when called is the best thing ever. While this isn't going to proof my dog for real-life situations, it is still a way for me to train throughout the day to solidify basics.

It's best to break up your sessions and implement them in daily life so the dog doesn't respond only "during a session" but at all times. If you only train your dog when you train your dog then you aren't doing something right in between. What I mean by this is: you should take advantage of making everything you do part of your dog's training. This means you practice leadership rules all the time--don't leave toys laying around the house, don't leave food out for free access, don't let them receive attention, food or play by initiating it first, don't talk to a dog that is doing attention seeking behaviors . . . there is a long list of things you can do all day every day that will ensure that your dog not only respects you but listens to you--willingly and happily.

Training is, and should always be, fun. Intimidation and "alpha" rules are ancient history and have been proven wrong and untrue in wolf and dog packs. This means that if you think you are doing "alpha" behaviors to teach your dog who is boss then you are probably going to end up screwing something up. You have to lead with direction and an earn-to-learn philosophy.

Canine Costumes!

So if you aren't on my Adventures Facebook page you need to be!  I can't tell you how much stuff I post on there!  Ask anyone who frequents the site!  Anyway . . . we are having a great Halloween costume contest via Facebook.  Here are all the details . . . 

Get creative with your pooches!  We want to see your dogs in their best Halloween costume ever.  Please post a picture of your pooch in his/her best costume ever!  Details are as follows:

ENTRY DETAILS

• Entries will be accepted via email (stacy@aictdfw.com) or posted on our Facebook page wall.  If you only send via email we will post it on our Facebook wall.  If you do not want your dog's picture on Facebook please do not enter! Be sure to include a description such as the following example: "Scooter is a 2 year old Dachshund dressed as a mummy for Halloween this year.  I made this costume myself.  Owner Jane Smith, janesmith@mail.com."
• You may enter no more than 3 pictures of the same dog in the same costume.  You may only enter up to 2 costumers per dog.
• All entries must be sent or posted no later than Friday, October 29th at midnight CST.
• All pictures will be posted on Facebook.

PRIZES
Judging will take place from Monday, October 25th-Sunday, October 31st.  All winners will be notified via email and announced on Facebook no later than Monday, November 1, 2010.

• 1ST PLACE: There will be one 1st place winner, who will receive a $20 coupon towards any training service provided by Adventures in Canine Training, Inc. Aggression cases may not use coupons. 
• 2ND PLACE: There will be one 2nd place winner, who will receive a $10 dollar coupon towards any training service provided by Adventures in Canine Training, Inc. Aggression cases may not use coupons.
• 3RD PLACE: There will be one 3rd place winner, who will receive a $5 dollar coupon towards any training service provided by Adventures in Canine Training, Inc. Aggression cases may not use coupons.

 All winners will be notified via email and announced on Facebook no later than Monday, November 1, 2010.  Do not forget to include your email address with your photo. Happy tails to you!

We need your vote!

We are competing in the WFAA's A-List of BEST local businesses.  We are in the dog training category and need your votes to keep us on top!  Voting lasts until December so we could fluctuate but hope to stay on top . . . We are currently ranked #2!  Go vote here.