For some reason rescue people feel like they have to interrogate people who wish to adopt and assume that everyone is evil. I’m not delusional in thinking that everyone is great, but I also know that in order to save lives, sometimes it is a crap shoot. I know that there is no one that could provide a home as …
It’s GonnaTake More than 2 Weeks to Train Your Dog
I’m not sure if it’s right to blame dog owners for their naiveté, but I want to put this in writing to all past, present and future clients. In fact, reading this may sort some of you out from ever training your dogs with me. Other trainers tend to bend the truth a little bit in order to get you …
Desperate Dogs Determined Measures
I can’t tell you how many people have asked me to teach them how to do what I do or to write a book on the topic. Well, for the last year I’ve been doing both: I’ve been working with shelters teaching them the system that I’ve used to save dogs condemned to death and I’ve been writing my book …
The Disposable Dog
We live in a society where just about everything is disposable including our glass bottles, shoes, clothing and yes – dogs! I remember days (this makes me sound old) when things were repaired and not thrown away. I remember taking my shoes to the shoemaker for a new pair of soles, in fact I still do that; and glass bottles …
Tell me again… why would I want the dog that you don’t want?
It’s not uncommon that I get a call, email or facebook post from someone looking to dispose of their dog that is absolutely perfect… EXCEPT for when….. That is when the litany of excuses comes in: • He loves other dogs, except for when he’s on a leash or there’s food, or if the other dog has brown fur. • …
Emotions vs. Instinct
There are countless thousands of dogs living (waiting to die) in shelters right now that wish they had been given the opportunity to learn right from wrong. These dogs were given up on by their humans, their trainers and by society as a whole. They will pay the ultimate price – their lives. If only the humans could step outside …
Before you love him, train him!
It seems that every time I read a story about a rescue dog, the first thing people are compelled to do is take them home and make up for all the love they (the dog) has been denied. This is often times a recipe for disaster. There is plenty of time for love, but be fair to the dog first …
Today I Had to Kill Your Dog!
Today I had to kill your dog. Several years ago you got a puppy because you thought he was cute, because he fit (for the time being) into your life. It was the cool thing to do. You thought all the stuff he did was cute. He’s a puppy! • When he would growl at people you encouraged him, because …
New Article for Shelter Workers
I can’t tell you how often I’m called to deal with a dog at a shelter that exhibits what’s called Barrier Aggression. This is a behavior when the dog is barking, growling or aggresses toward the front of the kennel when people are present. It is generally not that hard to fix, but it is a death sentence in many …
Just Kill the Dog – it’s Easier
As ridiculous as this statement sounds, you’ve got to consider the approach most people take with their dogs. People who have dogs with issues, which many have, give it a half-assed try to fix it, and when that doesn’t work, they either give up on the dog and let the trouble behavior continue, or they dump the dog at the …