CONFIDENTK9KCDOGBLOG

MAKING THE COMMITMENT TO TRAIN YOUR DOG

2011-10-15T08:29:00.001-07:00

I know Bobby has a football game today, Susie has a soccer game and Billy has Basketball practice...... I have heard it all and most of all I understand this. However, they will have many more games not just this one. Send one parent to the game and one to training class. You will not have the opportunity again that you will have when the dog is a young puppy. Like i said, the kids will likely have hundreds of games, your opportunity to shape your dogs behavior is waning as we speak, you won't have a second chance! Do it today or suffer tomorrow. Many excuses people give me because they have to miss a class are just down right not that important. Why do i feel more passionate about training your dog than you do!

BE OPEN TO LEARNING NEW THINGS

2011-10-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Dogs are eager to learn and change, people are naturally resistant to learn and change.
If you hire a trainer to come over to help you, you should probably open up to learning and trying new things and not so quick to argue and resist. You are the one who needs the help, not me!

NIGHTTIME HEAT

2011-07-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Just because the sun goes down does not mean you can go out and exercise the heck out of your dogs. It's still 95 deg. and 65% humidity @ 10:00 at night. Your pet can still get heat exhaustion at night, so take it easy! soak em down and give plenty of water if you are going to walk long distance, or jog!

CONSISTENCY IS EVEYTHING IN DOG TRAINING

2011-07-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Anyone who comes to class has the responsibility of educating the rest of the family in what they are supposed to be doing. That's what i preach anyway. So why does a spouse, son, daughter, grandma or grandpa, come to class and say "I WAS NOT HERE LAST WEEK OR I HAVE NOT BEEN HERE BEFORE"
What difference should that make, you should all know what's going on. How can you possibly come to a training class and not know what has happened in the previous lessons, obviously i can't go over the whole program again for you in 5 minutes to get you up to date. COME ON, throw me a bone, i'm trying to help you train your dog which means you have to try to help yourself. Instead of "my dog isn't learning anything", it's because "YOU aren't learning anything!"
That's also what the outline is for i give in Class one. That tells me your not even reading the outline. .....................................................I'm dying here!
How can your dog learn anything if everyone in the family is doing something different.
I know, your to busy texting or on the internet or going here or going there. I understand life happens, but, you have a dog that needs training, you paid me money to teach you, so show some respect and learn.
Help me............Help you!

Contact me

2011-07-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

If you contact me on my website www.confidentk9kc.com we can talk and i can help with your issues. Also just email me for a free Ecopy of my book!

FIREWORKS AND YOUR DOG

2011-07-04T11:57:00.001-07:00

Please do not take your dogs to fireworks displays even if you think they enjoy it. These Phobias such a Fireworks and Thunderstorm Phobia's don't crop up until the dog is well into adulthood, then you really have problems.
Some great products to help with these Phobia's are The Thundershirt, DAP Products (dog appeasing pheromones)and Drug Therapy.
DAP makes many great products for your dog and cat phobias.

DON'T TAKE GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR GRANTED

2011-07-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

These words are my mantra for Training. I had a call recently "my dog never comes when i call".
I said, how many times today did your pet just walk up to you.........many,... was the reply. How many times did you say, come, as the pet was walking towards you...None, was the reply. He is already doing it. How many times does your pet sit, lay down, go to the door, watch you, etc, etc, etc,.
All you have to do is praise them for what they are already doing....it's not rocket science just "Don't Take Good Behavior For Granted".
This is the basic foundation for training. Also must put the correct word to the behavior, it should be, good sit, not good boy. Be instructive in your choice of words. I have a freind that when his dog sits he says "good girl"......but she can't sit on command!. I would guess if he said "good girl" the dog might sit!:)
You must Teach!!!!!!!!!

MY BOOK

2011-06-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

If anyone out there would like a free copy of my book, just drop me an email and it's yours.
Cookbook dog Training:
Recipe for the Perfect Dog

EXERCISE PLEASE...here we go again

2011-06-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

Lack of proper aerobic exercise is in direct correlation to behavior problems. We have all the excuses why we can't do it, or, "i take him on a walk everyday". How can you possibly think a once a day walk for a 8 month old lab puppy is enough..................... it's not even close.
Excuses why you can't exercise your dog more, does not matter to your dog. They wake up everyday with all this pent up energy and if it is not released with exercise, they will find other things to do, playbiting, chewing, digging, excessive barking, jumping, etc.........and on.....and on.....and on!
Please think about the kind of breed you purchase and see if it is a good exercise fit for you. Humans are fairly lazy...i know i am......puppies and young adult dogs are not!

WATER.........................PLEASE!

2011-06-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

If i see one more person walking their dog at the park on a 90 degree day with the dog lagging behind them with it's tongue dragging on the ground,....AND THE OWNER IS NOT CARRYING A WATER BOTTLE......I AM GOING TO GO POSTAL!
I saw a Bulldog in this situation at the park, obviously in distress. I asked the owner if his dog would like some water, he said he has some back at the car. IT'S AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARK ONE MILE AWAY......AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! POSTAL!

DO YOU SPEND ENOUGH TIME WITH YOUR DOG!

2011-06-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Think about it. You're at work for 8 hrs. during the day, your dog is in the crate. You sleep 8 hours at night, the dog is in the crate. Then you have dinner to fix, kids to bathe and homework and errands to run, your dog is in the crate. Where is your Pet in all of this. Well let me tell you, he is running around the house trying to get SOMEONE'S attention and getting in trouble because he gets no exercise and no mental stimulation. But, you take him on a couple of walks a day---- Yeah, around the block. The prescription for behavior problems is EXERCISE!. And you AND your dog do not get enough!. Nough said!

THE ANSWER TO MOST ALL BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

2011-05-26T04:54:00.000-07:00

EXERCISE!.
You don't have to say much more. Here we go again. People seem so perplexed at their dogs unwanted behaviors and it's because they are just not getting enough exercise. Why don't you understand this.
That one or two walks a day is not enough for most dogs. you are not walking miles and miles. Most of you just take you dog around the block or so. They need long..........walks, plus other forms of exercise....like fetch....chase the ball.....you can play recall games up and down the stairs for their evening meal.
You are not spending enough time with your pet. Think about it, you work 8+ hours a day, you sleep 7-8 hours at night, then you have to fix dinner, kids baths, homework, errands, shopping. where is the dog in all of this.......in the crate that's where. Come on tune in to your pet......
exercise........exercise.....exercise!

Nough said!

WINTER PUPPY'S, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!

2011-01-25T06:04:00.000-08:00

Everyone needs to understand that in the winter month's your dog still needs exercise!. He or she does not care if it's cold outside, my clients are getting these high energy pups and do no give them enough exercise. They won't even go out with them when they eliminate, how can you housetrain your dog if you do not go out and praise after elimination, after they come in it's to late!
Exercise is critical in controlling behavior problems, and every year us trainers try to help people understand they need more EXERCISE. It is the answer to almost all behavior problems. A tired dog is a good dog. So, getting a puppy?, do it in the Spring!

DID I GET THE WRONG DOG !!

2010-05-28T07:10:00.000-07:00

So many, many times when i go to a private behavior consult I find people have put themselves in a situation where they are asking themselves, did I get the wrong dog! More often than not the answer is YES!
Case Study:
Divorced Mom with 2 teenager's adopts 2 Border Collies that are confined to the kitchen and the backyard. They are frustrated with the dogs behavior, did they get the wrong dog.........YES! The kids spend their day social networking, mom is trying to hold down a job and they have 2 of the highest energy dogs in the world who are in a crate all day, who bond with each other and not the owners and are under stimulated mentally and physically. What a nightmare for both sides. The humans suffer and the dogs suffer. My first question when i arrive is how much exercise have they had today, answer: Oh, they have had plenty of exercise. You have no idea and after i tell them what is required they freak out! Well how can we give them that much exercise, that's it you can't....Hey you got the wrong dogs. But she said, Oh, but they were so cute, well how cute are they now!
There are answers to their problems but every suggestion (doggie daycare, etc) is met with, well we just can't do that! It's difficult for a trainer to help some people who get themselves in these predicaments, all i can do is educate them and go about my way knowing they will most likely fail. It's truly sad. Think before purchasing a dog, call and ask a trainer for some pre-selection counseling. Unfortunately i find shelters don't do a very good job and pre-screening either. A retired couple in their 70's is encouraged to adopt a lab puppy to keep them active................................BAD CHOICE! They just want to get the dog a home. Not all shelters do this, but in 19 years as a trainer I see it all to often.

LEARNING THE "WATCH-ME" COMMAND

2010-04-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

The "Watch-Me" command is taught to your dog to get him/her to look at you without using their names. One of my biggest complaints of puppy or older dog owners is that the dog ignores them when they call his/her name. We have a tendency to speak our dogs name hundreds of times a day and they become desnsitized to it. So lets learn the "Watch-Me" command.
Take a treat and let your dog have a sniff, do not say his/her name, put it up to your eye (because that is where we want him to look) and when he/she is looking at you say "Watch-Me", wait for 2 seconds then reward and repeat several times a day for a few days. Then extend the time little by little he has to look at you, starting from 2 seconds, then 4,6,8,etc.
After about 3 weeks of this exercise, whenever Mackinaw was looking away, all I had to do is say, Watch-Me and he would turn and look.
Then I would call him back to me once i have gotten his attention.

OUTSIDE DOGS? WHAT KIND OF A BREED IS THAT!

2010-02-01T01:58:00.000-08:00

People who own dogs who live "outside" more often than not have all kinds of behavior problems. Dogs are social creatures and crave human attention and interaction. A lack of this interaction and daily training will lead to destructive behavior, territoriality, dog and human aggression problems, poor social skills, etc. What is your dog protecting outside, your lawn, all I have to do is open the gate and he/she will take off! Dogs belong inside with the family, otherwise why have one!
Enough said!

EXCERCISE FOR A BETTER BEHAVED DOG

2009-08-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Seems like I have been bombarded with frustrated owners complaining about their dogs energy level. There is no magic button to push to turn in off! Most people find out to late when they get a puppy about the exercise requirements. They read these breed books that give them characteristics of adult dogs, not puppies. I turned down my first lesson in 18 yrs. the other day. A gentleman was trying to convince ME that his 1 year old Border Collie only should need one good 45min. walk a day. What luck would I have training him if I cannot convince him that the figure he just gave me is NOT EVEN CLOSE to what that breed requires. No wonder dogs have all these behavioral issues.
The more exercise DNA your dog has, the less behavioral problems. THEY GO HAND-IN-HAND.
End of story!
Think before you buy, these are animals that need training, love, food, housing and EXERCISE!

PUPPY'S AND KIDS

2009-05-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

What were you thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Families with children under the age of 7 or 8 you really need to think twice before getting certain breeds of dogs. Goldens, Goldendoodles, Labs, Labradoodles, Herding breeds. These dogs will do nothing but use your children as chew toys, trampolines and playthings. Puppy's aren't for the kids they're for life. Oh I know what your thinking, your kids are the exception, they can handle it. As a trainer of 19yrs, I find adults can barely handle it let alone children.
Ask yourself this, how consistant are my kids? what is their attention span? how quick do novelties wear off? will they be able to establish leadership with the puppy?, even with Mom and Dad's help, YOU WILL HAVE ISSUES with these particular puppy behavior problems and even with the best of training they do not go away overnite.
Consider going to a shelter and adopting an older dog who is out of the puppyhood stage is a much better and responsible answer.
But, people will read this blog to late!

DOG ETIQUETTE

2009-02-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

Be mindful of your dogs when you are in public. Not everyone loves and wants to see your your dog as much as you do. When you are in the veterinary office, a store or a training class be respectful of the people around you and control your pet! Owners holding cats or cats being confined in carriers"Do Not Want To See Your Dog". Many of my clients in my training classes disrespect the ones sitting next to them when they do not keep their dogs in control. It is disruptive to the entire class when you let your dog visit everyone you are sitting next to while class is going on. No wonder you are not progressing as much as you should, try to pay attention. You are going to have this dog for the next 10-15+ years so the more you learn in class the better off you will be. There are enough dog haters in the world without you creating more with you and your dogs bad manners around other people. It's all about respect for your fellow human being. Funny Isn't it, the same applies to children! People want to be excited to see you and your pet or children, not to dread it.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT---A Lesson From Our Dogs

2009-02-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

Dogs live in the moment. They don't dwell on the past and they don't think about the future. Why don't people get that! We as beings who are are aware of our own existence find it very difficult to understand that dogs DO NOT think this way. It retards you from your understanding of how dogs learn and the speed in which you accomplish your training. Owners say to me, "he knows what he did!" They are thinking in human terms and not dog terms. The dog is responding to that negative tone of voice that just came out of your mouth, remember the "YOU BAD DOG" you just said? He pooped on the floor an hour ago, he ate the couch when you went to work and now it's 8 hours later and he is sound asleep and you come in and start yelling, and then see" HE KNOWS WHAT HE DID!" People should be more like dogs, and "Live In The Moment". Tomorrow and 5 minutes from now will take care of itself. Correction of bad behavior must be NOW! Correct, don't punish.

PUPPY OWNERS--TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!

2009-02-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

Often times puppy owners want it all right now!. You must slow down, form a good kindergarden foundation and then build on it. You can't put a roof on a house with no walls. You cannot learn to multiply unless we have a good understanding of subtraction, addition and multiplication. Enjoy the puppy-hood, they will grow up faster than you think and before you know it, you spent all your time wanting the pup to grow up and missed all the right training you should have been doing when they were young. Relax, do your training and in a couple of years you will reap the rewards. People tell me i want him to get housebroken, but he is only 4 months old. It takes 3+ years to get kids potty trained, but we want our 4 month old puppy to get it NOW! Slow down, relax and get a good trainer and follow the program. Follow the "trainers" program and not your own. After all that is what you paid us for!

PET SAFETY

2009-02-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

You are responsible for your dogs Safety! You are the charges of their life! If you use retractable leashes learn how to use them and how to lock them quickly when the need arises. Fumbling with a lock lets precious seconds pass and you will not be able to avoid danger quick enough. When a very thin layer of ice forms on your neighborhood ponds and lakes, it looks like a hard surface to dogs. Every year I hear of dogs drowning in this very situation. Be watchful in the things your dog eats and drinks off the ground (anti-freeze, dead rodents, mushrooms and some wild berries). A lack of training is a very large killer of dogs that people do not think about, the Humane Societies are full of them.
Be a responsible Pet owner, be careful and watchful. Train your Pets, spay and neuter!

LOOKING FOR THE HOLY GRAIL OF DOG TRAINING

2009-01-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

Check out my book on my website www.confidentk9kc.com for the Holy Grail of Dog Training.
Read the book for the answer!

CONTROL THAT BARKING!!!!

2009-01-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

Barking is not bad. Being disobedient to the Quiet command is what is bad. I want my dog to bark when someone comes to the door or is on my property, I always praised that behavior.
So what is important is teaching the QUIET command. MY Holy Grail of Training is "Don't Take Good Behavior For Granted", so praise your dog when he/she is quiet. We only punish for barking but never praise when quiet. After 5-6 barks from my dog I would give the Quiet command, if he barked again I would use a shake can, water bottle, whistle or air horn to interrupt the behavior and when he was quiet for that split second, REWARD! and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat this exercise. You can't get verbal control of outside barking unless you take control of inside barking. If all fails get the Cirtonella Gentle Spray Collar, it controls barking by using your dogs senses of sight, touch, smell, hearing and in some instances taste.
Control That Barking!

DOGS ARE FOR LIFE

2009-01-22T14:35:00.000-08:00

First of all Puppy's are not for Christmas, birthdays, for the kids or your other dog. Dogs are for LIFE! Please seek the help of a trainer before you get a dog. Pre-selection counseling is critical. I deal with people all day long that obviously have the wrong dog and they want help. Trainers can only help so much, even we can't put a roof on a foundation with no walls. What they really need is a different dog. The retired and elderly should not get sporting, hunting or herding dogs unless they are very active, are experienced dog owners and have an open mind to learning new things and able to put those new ideas into action. Then, i still don't recommend it!!!!!!!!!!
If you have more than one child and if he/she is under the age of 10 you should stay away from these breeds. All couch potatoes should stay away from these breeds. Nough said!
Puppy training is hard and not for the feign of heart. Also let me say this, a dog is not a CHILD, stop treating them as such. People who treat dogs as children WILL have behavior issues as the dog ages to adulthood, I deal with these problems all day long, they want help, but won't do what is necessary because they feel bad for their Baby! Treat dogs as dogs, train first, then spoil.