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Dog Training and Dog Trainers
By Valli Aman
There are numerous benefits from having your dog trained and learning "how to" train your own dog. Connecting with a good trainer and bringing your dog to group training classes can be a pivotal move to the lifelong mental, physical and emotional health of your dear dog-friend. You may decide you prefer private sessions at your home and most likely you'll begin by searching in free local publications that you find in pet supply stores, possibly asking a friend that has a dog to see if they have a good trainer and after your decision, arrange for private or group training lessons. You and your dog attend class together and both of you learn the importance of basic behaviors for both animal and human.
This sounds rather simple. Just find a class or trainer, wake up early on Saturday or Sunday morning and get started. It would all be easy with the exception of the fact that there are various classes from which to choose with either great or poor instructors. With a poor instructor you can become discouraged which leads to discontinuing training and making no further arrangements for your dog to be trained at all. Those untrained "looking-for-a-leader" dogs begin an immediate process of poor behavior which many times lead to being brought into a shelter or being re-homed. This way is too repetitive a practice; the idea of "if the dog doesn't work out, I'll just return it."
FYI: Return any dog to the shelter and say an almost immediate "good bye" to that pup or adult dog no matter how wonderful they may be. Returning a dog puts a bad mark on their "record" and they can be "put down" within 4 days.
Realistically, the economy is stretching our pockets now and the expense of training your dog may seem prohibitive. There are trainers out there but who are these trainers and what will they do for your dog?
Just so you can have a little history of trainers, I can tell you that there were plenty of elements and details about the occupation of "Dog Training" that I knew nothing about upon completion of my college education but I was going forward with a smile on my face. I had done a lot of research and sought out and met several experienced trainers who watched over me, correcting my every move and molding me into the trainer I have become up until now. I did strong research and developed relationships with viable trainers in the area so I would grow, even at the expense of taking some very hard knocks from them as they tried to shake this apple from the tree.
There is a certain form of ego-power that runs through dog trainers. It's part of the work. But being assertive and educated doesn't necessarily guarantee a talent for working with dogs or people. So ask to watch a training session or ask for a free observation session if the trainer does not offer some free time and see what you think about the trainer's ways. Call the trainer and have a discussion with them. Do you like how they speak? Do they have heart?
You want a dog trainer that makes sense to you and someone with whom you resonate. I have walked into homes to meet a new client and have been told ahead of time that "their dog is terribly out of control." I've requested that prior to my arrival, the collar and leash be put on the dog and for them to ask for a sit-stay before I enter. I arrive and ring the bell. The owner opens the door. Much to the shock of the owner, the dog remains in a sit-stay. I've stood in the doorway and then walked through that threshold of supposed aggressive dogs for over 3 minutes on the clock without them moving or exhibiting any bad behavior. How am I to know that this is unusually positive behavior for the dog and that the dog is exhibiting a calm relaxed state just because I arrived? There is no actual way I can know until you as owner tells me but you can tell immediately by your observation alone. I begin every session with observation and so should you.
It is all energy. So whether you are on the phone trying to find a dog trainer, sitter or walker, feel sure that you resonate with the person. Your dog will be much more sensitive than you to the energy you feel from the person you are about to hire.
Please take time and be very certain about your commitment to having a long term growing, learning and loving relationship with your pet dog prior to adopting one. Your dog will love you for giving them the attention they need and they will be very happy to please you with their basic good behavior.
Need more information:
Valli Aman, ABCDBT
Oh My Dog
Website: www.ohmydog-la.com
E: valli_ohmydog@yahoo.com
Valli Aman is Graduate of Animal Behavior College (ABCDBT); Sr. Trainer for East Valley Shelter Training Program; Owner of "Oh My Dog," "Visions Photography" (www.visionsphotography-la.com) and TV Host/Producer of "Visions" a TV/Radio program based upon metaphysical possibilities, philosophies and philosophers alive in our world today.