Having rescued (and (re)trained) first Dobermanns, but more particularly Rottweilers for more than 35 years, I have frequently witnessed the harm that humans can inflict on animals. Consequently I have VERY strong views on dogs, which I think are wonderful, and dog ownership.
All too often "man's best friend" is treated disgracefully. It is a shocking indictment that in a so-called nation of animal lovers, every single breed of dog has at least one rescue organisation, quite irrespective of the numerous national and regional bodies that cater for all breeds. Sadly a great deal of the abuse and neglect perpetrated upon dogs by owners is the result, not of malice or cruelty, but of IGNORANCE. At least there is some hope here. An important part of my MISSION, where dogs are concerned, is to EDUCATE owners and potential owners, to help them learn about and understand their
dog. It is inexcusable to take on a dog and not look after it properly. Dogs are very dependent, but given the chance, they are loyal, loving, constant, forgiving, even, if necessary, protective and they are a lot of fun. "Dogs ask very little, but they give so much." Dogs are wonderful companions but, whatever their virtues, they are not human. There is a lot of truth in the old maxim, "treat a dog like a human, and it will treat you like a dog!" Dogs do not think like we do. They do not share our standards, values, our moral compass. They don't know our "right" from our "wrong". They are not being good, bad, naughty. They are DOGS, but they do pick up on our moods, our thoughts, our body language. In my opinion WHATEVER my DOG DOES, HOWEVER my DOG BEHAVES, it is NEVER the DOG'S "FAULT." But WHATEVER it DOES and HOWEVER it BEHAVES it is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS MY RESPONSIBILITY. And that is why it is so very important to properly integrate the dog into the family "pack", to establish its place under
your LEADERSHIP and to give it a predictable framework with appropriate boundaries.
You can achieve quite astonishing things with dogs. Training dogs is simple, but not always easy. It requires patience, persistence, consistency, an open mind and a letting go of your ego - often difficult for a man. Fear, force and intimidation have no place in my training regimes. Not only are they repellent, but they are counterproductive. Knocking an animal about does not instil affection, loyalty or even respect. The approach I would recommend every time is patient, step by (small) step progression, employing repetition-repetition-repetition, based on positive reinforcement with rewards and lavish praise.
You need to be incredibly patient, absolutely persistent, totally consistent. Remember, your dog is a reflection of its owner - that's YOU! And here is an indisputable fact you must always try to keep in mind. Many dog (animal) owners are just not aware that ALL the TIME YOU are WITH your DOG (animal) you are TRAINING IT, either knowingly or, (all too often) unwittingly. It is this inadvertent "training", when the DOG is in fact TRAINING YOU, that can be so damaging. If you would like to see just some of the spectacular results that can be obtained with the training I employ please go to my website at www.getintothehealthhabit.com and click on the Dog Trainer/communicator
page where you can view films of my Rescued Rottweilers working, interacting with my horses and even with a wild fox (I have trained to come and feed near them) as well a wild young stag. You can also read and, indeed, download my training notes - "It's ALL ABOUT the DOG."