WARNING SIGN #1: These guys may love your dog and your money, but they can’t stand people and in my honest opinion, should be in a different field. Let’s face it, if you don’t get a good vibe from someone from their website, on the phone, or even in person, look elsewhere. You'll be stuck with them for weeks or even months down the road. At the same token, I've met many wonderful individuals who delivered poor or no results. WARNING SIGN #2: They Rely Heavily on the Use of Treats for Everything Don’t be one of those owners that can’t do much without holding a cookie. It's best to use goodies once in a while and as a surprise. Even better, use them at the "very end" of your training sessions. If you show your dog the treat prior giving a command, sorry, your dog is actually listening because of the treat. (Your dog should listen to you because you said so and because you are his provider!) WARNING SIGN #3: They Fall Under Your Typical "Obedience" Trainer These trainers might know how to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash, stay for a few seconds or lie down, but don’t have a clue how about behavioral issues. I'm talking about being able to solve over-protectiveness towards other dogs, towards people, anxiety, to get it completely housetrained, stop it from jumping up, barking, fighting, nipping, biting and deal with fearfulness. WARNING SIGN #4: They Push For Group Classes and Hate Doing Private Lessons Even the most skilled and the most experienced trainers can’t do much in a group setting. This is just a fact. Every dog owner comes with their own separate agendas. In these classes is where dogs lunge at each other, bark, growl, whimper, pull on leash or even try attack one another nonstop. How is this productive? Sometimes you end up with a dog that somehow listens in the class, but runs the show at home or may listen at home, but makes you look like an idiot in front of total strangers. Most group class trainers will NOT offer any house calls or private lessons even if their life depends on it. WARNING SIGN #5: Okay. Although you rarely accomplish much in a group class, a
trainer should still let you observe any class of your choosing.
It’s even worse if they refuse to give out any references.
Look, if you do a great job, people naturally rave about you.
So if a trainer gets offended or even mad at you when you ask
for a reference--definitely count that as another red flag! WARNING SIGN #6: They Refuse to Get Everyone in Your Family Involved with the Training If the trainer gets annoyed or upset when others want to be involved in training the dog, this indicates they want “you” to carry on the torch all by yourself. So what will end up happening is the dog may listen only to that one family member and become a pain in the behind for everyone else. You'll definitely pay the price once that individual isn’t around or worse, out of town. WARNING SIGN #7: They Tell You to Ignore Your Dog’s Bad Behavior Yes, you read it correctly. They tell you to ignore your dog’s jumping up, barking or whatever and WAIT until your dog actually stops on its own. Hmm… isn’t that the same as not doing Jack?!?! Why even hire an expert in the first place if you can just ignore it all on your own and lose your sanity for free? Oh, the same trainers might also recommend that you never ever say NO to your dog. Their solution: Try saying “Eh-eh” or even worse, bark, growl or yelp like a puppy. Sorry. But NO, means NO, means NO!!! WARNING SIGN #8: They Are too Harsh with Their Training Method. Although I agree that every dog is different. Those that do need a firmer approach, doesn’t mean that they need to get their ass kicked. So please, no hitting, yelling, hanging or slamming your poor dog on its back to prove your point. The only time you need to go to this extreme is to save yourself, a loved one, or a pet for being viciously attacked. WARNING SIGN #9: They Will NOT Let You Try a Different Training Tool You always hear trainers preach: Never use choke chains, only gentle leaders, no pinch collars in my class, we only use shock collars or blah blah blah. The truth is, no tool works every time, on every dog and with every owner. Don't be afraid to experiment and never limit your options. Find the one tool that gets your dog’s attention no matter how tempting the distraction may be. This simply means that particular tool should stop your dog from misbehaving around other dogs, cats, kids, squirrels or moving cars. If someone insists that they know better, challenge them by handing over your dog's leash and say: Here, please show me what you’ve got and the tool in which you swear by. And it better work right NOW! (Hint: That's how you'll know if the tool is getting your dog's attention. It will work immediately. It won't take eight weeks. Eight seconds is more like it.)
They Don't Bother Returning Your
Calls or Check on Your Progress. This is where you find out about someone’s morals and ethics. How responsive they are AFTER you already paid them or after that credit card transaction goes through. For example, there are many trainers that cheat you out of your money with fake lifetime follow ups. When you get to read the fine print on their contract, you’ll find that it was only a lifetime of phone consultation. Hey, there are crooks in every field and dog training isn’t any different. Written by Master Trainer and Author, Kevin "The Dog Prodigy" Salem.
The Best
& The Worst Trainers (In Much
More Depth and Detail)
There are thousands of “average trainers,” with an “average knowledge,” who charge you an “average price,” and deliver, well, that “average results!” Just by ignoring this simple fact, many of you will end up with poor or even worse--no results whatsoever! So who emerges from the pack? There is an amazing energy and spirit about world class trainers which are hard to find. It isn't just about being good or gifted with dogs. There is so much more into it and these guys truly get that. This chapter opens your eyes to the traits and qualities of the smartest and the most successful minds in the canine world. You guessed it. I am talking about those "dream trainers!" Because of their knowledge, drive and passion, they help thousands of dog owners and dog enthusiasts worldwide. Again, I’m referring to the best and brightest. Just like most success stories, luck had very little to do with their high level of success. That’s right. You can’t say that they were at the right place at the right time or happened to meet the right person. And to a certain degree, some of them probably were in the right place, but before you know it, they kept paddling on their own. Don't let this discourage you, but in my opinion, these individuals only make up less than one percent of the top experts in the business. In my years of rubbing elbows with so many different trainers, I’ve known the ones who enjoy fine wine and caviar with the rich and famous. I’ve known those who only taught group classes and didn’t want to go to the next level and were always struggling. I've met those who settled for just being a part-timer or trained people's dogs for fun. And of course, I’ve also met trainers who were very successful, but weren’t really happy. These folks—no matter how much money and success came their way— it was never enough. They simply wanted all the business. To them, the glass was always half empty. You could reassure them by saying, “Don’t worry. There are enough dogs for all of us and you can’t win them all, nor do you really want to.” They’d hear it, but it wouldn’t register. Some of them bombard the search engines with numerous websites. As if they want the entire pizza for themselves. Hey, we all know eating a whole pizza by yourself is definitely not healthy for you! When you give, you shall receive. That’s how great the universe works. The ones who stand out from the pack are truly unique in every
aspect. These folks love what they do. This is why it is so hard
to get a hold of them. As Dr. Phil would say, "They don't
have a free hand to throw a rock." They are often overbooked
and have a waiting list. Teaching, training, conducting seminars,
and traveling everywhere to promote their services or their book
are just to name a few. Sometimes they are busy training others
to follow their passion or to carry on the torch. ............................................................................................... Often this comes down to hiring the best expert money can buy. I also have learned a lot from the worst-of-the-worst. How you ask? It’s very simple. You just do the opposite of what you see with these morons and you’ll make it big. Analyze all of their mistakes, failures and disasters and you’ll learn a few great valuable lessons of what NOT to do! After years of studying those who are considered to be the "real
deal," I've noticed that these individuals operate in a totally
different class and mentality. And no wonder their success rate
was so hard to ignore. When put to the test, these ten qualities
about them stood out immediately: 1. They care about you, your dog and your success. One of the things we always remember about someone is their character. Sadly, moral, ethics and principals aren't that easy to come by these days. You see, in my opinion, it’s not always about
how much you know or how great you are, but it is also about how
much you "care." This simply means these
trainers are truly nice individuals. The old saying, "Nice
guys finish last" isn't their motto. Studies have shown that
nice people live longer, happier, are surrounded by positive people,
attract more business and of course, rarely get sued or killed.
We can tell a lot about someone the minute we talk to them. That is, if you are even able to reach any trainer on the phone or in person. Which brings up the question of caring, once again. Those who care, not only get back to you, but often try to reach you immediately. They understand that many of may need help right away! Grab the phone book or e-mail some trainers from their web sites. You'll soon be disappointed that most will leave you hanging and make you grow gray waiting for a response.
You can always tell when someone is genuinely nice and helpful towards you. And I'm not just talking about dog training here. Here's an example: If a trainer never returns
any of your calls or won't even bother to be interested in your
progress--especially when you already paid them--what
does that really say about their character and morals? You guessed
it. It was all about your money for them, nothing more and nothing
less. ...............................................................
When you are shopping around, and when you're finally able to get a live person on the phone, see if you get a good vibe from them. If not, don't even bother. No matter how good an expert may be, you don’t want to be stuck with a jerk, psycho, weirdo, nut job, and the list goes on and on. When it comes to intuition, women are much more perceptive than
men. They often say, "It has to feel right." Or "I
didn't get a good vibe from that person." If a trainer makes
you feel uncomfortable by being too pushy, rude or condescending,
remember, you could be stuck with this individual in your home,
in private, or in some group class for eight weeks or even longer.
These folks don't just deliver, they outdo their competition by caring about their image and their reputation. And it's no secret that all these efforts automatically make them stand out from others in their field. They know going that extra mile WILL get them that extra result. After all, how many times have you hired a painter, a contractor, an attorney, or even a babysitter who disappointed you with their poor ethics? They did a poor job or didn't even care. As some say, "They just go with the flow and rarely accept constructive criticism from nobody." In a nutshell, you just don't see that "wow factor" or that "pizzazz" in their work. Noooooooo, I didn't say pizza. So please don’t reach for that Parmesan cheese or crushed peppers. Nine out of ten of my clients have already tried PetSmart, Petco, local training classes or have worked with a private trainer and weren't that impressed with the outcome. In almost every case, the trainer was another amateur who trained on the side. Now, for some of you who DID hire a professional, you probably found out the hard way that they weren’t that “professional” after all. Let me explain: They were definitely a pro, but also a pro at doing a lousy job or a pro at ripping you off! Let’s face it, there are millions of people out there who do something for a living but don't have their heart and soul in it. There is no passion. They just can't wait until they get out of their workplace. Which explains why the rate of heart attacks is at its highest on Mondays! How fast someone gets back to you, or if they even bother to get back to you at all, is just one of the things to consider when looking for a reputable expert. Let me give you an example: A lot of group class trainers won’t return your call if they don't have a class starting. The same applies if their class happens to be full or they won’t be holding any during the winter. What's worse is they don’t even bother to mention this on their voicemail. It’s fair to assume that you are not a psychic and won’t know why nobody got back to you. Was it because their class was full or because they don't train your particular breed of dog? Maybe it’s because the trainer is out of town, sick, wants to take a break or is not accepting any more clients at the moment. I'm sure you'd agree that the polite and professional thing to do is to at least mention this on your answering machine. Even better, they could have an actual person get back to you by phone or e-mail to let you know what's really going on. But sadly, this is rarely the case. Whether it is in person, on the phone, or by e-mail, the ones who truly stand out are usually very responsive, caring and professional. Most of them rarely sound pushy or desperate. One of my saying is, "Not everyone recognizes, appreciates, or even deserves the very best." What I also found fascinating about these successful experts was not only that they were incredible trainers, but actually great counselors. Don’t get offended when I say this, but the majority of you get nervous, tense and sometimes even too harsh with your dog. Some people can’t or simply won’t follow instructions
properly, and some are too loud or get abusive with their dogs.
And of course many of you refuse to get firm, especially when
your dog happens to challenge everything you tell him to do. Now,
THAT is when people skills come in handy. You really need to make
sure you don't ignore the other end of the leash. Many dog schools focus most of their efforts on nit-picking,
correcting and scolding you in front of your entire family or,
even worse, in front of complete strangers in a group setting.
How can this be fun or productive? What makes a good trainer brilliant
is his or her ability to praise your good habits while pointing
out your mistakes in a courteous, yet constructive manner. The ones who make a positive impact among pet owners are those who realize there is a difference between insulting someone and giving them a critique. The truth is, there are hundreds of great "trainers" out there, but only a few great "instructors"! As I mentioned earlier, the challenge lies in teaching and showing the people. Dogs are easy. Here's an example: I had a trainer who worked for me that told
one of our clients that if he kept on yanking his dog's leash
for no reason, that she'd jerk HIS NECK to show him how it felt.
Now, she obviously cared about the dog, but couldn't care less
about getting her point across without losing her cool or offending
the owner. There are right and wrong ways to stand up for a dog,
and the way she handled it was definitely not nice or professional.
As a writer I hate saying this, but please don't believe everything
you read—especially things that just don't make any sense.
If the method doesn’t seem logical to you or sounds a bit
foolish, how do you suppose your poor dog is going to make sense
out of it? Some trainers come up with absurd and irrational methods
and try to brainwash you left and right. Here's a Different Scenario: Let's say you catch one of your dogs chewing on your favorite shoes while the other one is dead asleep snoring. Are you supposed to just scream bloody murder--"LEAVE IT"--and make both of them jump? Oh, don't you worry. I saved the best for last. Many clicker trainers preach that dogs don’t understand English. That’s why they rather rely on the sound of a clicking sound instead of kind words to praise a dog. Call me old school, but I rather praise my four-legged friend with lots of verbal and physical praise instead of some clicking device. But then again, that's just me. Hey, even if you slap a bunch of bologna up against the wall, I promise you that some will stick. Back to dogs not understanding English. Then what language are
you speaking when you tell your dog: Sit, Down, Heel, Come, Stay,
Good boy, Good girl, Fetch, It’s Okay, Off or NO bite? That’s
not Swahili, is it? Here is what they recommended: The minute they got near other dogs and kids, she needed to do lots of parallel walks while giving the dog a bunch of treats. (Parallel walks?! That's what I said too.) The idea was that the treats would distract the dog, or, make the dog think, "Hey, I should forget about killing kids or dogs.... WHOA Dude! Is that beef jerky in your hand?" Well, that was La La land or wishful thinking
for you. So here's what happened instead: ........................................................................ Even with what you read in my book or on my website, observe it with an open mind and TRY it first. Then be the judge! Folks, that's the beauty of being “Diverse.” Once you honestly try different ways, only then you can be certain which method worked and which didn't. Otherwise, you are just relying on assumptions instead of facts. Whether you see a certain technique on television, hear it from your trainer, or it comes from someone with a Ph.D., you need to stop and ask yourself: Does what they're telling me seem logical or practical? And besides getting rid of my dog, what other options do I have. Haven't you heard the saying, "Only a dead fish goes with a flow?" Then be smart about it and don't let others influence or brainwash you. Effective trainers don't mind asking you, "Does this make sense to you?" or "Do you see the logic behind what we are trying to accomplish here?" Again, if it doesn't make any sense, please don't make a fool out of yourself.
Wouldn't be nice if dogs did what we expected from them on their own. But the reality is even kids and most adults don't do that. So how can you expect this from your poor dog? If you honestly hope that out of ten things, nine of them your dog will make you proud, then you should stop reading this book. You obviously have an amazing dog that is even more trained than I am. Here's Another Thought-Provoking Question for You: Do your good habits come to you naturally or the bad ones? Think of eating healthy, exercising, saving, watching less television, reading quality books, or just getting off your lazy ass and do something productive. Do any of these come naturally to all of us? No they do not. In fact, we always have to keep on pushing and reminding each other to follow them on a regular basis. Checkmate! Look, we were taught to use common sense from a very early age. In case you forgot, the lesson was: “Stop and think.” It wasn't “Go for it, Chopper! Then we'll think of the consequence!" (Now for some of us, getting the lesson afterward works much better. I guess as long as we get it that's all that really matters, wouldn't you agree?) Bottom line, ignoring your dog's bad habits is not natural, rational
or effective. If you don't believe me, then totally ignore all
of your dog's counter surfing, jumping up on you, on your guests
and ignore that embarrassing humping of everyone. Prove it to
me that this "ignoring strategy" is going to work. Best
of all, don't just prove it to me, prove it to yourself! 3. They Have an Uncanny
Ability to Pay Attention to Details Whether my clients pay extra for me to fly to them or they prefer to send their dogs to me, I ask many questions and like a crime scene investigator, observe everything and I do mean everything. It's very similar to studying an opponent's strengths and weaknesses. I observe your technique, your dog’s history, its daily routine and what you've done up to this point. Are you firm, easy-going, loud, harsh, or persistent? Do you have a spoiled dog and afraid that even saying "NO" to him might hurt his feelings and we may never see him wag that tail again? I cannot emphasize enough the importance of such details. In fact, by paying attention to details, I always accomplish much more even if I train your dog in my boot camp and without your initial involvement. ............................................................................................ When you introduce distractions gradually and smartly, you'll
be able to achieve eyebrow-raising results. Hiring an expert that
offers private lessons is the only way you'll be able to ask questions
that pertain specifically to your needs. You'll soon
realize that one-on-one approach is THE best and quickest way
to get maximum results. This means their method is practical. Remember, your training technique has to work anywhere and anytime or else you're wasting your time. Unless their way of training is "Diverse," you are setting up yourself and your poor dog for a disaster. Let me clarify. These trainers will make sure that your dog is not just another “Half-trained Dog.” You know, the dogs that: In other words, as soon as your dog sees another dog, a cat, the mailman, a visitor dropping by or spots a squirrel, all the obedience goes out the window. That's what I mean by a "half-trained dog." Elite trainers always prepare you and your dog to become street-smart. Making your dog do bunch of tricks can be fun and cute, but tricks are rarely practical. Always remember this: If your training method stops working around people that your dog loves dearly or feels threatened by, you can’t refer to it as real-life dog training. So if you have a half-trained dog, it probably means you've been wasting your time and money with the wrong method, wrong classes and certainly the wrong trainer. Oh, and please make sure that "you" are not the half-trained of the pack. Hey, it happens. If a method is truly effective, you'll see it working immediately. .................................................................................................................... Most of us can tell
when someone is just feeding you a bunch of bologna. Topnotch
trainers rarely worry about this, since they are known to deliver
jaw-dropping results within minutes and sometimes even seconds. Rookies always tell you that it takes time or it can't be done. I usually tell my clients: "You watch. By the second lesson, we'll talk about how bad your dog used to behave and how he has changed for the better already." If you've watched any of the video clips on my site, you may
be surprised to learn that I've trained most of those dogs in
a matter of minutes. Pay close attention to the shadows on the
ground. I get the dog under control immediately and gain their
trust on the spot. The rest is just polishing up and making sure
they obey their owners. After all, it is NOT my dog, and your
dog should learn to respond to you. 5. They Will Your Dog Completely
Off-leash Trained Only true professionals can deliver such results. These trainers proudly advertise this specialty. Since the majority of trainers teach for fun or as hobby, their own dogs don’t always respond to them off-leash. So how can you possibly expect these folks to help you get such results with your unruly dog? Bottom line, amateurs and hobbyists don’t have a clue about how to get your dog completely off-leash trained. ................................................................................................................ I mentioned this earlier, but it’s definitely worth repeating again: You and your pooch need to be prepared for those "what if" scenarios. What if your dog bolts out the door, manages to slip out of her collar, breaks her collar, or attacks another dog? Maybe your dog was running free, everything was fine and he was just hanging out when all of a sudden ______________ (you fill in the blank). The truth is, no matter how careful or responsible you may be, someday your dog WILL get loose and will make a fool out of you. Only a very small percentage of trainers have the expertise to teach you the true art of off-leash training. Make sure you hire the right expert. My clients love to get their dogs completely off-leash trained. And sadly, about ninety percent of them have already worked with a few trainers who didn't have a clue how to get a dog so trained to the point of just “verbal response.” The few that did notice an off-leash trained dog in the class, happened to be the trainer’s dog. Pay a close attention on graduation day, is the trainer's dog still the only off-leash trained dog there? Hmm... this again clearly indicates that the instructor was able to get his or her dog to that level of compliance, but failed to do so with the clients' dogs. A case of great trainer, but a poor instructor, fits this example like OJ's glove!
I am referring to help you tackle: Jumping Up, Play-biting, Potty training, Overprotectiveness, Separation Anxiety, Dominance, Hyperactivity, Counter Surfing to Bolting Out and Not Coming When Called. Why let an older dog or even a young puppy run your life for
you, when you are the one who is paying all the bills and providing
everything else? The least your dog can do is obey your commands
and respect the rules of your house. Is that too much to ask?
Top experts are experienced in working with all breeds of dogs. In fact, most welcome the challenge of working with tough cases. Whether your dog is considered as a bully breed, dominant, aggressive, un-trainable, red zone, or extremely shy, they usually will do their best to save your dog from being put down and prove everybody wrong. Best of all, they have the knowledge and the years of expertise to back it up. Let's face it. We all know that the majority of trainers flat out refuse to work with difficult, big and dominant dogs. As soon as you mention that you have a Rottweiler or a Pit Bull, and before you get the chance to say that it is just a puppy or very friendly, most will cut you off and say, “I’m sorry, but we don’t accept that breed of dog.” Diverse trainers have the experience to work with toughest breeds such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Akitas, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Bull Dogs, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, and even those giant breeds that look like a Pit Bull on steroids. I'm talking about Presa Canario, Cane Corso, Dogo Aregentino and my mom’s favorite—Kevin Salemo. Some of you may find this hard to believe, but even a Labrador Retriever can be a challenge to train. That’s because this popular breed is known to be very strong, hyper, over-friendly and easily distracted. A true dog lover will never discriminate against a certain breed. Whether your dog happens to be small, big, scary, wussy, mixed, or a breed with a bad reputation, it doesn't make one bit of difference. A dog is just another dog to them.
Let's face it, no parent can ever raise a child properly without being firm and kind. Firm alone may get you somewhere, but mixing it with "kind" is what makes a relationship healthy and loving. I met a trainer years ago who had a super-trained dog. This dog was one of the best trained German Shepherds that I have ever seen. But there is a sad side to the story. When his owner would release him and send him off to play, the dog would just stand there and look at him. Some of you guessed it. The dog was simply waiting for the next command and in a way, acted like a soldier instead of a happy dog. This is what I call "over-training" a dog. The poor thing just couldn't have fun. He didn’t even want to play with my dogs or interact with people. How sad. I told the trainer, “It’s obvious you’ve done a great job becoming your dog’s master, but you are definitely not his buddy.” He shrugged and said, “Kevin, you can be his best friend. I don't really care about stuff like that.” ............................................................................................. Nobody can blame you for being your dog's "buddy." But even as your dog's friend, your dog to should meet your expectations and follow some rules. .......................................................................................... How is this NOT common sense? The idea is to praise when your dog when he responds to you and correct him for behaving badly on the spot. As long as you don't confuse firm with harsh or abusive, your dog will end up with a balanced dog. Don't forget that firm could be as simple as tugging on the leash when you catch your dog misbehaving, and as soon as you see him responding, praise him with kind words and lots of affection. Effective trainers always recommend to tug on the leash in order to stop your dog's lunging, jumping, barking excessively, snapping or when your dog refuses to obey a command he already knows. Holding tightly onto your dog's leash isn't training. That's just restraining and any moron can do that. ..................................................................................................... You'll always know when you see
a master in action. You can't help but notice how smooth their technique flows as you watch your dog perform at his best, right before your eyes. This again proves that they have years of hands-on experience. Sorry. But reading a bunch of dog books or training a few of your friends' and neighbors' dogs on weekend won’t do it. These folks have trained if not thousands, at least hundreds of dogs over the years which is why they have the confidence AND the skill to back it up. Their uncanny ability goes far beyond skill and
knowledge, and sometimes even reaches to an instinctual level.
And there is something funny about instinct, like class, you either
have it or you don’t. Here's an interesting experiment: Gather the best-of-the-best dog gurus in the world, but take away all of their training tools. This means no collars, no harnesses, no leashes, no treats, no tennis balls, and certainly no shock collars. They might as well be totally naked. Then throw in some unruly dogs and let’s see what happens. Trust me. There wouldn’t be much even these dog wizards could do. Now, unless one of them possesses some kind of super mind-control power like Criss Angel, which you'll agree that he is a memorable performer. Even the almighty Cesar Millan needs his tennis racket while dealing with unpredictable and snappy dogs. Think about this for a moment. Could you do your current job without your pen, paper, phone, vehicle, computer or certain tools and equipment? Some of you probably could, but I'm sure that you'll agree certain tools do make our jobs much easier. In fact, without some, it would be like jumping into a time machine and traveling hundred years back. So the use of proper tools and technology always improve the speed and quality of our work. It is no different when it comes to achieving certain tasks in regards to training, controlling or managing your dog's different needs. These trainers will educate and actually let you try different collars so you see for yourself which ones gets your dog’s attention and which do not. They always adapt, think outside the box and their main objective is making sure that “you” are the one who ultimately can control your dog in ANY situation. If a certain tool doesn't even seem to faze your dog when you REALLY need it to, what’s the point of using it? That is like buckling your seat belt to a clip that barely holds, or even worse, there is no clip and you just throw the stupid belt over your shoulder holding it under your armpit so you fool the cops. But who are you really fooling? Now take a close look at your training tool that you are walking and training your dog with. Does it stop your dog from misbehaving around total strangers? How about around other dogs that your pooch hasn't met? Don't forget the cats, kids, joggers or moving cars. I’m sure you’ll agree that most of the distractions that I just described fall under our day-to-day routines. Now take a close look at your training tool that you are using with your dog. Does it stop your dog from misbehaving around total strangers? What about around other dogs that your pooch may not know? Don't forget the cats, kids, joggers or moving cars. I’m sure you’ll agree that most of the distractions that I just described fall under our day-to-day distractions. Sadly, the majority of trainers and dog schools limit you to only one particular tool. A tool that might work on a small dog that isn’t too dominant or too aggressive, but hoping or assuming that same tool would get you the same results with a much larger, stronger or far more determined dog is just not reality. In fact, it reminds me of bringing a knife to a gun fight. Unless you are some kind of super ninja, like me, you won’t stand a chance. My ninja moves evolve around the TV remote. I have all the buttons memorized and can work them blindfolded while munching on a steamy hot pocket. Most trainers stubbornly refuse to let you experiment with different
tools. Not allowing you to be diverse just doesn't make sense
to me, especially if you've already followed the trainer’s
advice with little or no success. .........................................................................
......................................................................... So the fair thing to do for me is to leave all options on the table and let "you" decide. Here's what will make you even more mad: The majority of trainers are very familiar with other training tools on the market, but they keep you in the dark. You must find what works best for you and “this dog”--not what worked on your previous dogs, your friends' dogs or even the rest of the dogs in some obedience class. We are all different and so are our canine friends. Diverse experts help you find the one training tool that is a perfect match for your strength, mobility, limitation and let’s not forget—your overall expectations from your dog. They also put a lot of thoughts and consideration into your dog's size, speed, strength, intelligence and determination. I’m a believer in having a strong technique and a positive attitude, but having a useful tool that is the perfect choice for a certain dog and certain owner also plays a significant role in a trainer's success.
10. They Never Give Up and Have a "Diverse
Method" I’ve enjoyed reading dozens of books on obedience, behavior modification, canine psychology and breed characteristics. However, what I found was that learning from books is definitely helpful, but I also believe that, “If you do everything from reading books, then it could also mean that you can’t do much outside the book.” After all, that’s how we grow and push boundaries, don't we? It's often our own individual uniquenss and creativity! In conclusion, there are many trainers out there, but only a few masters. These ten elements are the true qualities of the legendary experts in the business. Such greatness is extremely hard to come by. As I mentioned earlier, I believe that they make up less than one percent out there. And yes, the best always has a price tag. I’ve met and worked with many in person and found them to be amazing. They were excellent trainers AND amazing instructors. They were confident and sometimes even a bit cocky—but they usually backed it up with their skill and knowledge. This reminds me of another thing I always say: "It's good to be humble, unless you are pressed against the wall and only then should you be able to crush your competition." Or, Act strong when you're weak and weak when you're strong." The last quote is from a boxing movie, Gladiator. Most of these individuals have dedicated years of their lives making a difference by helping pet owners and dog trainers. Remember, there is a big difference between having a well-behaved dog and possessing the technique, knowledge, patience and, most important, the passion to teach it to others. These experts have mastered all ten of these principles, which is why they are incredibly successful and come highly recommended. If you are a trainer reading this and your goal is to become one of the greatest, study and master all ten of these traits. That is if you flat out refuse to settle for “good,” “better,” or even “excellent,” but prefer to become one of the greatest icons, dog phenomena, and a true legend, you will have to excel in every one of these qualities. Sorry. There is no other way to become as one of the best and brightest in the world of dogs . In a nutshell, what makes these trainers brilliant is their versatility and ability to mix different methods in a smart, effective and a nonviolent fashion. Their main goal is to custom fit an approach that works best for you and your pooch. Is there a legend in your town? Maybe, maybe not. Most of my clients travel hours to work with me. Some fly me to their city or country because they weren't impressed by any of their local “trainers.” Or the so-called expert told them that their dog was hopeless. What is my goal in all this? To impress people and most importantly, to give them a real hope. I love what I do and am on top of my game. Best of all, I welcome the challenge and am willing to help you with your dog’s needs.
Taken from Kevin's Book,
"Hidden Secrets Behind Dog Training"
Written by International Trainer and Dog Psychologist, Kevin "The Dog Prodigy" Taken from Kevin's Book, "Hidden Secrets Behind Dog Training" We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” --Chuck Palahniuk
This Book Gives You a Totally New Perspective About: 1. Yourself - Your thoughts, beliefs and perception
of your current and previous dogs. Book's Description: This book takes a deeper look at modern dog training and canine psychology while it also introduces you to the next level and the future of training and canine behavior modification—“The Diverse Method.” Think about it. If there are more than four hundred different breeds of dogs in this world, how can they possibly all respond to only one way of training? Have you ever considered that fact? You see, every dog was bred specifically for a purpose. So for any expert to argue that you can train EACH AND EVERY ONE with just Positive Reinforcement or Negative Reinforcement show their arrogance, lack of experience and diversity. The secret is to follow a "Diverse Reinforcement" because, just as with humans, dogs don't always respond to a strictly positive or negative approach. Here's where it gets more interesting. All dog trainers know this, but don't or can't teach it in their training method. !!! Now Did I Get Your Attention??? !!! Look, you are definitely NOT going to be safe, smart or successful if you rely on just one way of training as a crutch. The key to greatness is to arm yourself with different training techniques that will prepare you for ANY dog, despite their age, size, strengths, intelligence, past history or personality. Again, I am talking about being "Diverse" because no method and no training tool is guaranteed to work in every situation and on every dog. That's just a fact! This is one of those rare books that will make you smile, make you laugh, make you think and even challenge you to push yourself far beyond your leash or your bag of treats. It is filled with life lessons along with my incredible journey with dogs from all walks of life. If you are the sensitive type, you may get a few lumps in your throat. I've spent a decade writing this book, which inspired me to learn something new from every dog, every owner and every trainer I've encountered. So, in a way, the book has grown with me. My hope is that when you finish it, both you and your dog will be able to communicate with one another much more effectively. --Kevin "The Dog Prodigy"
Ever since he was young, Kevin has been able to relate and communicate with dogs in a very special way. You know when you meet a natural. We’ve all seen one. These individuals are rarely taught, but rather born. In over two decades of working with different breeds, he has successfully trained well over 10,000 dogs worldwide, earning him the nickname,“The Dog Prodigy.” He is one of those rare experts in his field who has the knowledge and the expertise to accept challenging cases that the majority of dog schools simply don’t want to deal with. We are referring to “red zone dogs,” and those already given up on by many trainers, veterinarians and even animal behaviorists. He is proud of saving hundreds of these dogs from abandonment, shelters, or worse, euthanasia. Kevin gained his experience from studying and practicing different methods of training. To expand his knowledge even further, he also compared the strengths and weaknesses of different theories from more than a hundred books on dog training, dog behavior, and canine psychology. Mr. Salem currently operates his school, Dog Secrets, where
he offers house calls not only throughout the US, but globally.
You may also send your dog to his most popular program, the Doggie
Boot Camp.
!!! More Extremely Thought-Provoking Articles Worth Reading !!! What Most Trainers Ignore or Even Hide From You!
Why Can't You Get Your Dog to Respond Around "Other"
Dogs? Using
Treats? Are You Really Being Rational, Practical and Natural? 99%
Sweet - 1% Cujo!!! When Nice, Smart Dogs Get Down Vicious!
20 Reasons
Why Your Doesn't Listen When it Matters the MOST!
When and Why You Should Doubt Your Technique or Your Trainer!
Inside the Mind of Veterinarians and Their Staff (Dog Etiquettes!)
Turning
a Childhood Tragedy into Triumph! - Kevin's Sad Story!! Have you noticed that the very best things in life are rarely "things". They are your loved ones, your happiness, your passion, your health, your attitude, your love, and your accomplishment. --Kevin "The Dog Prodigy"
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Dog Kennels Whether you own a dog publication, on line or on site dog store, are a dog columnist... you guessed it. Basically anything that relates to caring, training, grooming, spoiling, or rescuing dogs, you will get a copy of Kevin’s book for FREE. The cost of the book is usually around twenty dollars. In return all we ask for is 5,00 for shipping and handling of the book. All you have to do is some sort of proof. Your web site, your listing, your ad, a pay stub or just a call from your employer or pet hospital confirming that you work there.
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