Correct Your Top 10 Biggest Dog Training Mistakes!

Even "Trainers" Are Guilty of Making These Mistakes
and Believe Some of These Myths.

From the Book, "Hidden Secrets Behind Dog Training"

Just by correcting these ten mistakes and misconceptions, you’ll automatically improve your chances of success to a level matching the top 1% of truly effective dog owners in the world. You may find this hard to believe, but even experienced trainers make some of these mistakes. Yes, sadly, I am referring to those who are paid to train people's dogs on a regular basis.

If you truly want to cut down on your training time and see a REAL difference in your dog’s training response, busting these myths and correcting these very common mistakes will be your stepping stone to amazing success!

Myth #1:

Dogs Were Born to Please and Serve Humans

FACT: It is actually the poor “owners” who are pleasing and spoiling their dogs left and right. Think about this for a moment. If this myth were really true, you wouldn't be reading this right now. Sorry. But you rarely run into pleasing dogs.

Here’s How I'm Going to Prove My Point:

Say your dog starts barking excessively, mouthing you, or jumping up or on your visitors. Does she stop with a simple “NO,” or do you mostly keep telling her to stop over and over again? Hmm... she’s not pleasing you there, is she? Or how about when your dog keeps on charging at your cat, another dog, or maybe at one of your guests? You yell out commands and even try to “physically” control or restrain him. Does he obey you then? I’m guessing the answer is still NO.

Here’s the undeniable fact: Your dog clearly sees that you are frustrated. It is obvious from your yelling, your demeanor and from desperately trying to control your dog. He clearly gets it that you are frustrated from him acting unruly, yet he STILL flat out ignores you. A-ha! Then again, you can’t call him a “pleaser,” can you?

Family, friends and maybe some of your neighbors can tell that your dog loves you dearly, but let’s not confuse that with “respect” or “compliance.” If all dogs are truly pleasers, then why in the world we have so many dog training books, dog trainers, dog behaviorists and even doggie shrinks out there? Think again, if this myth were really true, don’t you think that everybody would have a perfect dog with no bad manners whatsoever? No matter what the circumstances and no matter how tempting the distraction, everybody’s dogs would listen in a heartbeat and everybody would own a super-trained pooch.

You’d hear dog owners shouting across the street, “Hello there, how’s Roscoe doing?” One would laugh and respond, “He’s pleasing me all right! And how’s little Daisy coming along?” You’d hear, “Man, we never even trained that sucker. But she listens to us everywhere and every time. It’s unbelievable. As a matter of fact, we sometimes call her Lassie. Hey, just today she put my ten-year-old to shame on Twitter.”

Myth #2:

Training Ruins a Dog's Personality and Breaks His Spirit

FACT: A sure sign of an abusive method is violence! When you catch yourself or a trainer yelling, hitting or hanging your poor dog off his feet in order to make him submit or obey commands, you are definitely being harsh and abusive.

Let’s face it, not everybody in your household might be on the same page when it comes to training or disciplining your dog. You may try to enforce some kind of rules and boundaries, but it is just a matter of time when you'll be facing the wrath of the one who is usually spoiling the dog rotten. "Leave him alone and let him be happy, for crying out loud" is what most likely the spoiler of the family will tell you. Ironically, those who usually pamper the dog to this extreme, always try to defend and justify their unacceptable behavior. And what’s sad is, when it comes right down to it, the dog won’t even respect or obey “them.” So who's happy now?

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Being abusive is what breaks a dog’s spirit--not enforcing rules and boundaries.
When you catch your dog making a mistake, you need to correct it, NOT punish it.
There is a big difference!

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Certain training tools such as the Choke Collar, Pinch Collar, Electronic Collar, a Head Halter or even a clicker can also be misused in the wrong hands. I once noticed a dog that was afraid of a clicker. The owner kept on clicking it next to the dog's ear and the poor dog kept jumping back and cowering. That’s why it makes more sense to rely on your "voice" to mark a command or a good behavior instead of the sound of click-click. So unless you are mute or have three hands, one to hold the clicker, one to hold the treats, and another to hold the leash, there is no need for a nonsense clicking device.

Besides, humans have successfully been able to teach dogs master different commands with their voice for hundreds of years now. Click, click. BOOOM. Now take that! Clicker trainers!

Myth #3:

You Shouldn't Bother Training a Dog if He is Too Young or Too Old!

FACT: No dog is ever too young or too old to learn right from wrong, what is acceptable and what is not. So it doesn’t really matter if your dog is a stubborn old grouch or a naughty puppy.

By being diverse, you’ll increase your chance of success whether you are dealing with an 8-week-old puppy or an 18-year-old grouch. Bottom line, any dog can learn to follow your rules and obey your commands regardless of age, size, history or temperament. Yes, even your dog!

Besides, can you really put up with any more of your dog’s habits? So when you really think about it, because of the age factor, you let your dog pee and poop everywhere, jump up on your guests, lunge, snap, bark nonstop, run around like a maniac or knock down the kids just because he is only a few weeks or even a few years old. Sounds like insanity, doesn’t it?

Bottom line, there are no excuses or age limit for ANY of your dog’s unacceptable behavior! Based on my personal experience in dealing with thousands of dogs, I promise you that there is no bad habit that cannot be reduced and even eliminated no matter how old or young a dog may be.

Even if your poor dog is friendly with other dogs, there will be that one odd dog that will pick on yours and attack it for no reason. Yes, just because he feels like it.

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I’ve witnessed very nasty dog fights where the owner of the dog who started the fight snuck out of the dog park leaving a bloody and injured dog behind. Sadly, this results in that dog losing total trust in its owner and becoming fearful or even aggressive toward certain breeds, or worse, toward ALL dogs for a very long time or for the rest of its life.

Here’s a great way to look at it. Haven’t you met someone who didn’t like you, or even picked on you for no reason? Think of that relative, neighbor or co-worker. It is not much different when it comes to our canines’ mindset in dog parks. Many of the dogs will keep on pushing your dog’s buttons picking on him over and over again, until he can’t or won’t take it anymore and snap. And that’s when you’d see his Cujo side, a side of him that you’ve never seen or didn’t think he had in him. Now, can you really blame your dog here? (This question depends on who you ask. But Yes and NO is the correct answer.)

You know your dog better than anyone else. So if you clearly see that he or she isn’t yet comfortable with other dogs or might be terrified of them, dragging it to a dog park is a big mistake. Take dogs sniffing one another. In the dog world, when a dog sniffs another dog’s rear or genitals, that’s very similar to our handshake. But the truth is, some of these dogs aren’t ready for a handshake or maybe they just don’t want to. Is that wrong? Haven’t you met someone who didn’t want to shake your hand and left you hanging?

So here's a typical scenario with scared dogs: Dogs that are shy and timid will hide behind their owners, under benches, or run away from other dogs. In fact, if you could read their minds, you’d hear, “Please save me! All these dogs are trying to take a chunk out of me!” And the dogs that are doing the chasing are thinking to themselves, “What is wrong with this dog? What does he have to hide anyway? Why won’t he let us sniff him down there? Just stand still so we all can sniff your booty for crying out loud, and it will be all over soon.”

Plus, by sniffing each other down there, dogs gather information about one another. Just like you can tell a lot about someone’s handshake, dogs can do so by sniffing each other in their danger zone. You may find this shocking, but they can tell if the other dog is altered, dominant, sick or even what they had for lunch or breakfast.

As you can see, taking your pooch to dog parks is a gamble where the odds play strongly against you. Some of you might challenge me by saying, “But Kevin, he loves the dog park. He has a blast every time I take him there.” Well, that’s like saying, “My kids love pizza. They have a blast every time the door bell rings. We eat pizza for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks.” If that’s the case, then invite me too. I really don’t think one more Teletubby would hurt. Kids also have a blast playing video games constantly, talking on the phone, texting and surfing the Internet 24/7, but that doesn't mean it is right or healthy for them.

You, as a responsible adult and smart parent should know better. And when you don’t, you’ll definitely pay the consequences in the long haul. Taking your pooch to dog parks isn't any different.

Myth #6:

Joining a 6-8 Week Group Class is Just As Good As
ANY Dog Training Program Out There

FACT: If you carefully study your dog’s behavior, you’ll notice that the root cause of his bad habits all originated from your living room, your backyard and within your own neighborhood.

Bad habits such as: Barking nonstop, jumping up, play-biting, destructiveness, aggression or marking inappropriately are just to name a few. Let’s not forget your dog stealing food off counters, bolting out the door or pulling you on the leash. And how can we leave out issues like terrorizing your poor cat, fighting with your other dog or behaving improperly around your visitors.

You’ll improve your chances of success dramatically when you work with an expert in private. Think about it. How in the world can ANY trainer no matter how qualified he or she may be, help you with these challenging issues in a class full of ten more untrained dogs not to mention novice owners?

Here is another problem with group classes: they are not part of your typical daily routine! Ask yourself, when was the last time you ran into ten owners who were all desperately trying to make their dogs obey fancy commands? Never! You most likely run into one person walking or jogging a dog, waiting at the vet's office or when passing through the aisle in a pet store. Now these are what you call real-life scenarios! Don’t forget about the dogs that try to antagonize yours by barking excessively as you walk near their fence or even lunge viciously toward you and your dog.

The idea is to prepare yourself and your dog for those with poor skills or even worse, a poor judgment. Some of these lovely folks let their unruly dog walk totally loose as you face them with “your” out-of-control dog. Now there is a recipe for disaster. Hopefully you have your dog on a leash. If not, the movie, Dumb and Dumber comes to mind.

You see, whether someone is walking, jogging, or being pulled by their dog, you HAVE TO BE able to keep your pooch under your control. Even when you are approached by a loose or stray dog, your dog must obey your commands without losing its cool. Is that level of control over your dog even possible? You bet it is.

What’s worse about group classes is whether it is your dog behaving badly or others’, you’ll soon be disappointed to find that these classes will NOT make you “street-smart.” That’s right. You need to be prepared for the real world. The majority of owners who have tried a six or eight week group class noticed something very interesting: their dogs obeyed marvelously in that class, but acted like complete idiot at home. Or, the dog somewhat listened at home, but was never able to pay attention around other dogs or people. That’s what $120 gets you these days.

Picture this. You have your dog’s graduation diploma hanging on the wall. You went out of your way to find this cute frame that has little bones and paws around the frame. And right next to it, your poor guest is getting humped by your dog and you can’t get him to stop for the life of you. That’s Rover for you. He aced the PetSmart class with flying colors. You got your diploma alright, yet you still can’t stop his jumping and humping on your kids and visitors for the life of you. How embarrassing!

The sad truth is, trainers who teach only group classes, no matter how brilliant they may be and no matter how hard they try to be helpful, cannot do much with different owners who all have their own separate agendas.

And if you really think about it, even teaching your dog the obedience factor such as Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, or Come to You When Called are best taught in your home or in private. This is because you are eliminating all minor and major distractions that may stall your training progress.

Sadly, the majority of dog owners will never get their hands on such information and most group class trainers will never admit to it. And why should they? Now, if you are smart or curious enough to figure this out on your own, great. If not, then they’ll ask you to drag your dog to their class for six or eight weeks in a row and tell you to keep walking in circles while you give your dog treats just for being alive.

Ask anybody who have tried these classes and the majority will admit that they are a very long, slow and nonproductive process. What's even worse is they rarely allow more than one family member to participate. Let's face it, most of you can't get everyone in your family to commit for eight weeks straight. So what you’ll end up with is a dog that somewhat listens to one person and ignores or even challenges everyone else in your household.

Poor owners have no choice but to multitask in these classes. They will desperately try NOT to take their eyes off the trainer while constantly jerking the leash and telling their dog to sit...sit...sit! All of this happening while other dogs are charging, barking, whining, growling or dying to play with one another.

Look, there is nothing wrong with enrolling your dog in a local obedience class. In fact, you’ll find it beneficial, but it is wise to wait until you have actually laid out a strong foundation from your home first.

As a matter of fact, all successful trainers follow four stages of training. They are: the learning stage, the correction stage, the distraction-proofing stage and finally, the maintenance stage. The “maintenance” aspect of the training is just as important as the first three.

Let me give you an example that most of us can relate to. We all know that losing a few pounds can be hard--but keeping them off is even more challenging. Staying consistent in the fourth stage of the training is like keeping those extra pounds off. The maintenance aspect is when many dog owners get lazy and fall off the wagon. It is unfortunate, since this is the stage that will give you the pleasure of having an obedient and balanced dog for years to come.

Now, if you decide to ignore the importance of these four elements and still enroll your dog in a group class, this is what I predict when I look at my crystal ball: You will be teaching your dog new commands, correcting him left and right for making mistakes, and you’ll get frustrated when he can’t fully ignore the new location, new dogs, new people, new smells, different noises or other unexpected distractions. Is this fair or productive to either of you?

As far as getting your dog socialized or getting him to respond around different dogs, this too needs to happen in front of one or two dogs before joining a group of unruly dogs and frustrated owners. I found that obedience classes are the best place for “polishing” up on your training. I’m sure you’ll agree that polishing and learning are two different things.

Myth #7:

It’s Best to Have Your Dog Look at You or
Your Cool Hand Signal Prior Giving a Command

FACT: Your dog is perfectly capable of responding to your voice without making eye contact or paying attention to your fancy hand signals.

Here’s a question for you: Would you rather have your dog “listen” to you or “look” at you? Then do yourself and your dog a favor and don’t drag your training routines by saying, watch me… watch me… watch me before each command. That’s just nagging and it stops working very fast! Watch what? When you really think about what you are trying to accomplish, you are not even asking the poor dog to look at you. It is all about the invisible treat that you are holding, so it actually only gives the "illusion" of your dog looking at you.

The majority of dog schools don't tell you this, but you only need your dog’s eyes glued to you if you want to prepare him for obedience trials. I know most of you only care for a well-mannered and obedient pet and not a super-trained dog that wins you a bunch of titles, ribbons and trophies.

Myth #8:

Don’t Ever Correct Your Dog By Saying "NO" to it.
Instead, Make Some Kind of Strange Noises

FACT: Your dog must stop dead in his tracks the second he hears the word, “NO!” It shouldn’t even matter whether it comes from you or someone else. NO means NO!

Maybe you have been a bit successful in getting your dog’s attention with strange terms such as: “Eh,” “Eh-eh,” or my favorite of all--“Baaaah,” (Doesn’t that one remind you of something you’d hear from a Klingon in some Star Trek movie?) Folks, your friends, relatives, kids and neighbors will laugh at you and have a hard time remembering those sounds. So stop the insanity!

Really think about this for a second. When you are out in public with your dog and you catch him misbehaving, can you honestly picture yourself yelling out, “Baaah, baaaah,” just because some trainer told you or you read it in some book? Even worse, in emergency situations you won’t even remember those funny noises. But saying or even yelling out "NO," comes naturally to all of us! Then let's not sugarcoat things. "NO" simply means – "NO" and your dog should stop whatever he's doing the second he hears it from anyone, any place and at any time.

Obviously Cesar Millan is able to control any dog with, “Shhht” and it works for him. But are you The Dog Whisperer? I didn’t think so! So leave that to Mr. Millan. He can pull it off and you can’t. Although I have a great respect for all Dog Whisperers out there, whispering is just not my thing. Hey, people don’t pay me to whisper my secrets to them. They want me to be loud and clear.

Myth #9:

All Dogs Can Be Trained with the Same Training Tool

FACT: There isn't that one “magic tool" that works on every dog, every-single-time. That’s the reality of it! Some dogs are just too smart, too strong, too big, too stubborn, too dominant, too sensitive, too fast or even too unpredictable for their poor owners.

So which training tools do top trainers swear by? The answer to this question may surprise some of you, but they too rely on whatever that works best for them and their dogs. So why should it be any different with you? Be smart about this. If the tool you are using on walks stops working around hard-to-ignore or hard-to-avoid distractions--try a different one. Your main objective should be getting results! Then why use something that doesn’t even seem to faze your dog when you REALLY need it to? That’s I've been preaching all along, my dog loving friend. Diversity!

Take a step back and carefully observe whether your “current” training tool is just as effective around dogs, your guests, your cat, the mailman or kids running around. If not, don't make a fool out of yourself by using it over and over again.

The majority of dog trainers are close-minded and won’t allow you to experiment with different training tools. This will frustrate you since you’ll know and see for a fact what works on one dog or your previous dogs, doesn't necessarily mean it will get you the same results with your “current” dog. This again proves that all dogs are different.

Bottom line, use what works and most importantly, use that tool correctly and humanely. And trust me, people will judge you and all you can do is, smile and tell them, "I appreciate your concern. But you just don't know much about my dog, lady. When he is distracted or focused on someone or something, this is the only tool that seems to get his attention. Plain and simple!" Be smart! Be Diverse!

Myth #10:

Don't Bother Sending Your Dog Away to Be Trained, it Will Only Result in Your Dog Obeying the "Trainer" and NOT You

FACT: All the best-trained dogs in the world have been trained by an expert first. If you doubt this, just think of the dogs for the blind, dogs for the handicapped, drug sniffing dogs, hunting, and even attack trained dogs.

Doggie Boot Camp can be a wise choice especially when you travel out of town, have a busy schedule, are a mother-to-be, or might be in the process of moving or remodeling your home. Perhaps you fall under one of those owners who prefer the actual “expert” do the hardest part for you, so all you do is the maintenance aspect of the training. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that
.
It’s no secret that “you” need to be involved in your dog’s training regardless. It's just that some people prefer to come in the picture from the beginning to the end and some prefer AFTER the dog is completely trained. I personally have found the second option to be a much smoother and less stressful process. This is because your dog goes to rehab and gets trained or even re-trained. Then comes the harder part--training YOU!

Now, for those trainers who are against Send Away Dog Training or believe it is not as effective, I can almost guarantee you that none of them have ever tried to train someone’s dog without the owner’s day-to-day involvement. In fact, if you ask any of these skeptical trainers if they ever owned a kennel, worked with someone who operates a kennel or a doggie daycare, their response would very likely be, "NO. I have not and don’t need to.”

Frustrated owners who try our drop off training can’t deny the huge improvement they’ll notice upon picking up their dogs. You'll see the eyebrow-raising difference right before your eyes! What's best about it is half of the battle and frustration is out of the way. And unlike the dogs, I've never had to ask any of the owners to spend two weeks with me so I can train them. At least not yet.

As for the trainers who insist boarding and training a dog is NOT going to work. As I mentioned earlier, is obviously due to the fact that none of them ever gave this approach an honest chance. Think of sushi. If you notice, the ones who hate sushi, are usually those who've never tried it and probably never will. I've tried Sushi and loved it. I also have trained many dogs in my boot camp without the owners’ initial involvement.

And I must admit, I too in my earlier years didn’t believe in send away dog training. But guess what? I had to try it and the level of success I achieved just blew me away. Folks, it’s just common sense. You train or rehabilitate the dog first and then the owner can’t deny that the dog was hopeless or un-trainable. Teaching and educating the owner on how to get the SAME level of response from their dog is the next step. After all, it is NOT my dog and that was the main reason they that hired me in the first place--so their dog listen to THEM and not just respond marvelously to me.

Unlike a typical dog school who insist that you try their group classes or private lessons, with us, you have all options on the table for you. And frankly, the board and train program also depends on your dog, your schedule, your travel plans, your circumstances, your expectations and, let’s not leave out--your budget.

NOTE: These ten dog training myths have been presented to you in the most condensed way possible. As you read the rest of the book, you'll notice how I confirm what I’m trying to convey with even more compelling facts. But don’t take my word for it. I encourage you to research and study all ten of these myths and mistakes for yourself. Observe some dog training classes, visit different dog parks, talk to lots of dog owners who have actually tried different methods and different programs.

I’m confident the results you’ll get by following the “Diverse Method” will be so convincing, that you’ll agree other philosophies hardly measure up to it. After all, by being diverse, you arm yourself with the best of ALL methods. And this versatility is what will make you flawless.

Written by International Trainer and Dog Psychologist, Kevin "The Dog Prodigy"

Taken from Kevin's Book, "Hidden Secrets Behind Dog Training"

The Best & The Worst Trainers Under the Microscope
Dream Trainer or Your Worst Nightmare?

Discover the Strengths & Weaknesses of ANY Trainer in a Heart Beat!

From the Book "Hidden Secrets Behind Dog Training."

There are thousands of dog trainers out there with “average knowledge,” who charge you an “average price,” and definitely fall under the “average trainer” category. Most of you don’t know any better or don’t really care about these facts. And sadly, will settle for an average trainer and of course, end up with “average results” or even worse—NO RESULTS!

So who emerges from the pack? There is an amazing energy and spirit about these individuals which are hard to ignore. It isn’t all about the dogs for them. In fact, they know their secret to ultimate success goes far beyond that.

This chapter opens your eyes to the traits and qualities of the smartest and the most successful experts in the industry. Folks, I am not talking about any trainer here. I am referring to "dream trainers." Because of their knowledge, skill and persona, they are not only making it--but making it big with style and integrity. Again, I’m referring to the best and brightest.

Now, I don’t want you to blame their high level of success for being at the right place at the right time or happened to meet the “right person.” And to some degree, they probably were in the right place, but before you know it, they took over and kept on paddling on their own.

Don't let this discourage you, these trainers only make up the top one percent of the dog experts in the business.

In my years of rubbing elbows with so many experts, 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, in some cases, were actually struggling. I've met those who settled for just being a part-timer and trained dogs for fun. And I’ve also met trainers who were very successful, but weren’t 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 these trainers bombard the search engines with numerous websites. As if they want to eat the whole pizza on their own. Everybody knows that eating an entire 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 individuals 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 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.

Bottom line, their mission is important to them! I guess what I'm trying to say is that dog experts aren't any different from the rest of us. You decide under which category I fall.

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I learned a long time ago that the best way to get better at anything is to put your ego aside and learn from someone who has true superior skills and an impressive record to back it up.
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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? By analyzing their mistakes and failures, I learn what NOT to do!

After years of studying those who are considered to be the "real deal," I've noticed that these individuals are all operating in a totally different class and mentality. No wonder their success rate was so hard to ignore. When put to the test, most of them possess these ten qualities about them:

1. They care about you, your dog and their reputation.
2. Their training method is backed by logic and common sense.
3. They have an uncanny ability to pay attention to details.
4. They'll make sure you don't end up with a "half-trained" dog.
5. They know how to get your dog completely off-leash trained.
6. Your dog being too young or too old doesn't matter to them.
7. They gladly accept even hard-to-train and bully breeds.
8. Their method might be firm but it is also kind.
9. They let you experiment with different training tools.
10. They never ever give up and follow the "Diverse Method".

1.  They Care about You, Your Dog and Their Reputation

You see, 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 and happier lives, are surrounded by positive people, attract more business and, in my opinion, rarely are sued OR killed.

Some of them also have a great sense of humor. Sorry, only some. I believe that people look much better when they’re smiling, which is why I don’t always let small things get to me. I am known to make you if not laugh, at least smile here and there. Why many dog trainers are so rude, mean, disrespectful and act like Mr/Mrs know-it-all is beyond me.

We can tell a lot about someone the minute we talk to them. That is, if you are even able to able to reach any trainer on the phone or in person. Which brings up the question of caring, once again.

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Those who care, not only get back to you, but often try to reach you immediately.
They know that you may need help with your dog right away!
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Pick up your phone book or e-mail some trainers from their web sites. You'll soon be dissapointed that most will leave you hanging and make you grow gray waiting for a response. Once you are finally able to get a live person on the phone, see if you get a good vibe from them. If not, why even bother?

You see, no matter how good they 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 the trainer makes you 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.

Whether on the phone or in person, great trainers usually answer your tough questions with patience and respect. They don't mind or feel offended when you challenge their knowledge or expertise.

These folks don't just deliver, they outdo all the others by caring about their image and their reputation. All this automatically makes them stand out from their competitors. 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 ANYONE." In a nutshell, you just don't see that "wow factor" or that "pizzazz" in their work. Noooooooo, I didn't say pizza. So don’t reach for that Parmesan cheese or crushed peppers now.

Nine out of ten of my clients have already tried PetSmart, Petco, local training class or worked with a private trainer and failed miserably. In almost every case, the trainer was another amateur who trained on the side. Now, for some who did hire a professional, they just weren’t professional. Let me explain: They were definitely a "pro," but more of a pro at doing a lousy job or a pro at ripping them 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. Why do you think the rate of heart attacks are 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 soon. 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.

I don't think you are a psychic to know why nobody got back to you. Was it because their class was full or because they don't train that 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. Hey, I'm sure you'd agree that the polite and professional thing to do is to mention this on their voicemail. 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.

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Once you actually talk to a topnotch expert, you can't help
but notice how honest, caring, genuine and
professional they come across.
..................................................

Whether it is in person, on the phone, or by e-mail, the ones who truly stand out never sound pushy or desperate. I always say, "Not everyone recognizes, appreciates, or even deserves the very best."

What I found fascinating about the successful ones was not only that they were incredible trainers, but also great counselors. Yes, you read it correctly. Counselors!

Don’t get offended when I say this, but the majority of dog owners get nervous, tense and sometimes even too harsh with their dogs. Some can’t or won’t follow our directions. Some are too loud or get abusive with the poor dog. And some plain refuse to get firm, especially when their dog happens to challenges your authority. Now, that is when people skills come in handy. Trust me, being able to handle and deal with people is where the real challenge lies.

If you have worked with a few trainers in the past, I’m betting that most never even bothered to point out your GOOD qualities. Let's face it, it's not that difficult to jump on someone's flaws! This naturally makes you feel tense, less motivated, and in some cases, even a bit shy around the trainer. 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.

Unfortunately, the majority of dog trainers lack people skills and are famous for treating the "owners" like dogs. I had to learn this the hard way.

The ones who make a positive impact among pet owners are the ones 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 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 dog's 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.


2.  Their Training Method Is Backed by Common Sense

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 sound a bit foolish, how do you suppose your poor dog is going to make any sense out of it? Some trainers come up with absurd and irrational ways and try to brainwash you as if they were logical.

Let me give you a few examples: Many cookie trainers tell you to never say your dog’s name when you catch him misbehaving or making a mistake. Is that logical? Hmm... so let's assume you have two dogs and one of them starts humping little Johnny. You are supposed to yell out NO HUMPING. Don’t you think that would make both of your dogs jump? Wouldn’t that confuse the one that wasn't even misbehaving? Then please stop the nonsense.

You'd be far more effective to mention the name of the dog which was making the mistake, either before or after you reprimand it. Hey, totally leaving your dog’s name out would work fine if it was just the two of you. But if you have more than one dog, I’m sure you’ll agree that it doesn’t make much sense to completely LEAVE OUT the dog’s name and hope he'll catch on. In fact, when you do this, you won't seem as bright to your dogs.

Here's a different scenario: Say you catch one of your dogs chewing on your favorite shoes while the other one is dead asleep. 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. You'll notice that many clicker trainers preach that dogs don’t understand English. That’s why you should click away like an idiot until your poor dog catches on that you are up to something. Hey, even if you slap a bunch of bologna up against the wall, I promise you that some of it will stick. But we know that they won't stay up there for long. Back to dogs not understanding English. Then what language are you speaking when you say tell your dog, Good Sit, Down, Heel, Come, Stay, Good boy, Good girl, Fetch, It’s Okay, Off or NO bite? That’s not Swahili, is it?

A client of mine had a dog that was severely aggressive toward other dogs and kids. Prior to hiring me, she went to two different behaviorists and they both told her that she needed to redirect the dog’s attention to her with treats.

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. The idea was that the treats would distract the dog, or make the dog think hey, I should forget about killing dogs or killing kids.... Whoa! Is that beef jerky?

Well, that was La La land or wishful thinking folks. Here's what really happened:

Her dog would totally ignore the treats and poor Mommy's commands and STILL kept on lunging at every dog or kid they encountered. Actually, if the kids weren’t that close, the dog would take the treats and behave, but as soon as she saw them getting a bit closer, she’d go for the kill. I guess she saw them as dessert after all that smoked beef jerky. These behaviorists each held a Ph.D. and meant well, but their advice didn't have any Ph.D in it and seemed like a waste of time.

You see, it is extremely rare for a method to work without you being able to pinpoint the logic behind why and how it works. Normally your “common sense” will tell you if the method or advice is the real deal or not.

........................................................................
When in doubt, always ask yourself:
Does this seem rational? Am I getting anywhere with this? Are people going to laugh at me when they catch me trying this method with my dog?
...........................................................................................

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 try something, then you can be certain whether it did or did not work. Otherwise, you are just relying on assumptions instead of facts. The same rule applies if a trainer instructs you. If you saw it on television, heard it from your trainer, or it came from someone with a Ph.D., you need to stop and ask yourself: Does what they're telling me seem logical or practical?

Hey, haven't you heard the saying, "Only a dead fish goes with a flow?" Then be smart about it and don't let others brainwash you. Effective trainers don't mind asking you, "Does this make sense to you?" , "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.

SMART DOGS - DUMB TRAINERS!!!   

I don't understand trainers who recommend that you should bark, growl, yelp like a puppy, or even worse, completely ignore your dog's bad habits and wait until your dog does something good for you to praise it. Then what is the point of hiring these bozos? You could have done that on your own. Even doing it wrong is better than NOT doing anything. Wouldn't you agree? So ignoring is the same thing as not doing jack.

Wouldn't be nice if dogs did what we expected from them on their own. Hey, kids and even most adults don't do that. So how can you expect that 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 obviousely have an amazing dog that is even more trained than ME.

Here's something for you to think about: Do your good habits come to you naturally or the bad ones? Think of eating healthy, exercising, saving, driving carefully, watching less TV, reading quality books, and spending more time with your loves ones. Do any of these great habits come to you naturally? No they don't. In fact, you always have to keep on pushing and reminding yourself 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 teaching was: “Stop and think.” It wasn't “Go for it, Chopper! Then think of the consequences later." (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, doesn't it?)

Ignoring your dog's bad habits is not natural or ratinal. If you don't believe me, then keep on ignoring your dog jumping up on you, on your guests, on counters, and on poor kids. Prove it to me that will work. Hey, don't prove it to me, I always say, prove it to yourself.

3.  They Have an Uncanny Ability to Pay Attention to Details

Yes, details, my dog-loving friend. Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference, and this rule also applies when you are dealing with dogs and their owners. These experts are like a sponge and hardly miss anything--which is another reason why they are so good at what they do.

Whether I fly to my clients, or they send their dogs to me, I ask many questions and like a crime scene investigator, I observe everything and I do mean EVERYTHING.
It's very similar to studying your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. I observe your training technique, the dog’s history and your overall perception of your dog. Are you firm, easy-going, loud, harsh, or persistent? Do you get nervous or afraid while handling your dog?

Perhaps you are the type of owner who thinks that saying "NO" to him might hurt his feelings and that his tail will never wag again!

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of such details and how crucial it is to work with an expert in "private." By paying attention to details, I can accomplish much more even if I train your dog in my boot camp and without your involvement.

............................................................................................
Every topnotch trainer that I have studied, has trained his or her
dog without any distractions first. Learn from the best and make it your own.
...............................................................

World-class trainers always introduce distractions to their clients’ dogs gradually and systematically. That is how they are able to deliver 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 you and your needs. Top trainers know that the one-on-one approach is THE BEST and quickest way to get maximum results.
Bottom line, by working in private, a trainer will get to see things from both the owner's and the dog's perspective.


4.  They'll Make Sure You Don't End Up With Only a "Half-Trained" Dog

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 the "real deal," 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:

* Pays attention somewhat in class, but not otherwise
* Sort of listens when there are minor or no distractions
* Obeys the trainer but NOT you or anyone else in your family
* Responds only when it knows for sure that he is going to get a treat

In other words, as soon as your dog sees another dog, a cat, the mailman, a visitor drops 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 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 or feels threatened by, like a typical visitor or a complete stranger, 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. And of course, make sure that you don’t forget “yourself.” You, as the owner of your dog, need to make sure that you are not the half-trained member of the pack. Hey, it happens.

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If a method is truly effective, you'll see it working immediately. And if someone's just feeding you a bunch of bologna, you'll see that too. Topnotch trainers often deliver jaw-dropping results within minutes and sometimes even seconds.
......................................................................

Rookies always tell you that it takes time or it can't be done or whatever. I always tell my clients: "By the second lesson, we will 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 have trained most of those dogs in a matter of minutes. Pay close attention to the shadows on the ground, and you'll see that little time has passed. I get the dog under control immediately and they respond to me on the spot. The rest is just polishing up and making sure the dog obeys the owner. After all, it is NOT my dog, and your dog should respond to you and respect your authority.

5. They Know How to Get Your Dog Completely Off-leash Trained

Only a few owners and trainers get to this level. Your goal should be to eventually have COMPLETE CONTROL of your dog without having him leashed. That’s right, a dog that obeys you from across the room, across the street, in the yard and even from a distance, using your normal tone of voice. Again, I said your normal VOICE, not screams from the top of your lungs.

Only true professionals can deliver such results. These top trainers proudly advertise this specialty. Since the majority of trainers work with dogs for fun--they aren’t able to successfully get their own dogs off-leash trained--let alone help you achieve this task with your untrained pooch. Bottom line, amateurs are rarely able to master the art to off-leash control.

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Just about anywhere you go, you will be forced to abide the leash law.
Which is why having your dog completely "off-leash trained"
isn't just cool, but NECESSARY!
..............................................................

I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating: 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 a dog or cat? 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 one.

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 off-leash 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. Even on graduation day, the trainer's dog was still the only dog that was off-leash trained. This clearly indicates that the trainer was able to get his or her own dog to that level of training, but failed to do so with the poor owners’ dogs. A case of “great trainer, but a poor instructor,” fits this example like OJ's glove!

6.  Your Dog Being too Young or Too Old NEVER Matters to Them

Whether it is a ten-week-old pup or a ten-year-old adult dog, they all can learn the difference between right and wrong and what is acceptable in your house and what isn't. A real expert can help teach your dog to respond to your daily commands and also tackle his most annoying bad habits, such as barking, jumping, growling, snapping or bolting out. These trainers are well-educated and experienced in solving not only your dog's day-to-day problems, but even the most difficult cases. 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 wishes and respect the rules of your house. Is that too much to ask?


7. They Gladly Accept Even Hard-to-Train and Bully Breeds

Elite experts are skilled, versatile and willing to face the challenge of working with ANY dog. Stubborn or dominant dogs are no different. It doesn't really matter to them if your dog is labeled as aggressive, un-trainable, red zone, or even hopeless. They are willing to take on the challenge and have the expertise to back it up. The majority of trainers flat out refuse to work with difficult, big and dominant breeds. As soon as you mention that you have a Rottweiler, and before you get the chance to say that it is just a “puppy,” most will cut you off. “I’m sorry, but we don’t accept that breed.”

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 am 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 chocolate labrador retriever can be challenging 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 any 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 simply another dog to them.

8.  Their Method Might Be Firm But is Also Kind

Let's face it, no parent can ever raise a child effectively without being firm and kind. Firm alone may get you some results, but adding "kind" is what makes the relationship loving and healthy.

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, waiting for another command. You guessed it. The dog acted like a soldier or a robot instead of a happy dog, a classic case of "over-training" a dog. The poor thing just couldn't have any 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, why don't you be his best friend? I don't really care about stuff like that.”

Nobody has the right to blame you for being your dog's "buddy." But even as your dog's friend, you should still teach your dog to follow your rules and to meet your expectations. The idea is to praise when your dog responds to you and be corrected for bad behavior, on the spot. As long as you don't confuse firm with harsh or abusive, your dog will turn out to be 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. Dog trainers execute leash correction to stop a dog from lunging, jumping, barking excessively, snapping or even crotch/butt sniffing.

Holding tightly onto your dog's leash isn't training. That's just restraining and any moron can do that. Do you want to train your dog or restrain it? That's what I thought. You'll always know when you see a true pro. They make working with dogs seem so easy and effortless, that you’d swear they can even do it blindfolded. You’ll see your dog respond to them right before your eyes. And best of all, they will make sure that you are able to get the same level of response from your dog.

.....................................................................................................
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. Reading a bunch of dog books or training a few of your friends' and neighbors' dogs on weekend won’t even scratch the surface. These folks have trained if not thousands, at least hundreds of dogs which is why they have the confidence AND the skill to back it up. Why do you think they are able to accurately read your dog's temperament and body language at the drop of a hat. Their uncanny ability goes beyond skill and knowledge, and sometimes even reaches an instinctual level. And there is something funny about instinct, like class, you either have it or you don’t.


9. They Let You Experiment with Different Training Tools

Here's an interesting experiment: Gather the best-of-the-best experts in the world, but take away all tools of their choice. That's right, don't let them use any collars, leashes, treats, tennis balls or any other toys. They might as well be totally naked. Then throw in some unruly dogs with them. You’ll see that there wouldn’t be much even these topnotch trainers 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 job without your pen, paper, phone, vehicle, computer or certain tools and equipment? Some of you probably could, but you have to agree proper tools make our jobs much easier. In fact, it would be like jumping into a time machine and traveling hundreds of years back without them. So the use of proper tools and technology always improve the speed and quality of our work. Some even cut down on the cost and manpower. It is no different when it comes to "dog training" tools.

These trainers will let you try different collars so you find out for yourself which gets your dog’s attention and which do not. They use every “weapon” they can get their hands on to make sure you are able to control your dog in ANY situation. Getting you real and long-term results is their main objective! They always think outside the box and adapt to meet your goals and expectation.

.........................................................................
Diverse Trainers know from experience that there is no “magic tool”
that works on every dog, every time. Through trial and error they make sure
what works in your home, also will around people and dogs!
.........................................................................................................................

After all, why would you use a tool that has stopped working or was never effective in the first place? If one 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, but you do it anyway to fool the cops.

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 limit you to only one particular tool. This tool might work on a small dog that isn’t too dominant or too aggressive. But hoping or assuming that the same tool would get you the same results with a much larger, stronger or far more aggressive 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 it blindfolded.

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.

Regardless of what the trainers belief, I think that the owners should have the right to make a decision for their own dog. The fair thing to do for me is to leave all options on the table and let the owner choose. Unfortunately, many trainers are familiar with other dog training tools on the market, but they keep the poor owners in the dark.

That's what it takes to be diverse, my dear frustrated dog lover. You must find what works best for you and “this dog.” Not what worked on your previous dog, your neighbors' dogs, your friends' dogs or the other dogs in the class. We are all different and so are our canine friends.

A diverse expert will gladly help you find the one that matches your strength, mobility, limitation and, let’s not forget-- expectations. They also will consider your dog's size, speed, breed and prey drive. Their whole focus is to help you select the right tool that works great for you AND your dog. And that tool better work around hard-to-ignore distractions, or else try something else. I’m a strong believer in having a strong technique and a positive attitude, but having a useful tool also takes you one step further and might be the key factor to your success.

10. They Never Ever Give Up and Follow the "Diverse Method"

The best and the brightest never believe that your dog cannot be trained. Their mindset is completely different from those average trainers. They focus more on HOW they can help you. This means they are always willing to explore different methods if and when necessary. To adapt, improvise, think outside the box and push the envelope, is what they are famous for. 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 goal is to custom fit an approach that works best for you and your pooch.

I’ve read many books on dog training, dog behavior and dog psychology. Learning from books is great, but I believe that “if you do EVERYTHING from a book, then it means you can’t do much outside the book.” After all, that’s how we grow and become creative, isn't it?

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 field. Such greatness is extremely hard to come by. As I mentioned earlier, I believe that they make up less than one percent of the canine professionals in the business. And yes, the best always has a price tag. I have met and worked with many of them in person and found them to be amazing. They were excellent trainers AND amazing instructors. They were extremely confident and sometimes even a bit cocky—but they always backed it up with their skill and knowledge. This reminds me of another thing I always say..

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"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." (That last one isn't mine. I borrowed it
from the boxing movie, Gladiator.)
............................................................................

Most of these experts have dedicated years of their lives making a difference by helping pet owners and other 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! This 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 factors. Don't settle for “good,” “better,” or even “excellent,” but aim to be among the greatest icons, dog phenomena, and the true legends by excelling in every single one of these traits. That's what it takes to become one of the best and brightest.

Is there a legend in your town? Maybe, maybe not. Most of my clients travel for hours to work with me. Some even fly me to their city or country because they aren't impressed by any of their local “trainers.” Or the expert told them that their dog was hopeless.

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

1. Yourself - Your thoughts, beliefs and perception of your current and previous dogs.
2. Your Dog - Why and how your dog thinks and responds in different scenarios.
3. Your Method – Unravel the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques.
4. Your Tools – Which training tools work and which eventually stop working.
5. Your Trainer - Their philosophy, expertise, expectations and limitations.
6. The Dog Training Industry – How to use the system to your advantage.
It took ten years of hard work, intense research, and studying thousands of cases
to write this book.

My Mission: To Find All the Reasons Why Dogs Didn't Thrive to Their Fullest Potential.

I was shocked to find that the "real cause" had very little to do with the dogs' age, breed,
size, intelligence, history, or even personality, but had everything to do with the
“human element.”

Dog owners and even dog trainers from all around the globe were skillfully misled, influenced and even brainwashed. Sadly, all this had a tremendous affect on their beliefs, attitude, technique, drive, sense of hope, creativity, and of course--their level of success.

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"
Master Dog Trainer / Author

About the Author:

Kevin Salem is considered to be a prominent philosopher and one of the brightest minds in the world of dog training. It’s hard to paint Kevin’s image with the same brush as others, as his unique way of "Diverse Method" and philosophy, makes him very distinct.

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!

What Grade Would Your Dog Give YOU? (Funny and Eye-Opening)
Don't just prove it to us, prove it to yourself that your dog sees YOU as the boss.

Why Can't You Get Your Dog to Respond Around "Other" Dogs?
As soon as your dog spots another dog, he barks, lunges, growls or... learn why!

Using Treats? Are You Really Being Rational, Practical and Natural?
Do your yummy treats really stand a chance around dogs, cats and your visitors!

99% Sweet - 1% Cujo!!! When Nice, Smart Dogs Get Down Vicious!
Face it, it's scary to have that doubt or fear of your dog one day really causing...

20 Reasons Why Your Doesn't Listen When it Matters the MOST!
Easy-to-miss causes of why your dog flat out ignores you around distractions.

When and Why You Should Doubt Your Technique or Your Trainer!
Seven signs to look for in identifying the strengths & weaknesses of your method!

Inside the Mind of Veterinarians and Their Staff (Dog Etiquettes!)
All vets and vet techs are dying for you to master these proven tips. Learn how.

Turning a Childhood Tragedy into Triumph! - Kevin's Sad Story!!
Everybody has a story, a cause, or a reason of why they do what they.
Read Kevin's touching and remarkable 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"

!!! Dog Secrets .com !!!
Where You See the Difference Between"Average" and "WOW"!!!

* Jaw-Dropping Video Clips * Testimonials *

* Boot Camp - Train My Dog For Me! *

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