!!!Warning
Signs About Dog Trainers You Never Knew
!!!
From the Most Controversial Dog Psychology
Book Ever!
"Hidden Secrets Behind Dog Training"
WARNING SIGN #1:
They Are Rude, Pushy, Condescending on the Phone AND in Person
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 or 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. By the same token, I've met many wonderful individuals
who were absolutely clueless in delivering real results.
WARNING SIGN #2:
They Rely Heavily on the Use
of Treats for Everything
Don’t be one of those owners who 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 to giving a
command, sorry, your dog is actually listening because of
THAT treat. What else would you call it? (Your dog should listen
to you because you said so and because you are his provider!)
WARNING SIGN #3:
They Only Know or Focus the Most
on Teaching "Obedience"
This is where the trainers are great at teaching your dog how
to walk on a loose leash, stay for a few seconds or lie down,
but they don’t specialize in solving behavioral issues.
I'm talking about being able to solve your dog's over-protectiveness
towards other dogs, towards people, anxiety, get it completely
housetrained, stop it from jumping up, to barking, fighting, nipping,
biting and to manage his fearfulness.
WARNING SIGN #4:
They Push For Group Classes and
Hate Doing Private Lessons
Even the most skilled and experienced trainers can’t do
much in a group setting. This is just a fact. Every dog owner
comes with their own separate set of problems. In these classes
is where dogs lunge at each other, bark, growl, whimper, pull
on the leash, or even try to attack one another constantly. How
is this productive? All you’ll end up with is a dog that
might listen 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. (All Petsmart, Petco and 8 Week Park Group
Classes Fall into This Category.)
WARNING SIGN #5:
They Won’t Give You References or Let You Observe a Class
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 is offended or gets mad at you when you ask for
a reference—definitely count that as another red flag and
take your business somewhere else!
WARNING SIGN #6:
They Refuse to Get Everyone Involved
with the Training
If the trainer becomes annoyed or upset when others in your family
want to be involved in training, this indicates they want all
the pressure on you. Think about it, don’t you
want your dog to obey EVERYONE in your household? So what will
end up happening is a dog that may listen only to one family member
and become a pain in the behind for everyone else. I am willing
to bet money that you'll notice this once that person who was
involved all along isn’t nearby, 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 every bad behavior? 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.
Every dog is different. However, those that need a firmer approach,
don’t 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 from being viciously mauled.
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 our class, we only use shock
collars (oh, sorry, e-collar, or remote training collar, is their
lingo) and yada yada. 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 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.)
WARNING SIGN #10:
They Rarely Return Your Calls
or Check on Your Progress.
(Especially Once They Already CASHED Your Check!)
This is where you find out about someone’s morals and ethics.
How responsive are they AFTER you already paid them or after that
credit card transaction goes through? For example, there are many
trainers who cheat you out of your money with fake lifetime follow-ups.
When you 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".
The Best & The Worst
Dog Trainers Under Microscope!
Things You Never
Knew About ALL Dog Trainers
From the Book, Hidden Secrets Behind Dog Training
(A Game-Changer in Dog Psychology!)
There are thousands of average trainers with average
knowledge, who charge you an average price, and deliver...well;
that—“average results”! Just by not knowing
or ignoring this simple fact, most of you will end up with poor
or NO RESULTS.
So who emerges from the pack? This chapter opens your eyes to
all the traits and qualities of the smartest and most accomplished
dog experts in the business. I am referring to dream trainers!
These individuals know that there is so much more to it than
just being the best. And like most success stories, knowledge,
passion, smarts, and raw determination are all the reasons
for their eyebrow-raising success.
Some of you may believe that they were just lucky. Sorry, you
can’t always be at the right place, at the right time, or
by having that right connection. One of my favorite Roman philosophers,
Lucius Seneca said it best: "Luck
is what happens when preparation meets opportunity!"
Eventually, you must prove to others and yourself
that you really are the real deal and truly got what it takes.
In my years of rubbing elbows with hundreds of trainers, I’ve
met those who enjoy fine wine and caviar with the rich and famous.
I’ve known those who only settled for teaching group classes.
I’ve seen a fair share of the ones who loved doing house
calls, yet struggled to make ends meet. And of course, I’ve
run into plenty of hobbyists who threw training sessions in local
parks and trained people's dogs for fun.(Hey, I also do some Karate and bang on drums for fun.
Would you hire me?)
The very best usually are in love with their line of work and
it truly shows. This explains why these folks aren't
easy to get hold of. Simply put, they don't have a free hand to
throw a rock. Don't be surprised if you find them overbooked with
a long waiting list. Their hectic schedule usually consists of
teaching, training, conducting seminars, and traveling to promote
their cause. And of course, they are also preparing others
to follow their passion and to make a difference.
What I'm trying to say is that canine professionals aren't any
different from the rest of us. You decide which category I belong
to.
..................................................................
I learned a long time ago that the best way to get better at anything
is to put your ego aside, and learn from those who far more
superior with an impressive record. ..........................................
I also learned a lot from the worst-of-the-worst. How, you ask?
Just do the complete opposite of what those morons do
and I promise that you’ll make it big.
After many years of observing the masters, I've noticed
that these individuals operate in a totally different class and
mentality. I admit. It was impossible to simply ignore their high
level of achievement. Although each had their own story, you just
couldn't resist seeing a pattern behind their success. What I
found was, most, if not all—
Possessed These Ten Qualities About Them:
1. They geniunely care about your dog and your
success.
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 training method is firm, but fair.
9. They let you experiment with different training tools.
10. They follow the "Diverse Method" and rarely give
up.
1. They Geniunely Care about Your Dog and Your Success
One of the things we always remember about someone is their
character. Sadly, morals and ethics aren't that easy to come by.
You see, in my opinion, it’s not always about how much you
know or even how great you are, but it is also about
how much you care. This means these trainers are truly
good people. The old saying, "Nice guys finish last,"
isn't their motto.
Studies have shown that if you are nicer, you'll live longer,
will be happier, gain more business, attract more positive in
your life, and are rarely hated, sued, or killed.
Hey, some of these folks may even come with a great sense of
humor. Sorry, only some. I found that people listen and look much
better when they’re smiling. Well, most of them.
Why we have so many dog trainers that
are rude, mean, and offensive is beyond me.
You can tell a lot about someone the moment you talk to them.
That is, if you are even able to reach a 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 do their
best to return your call right away.
Here's an experiment: Grab the phone book, e-mail a few dog schools
from a trainer directory, or even better, from their websites.
You'll soon be disappointed to find that most will leave you hanging
as you grow gray waiting for a response. (How do you think I got
to be this gray?)
It’s About Having a “Moral
Compass!”
And I'm Not Just Referring to
Dog Training.
If a trainer never returns any of your calls or isn’t interested
in your progress—especially when you’ve already handed
over your check—what does that say about their character
and morals? You guessed it. It was all about your money!
Those who go from average to brilliant know that some things
in life go far beyond one’s knowledge or skills, and it
is also about treating people ethically.
As soon as you get an actual person on the phone, see if you get
a good vibe. If not, don't even bother signing up with them. Think
about it; no matter how good an expert may be, you don’t
want to be stuck with a jerk, weirdo, psycho, or a nut job!
When it comes to intuition, women are much better
at it than men. They often say, "It has to feel right,"
or "I didn't get a good vibe from him/her." Now, if
a trainer makes you feel uncomfortable by being too pushy, rude
or condescending, remember, you could be stuck with this person
in your home, in private, or in some group class for eight weeks
or longer.
True professionals always answer your toughest questions with
patience and respect. They rarely get offended
when you challenge their knowledge or expertise. This is why these
individuals don't just deliver; but out-perform their competition.
They know that going the extra mile WILL get them that
extra result.
How many times have you hired a painter, a contractor, an attorney,
or even a babysitter who disappointed you with their poor work
ethics? They did a lousy job and didn't even care much. These
are the folks that just go with the flow and don't 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. (After all, how do you think we got to become
the land of the free and the home of the chubby?)
Eight out of ten of my clients have already
tried PetSmart, Petco or some sort of park group class. Some even
tried a private trainer, yet still weren't that impressed with
the outcome. In almost every case, the instructor was an amateur
who trained dogs on the side.
Now, for those of you who hired a professional, you probably
found out the hard way that they weren’t as professional
as you’d hoped after all. Let me explain: They were definitely
a pro, but a pro at doing a sloppy job or a pro at ripping
you off!
There are millions of people out there who do something for a
living but don't really have their heart and soul in it. These
folks can't wait until they can get away from their workplace.
(That explains why the rate of heart attacks is at its highest
on Mondays. They hate that job or boss so bad that it's literally
killing them.)
How fast someone gets back to you, or IF they even bother to get
back to you, is just one of the signs to consider when looking
for a reputable dog school. Let me give you an example: A lot
of group class trainers won’t even bother to return your
call if they don't have a class starting. The same applies if
their training program happens to be full or they won’t
be holding any during the winter.
What's worse is they rarely mention this on their voicemail. It’s
fair to assume that you are not psychic and can’t possibly
know why nobody got back to you. Was it because their class was
full or because they don't accept your particular breed of dog?
Maybe it’s because the trainer is out of town, sick, wants
to take a break, or they are not accepting any more clients at
the moment.
I'm sure we all can 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 responsive, caring and professional.
Even better, they don't come across as pushy or desperate. Although
one of my sayings is, "Not everyone recognizes or appreciates
the very best in life." We all know that one of the important
things in life is character
and a respect for other people's needs.
What I also found fascinating about these experts was that not
only were they incredible trainers, but also great counselors.
I hope I don't offend some of my readers here, but the majority
of you get nervous, tense and sometimes are too harsh with your
dog. Some folks can’t or simply refuse to follow
instructions, and some are too loud or abusive with their dogs.
And of course, there always going to be a few who rather die than
to get firm with their pooch. And it is no surprise that their
dogs ignore or challenge them on just about everything.
Now, THAT is when people skills come in handy. The secret of great
trainers is that they make sure they don’t mistreat or disrespect
the other end of the leash.
You probably have already tried a few trainers by now. I’m
betting that most of them didn't bother to point out any of your
good qualities. Let's face it; it's not that difficult to jump
on someone's flaws and weaknesses! Now you know why so many owners
get tense, less motivated, and in some cases, even drop out of
these dog classes altogether.
It was obvious: All the the trainers did was nit-picking, correcting
and scolding the pet owners in front of their family or, even
worse, around complete strangers. How can this be fun or productive?
I always say, "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 with you have mastered the
difference between insulting someone and giving a critique. This
is why there are hundreds of decent trainers out there, but only
a few great "instructors"! As I mentioned earlier, the
challenge lies in teaching the owners—dogs are
fairly easy.
One of my trainers told a client that if he kept yanking his
dog's leash for no reason, she'd jerk HIS NECK to show him how
it felt. Now, she obviously cared enough about the dog, but cared
less about getting her point across without losing her cool, not
to mention 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.
2. Their Training Method Is Backed by Common Sense
As a writer I hate saying this, but please don't believe everything
you read, hear or see—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 dog is going
to make sense of it? There are many trainers who come up with
absurd and irrational ideas.
Let me give you a few examples: Some suggest that you should
never say your dog’s name when you catch him misbehaving
or making a mistake. Is that logical? Now, let's assume you have
two dogs and one starts humping little Johnny. You yell out NO—STOP
IT! Don’t you think that would startle both of
your dogs? In fact, wouldn’t that confuse the one that wasn't
even misbehaving? Then please stop the nonsense.
You'd be far more effective if you'd mention the name of the
dog that is misbehaving, either before or after reprimanding
him. Now, totally leaving your dog’s name out would certainly
make sense if it was just the two of you. But if you
have more than one dog, it will be very confusing to him to completely
leave out his name and hope that he'll somehow catch on.
Another example: Let's say you catch one of your dogs chewing
on your favorite shoes, and the other one is sound asleep snoring.
Are you supposed to just scream bloody murder—"LEAVE
IT"—and make both of them jump?
I've saved the best for last: Clicker trainers preach that dogs
don’t understand English. That’s why they prefer a
clicking sound instead of actual words to praise a dog.
Give me a break. Using a clicker isn’t any different than
snapping your fingers. And guess what? Million of dogs are still
trained marvelously with or without snapping your fingers
every day of the week. Call me old-fashioned, but I rather praise
my four-legged friend with kind words and physical praise instead
of some clicking device or snapping my fingers.
Back to dogs not understanding English. Then what language are
you speaking when you tell your dog to: Sit, Down, Heel, Come,
Stay, Good boy, Good girl, Fetch, It’s OK, Off or NO bite?
That’s not Swahili, is it?
One of my clients had a dog that showed aggression toward kids
and other dogs. 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 by using a wooden spoon
dipped in peanut butter. (I am not kidding. I know many of you
cookie trainers reading this section, are rubbing your chins and
loving this idea. And that's just sad and pathetic.)
Their rationale was based on: The minute my client's dog got near
other dogs and kids, she needed to have that spoon an inch away
from him so he keeps licking the peanut butter and hopefully
leave the dogs and kids alone. Again, the idea was to make the
dog think, "Here we go! I’ll kill these dogs...WHOA,
Dude! Is that peanut butter in that spoon???"
Well, That Was La La Land
or Wishful Thinking...
So Here’s What REALLY Happened:
Her dog would totally ignore the spoon, the peanut butter AND
Mommy's commands and still kept lunging at every dog
or kid that he encountered. Actually, if the kids weren’t
that close, the dog would lick the spoon and behave, but as soon
as the pooch saw them getting closer, he’d go for the kill.
(Thank God he didn't shake the spoon like a rag doll.)
These behaviorists all 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.
Bottom line, it is very rare for a method to work
without you being able to pinpoint the logic behind why and
how it works. Normally, your common sense should 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 nonsense with my dog?
The same rule applies even with what you read in this book or
on my website; observe it with an open mind and give it a try
first—then be the judge!
Folks, that's the beauty of being “Diverse.” Once
you try a variety of techniques, only then can you be certain
of what worked and what did not. Otherwise, you are just relying
on assumptions instead of facts.
Whether you've seen a method on television, heard it from your
trainer, or it came from someone with a Ph.D., stop and ask yourself:
Does what they're telling me seem logical or practical? And besides
getting rid of my dog, what other options are out there? Have
I truly exhausted every route and all experts of different
teaching philosophies?
You’ve probably heard the saying, "Only a dead fish
goes with the 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?" or "Do you see the
logic behind what we are trying to accomplish?" Again, if
it doesn't make sense, don't make a fool of yourself.
It gets worse. Some trainers tell you to ignore your
dog every time he misbehaves. Wait a minute! Even doing something
WRONG is better than doing nothing or ignoring all of
your dog's bad habits. Just imagine ignoring your dog’s
barking, jumping, nipping at your hands and feet, or not leaving
your guests alone! But isn’t ignoring the same as NOT doing
anything?
Wouldn't it be nice if dogs did what we expected from them on
their own? But the reality is even kids and some adults
won't do that. So how can we expect this from our dogs? If you
honestly hope that out of ten different actions your dog takes,
nine of them will make you proud, then you should stop reading.
You obviously have an amazing dog that is even better trained
than I am.
Look, we were taught to use common sense from an early age. In
case you forgot, the lesson was: “Stop and think.”
It wasn't, “Go for it Chopper! We can always worry about
the consequence later!" (Now for some of us, getting the
lesson afterward is far more effective. I guess as long
as we get it, that's all that really matters.)
Bottom line, ignoring your dog's bad habits is not rational
or effective. If you don't believe me, start ignoring all
of your dog's counter surfing, jumping up on you, jumping on your
guests, and ignore that embarrassing growling and lunging at everyone.
Prove me wrong that this strategy or wishful thinking is going
to eventually start working. Better yet, don't just prove it to
me—prove it to yourself!
3. They Have an Uncanny Ability to Pay Attention to Details
The very best, regardless of their profession, are like a sponge
and hardly miss anything. These individuals notice the smallest
things that make the biggest difference.
Whether my clients choose to fly me to them or prefer to send
their dogs to my camp, I ask many questions and, like an experienced
crime scene investigator, I examine everything and I do mean every-little-thing.
I observe your technique, your dog’s history, its temperament,
daily activities, and when or to whom in your household he responds.
Are you firm, easy-going, loud, harsh, or persistent? Do you have
a spoiled brat and are you 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 the smallest things, I accomplish so much
more even if I take your dog in my boot camp and without your
day-to-day involvement.
............................................................................................ What I found interesting was that all successful
trainers have taught their own dogs without any distractions first.
In fact, that is a mark of a true pro!
...............................................................
One of the best ways to achieve amazing results is by introducing
outside distractions gradually to your dog. This is why
hiring an expert who offers private lessons makes perfect sense.
You’ll get to ask questions that pertain specifically to
your needs while giving the expert a chance to evaluate everything
from you and your dog's perspective.
4. They'll Make Sure You Won't End Up with a "Half-Trained"
Dog
This means they aim for practicality and a real life
approach. Remember, your training technique has to work anywhere
and anytime or else you're wasting your time.
Ignore this simple fact and you'll end up with a dog that:
* Pays attention somewhat
in class, but nowhere else. * Listens real well if there are
few or no distractions present. * Obeys the trainer, but NOT you
or anyone else in your household. * Responds only when he knowsfor sure that he is going to get a yummy treat.
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 tricks can be fun and cute, but
then again, tricks are rarely practical.
Don't forget this simple fact: If your commands
are ignored around people that your dog loves or feels threatened
by, you can’t count it as real-life dog training.
.....................................................................................
Topnotch trainers 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 clips on my site, you may be surprised
to learn that I've trained most of those dogs in a matter of minutes.
(If you doubt me, pay close attention to my clothes or even better,
the shadows on the ground.) I get the dog(s) under control and
gain their trust on the spot. The rest is just polishing up and
making sure that they obey their owners. After all, it
is not my dog, and your dog should learn to respect and respond
to YOU.
5. They Will Get Your Dog Completely Off-leash Trained
Only a few owners and even trainers get to this level.
Your goal should be to eventually have complete control
of your dog without having him leashed or close to you. That’s
right; you want your dog to obey you from across the room, across
the street, in the yard and even from a distance, just with your
normal tone of voice. Again, I said normal—not
screaming at the top of your lungs.
True pros are the only ones who can deliver such results. They
boldly advertise this specialty. Now, the majority of dog trainers
are hobbyists, and even their own dogs don’t respond
much off-leash: How can you possibly expect them to have YOU reach
a different outcome? Bottom line, amateurs and part-timers
are always struggling when it comes to off-leash mastery.
................................................................................................................ Just about anywhere you go we are faced with the leash
law.
Which is why having your dog completely "off-leash trained"
isn't just cool these days, but NECESSARY!
..............................................................
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating: You
and your pooch need to be prepared for those "what if"
scenarios. To be exact, what if my dog bolts out the door, manages
to slip out of her collar, breaks the collar, attacks another
dog, or even a child?
Maybe your dog was running free, everything was fine and he
was just hanging out when all of a sudden ______________ (fill
in the blank).
Look, no matter how careful or responsible you may be, someday
your dog WILL get loose and will make a fool out of you. Again,
only a very small percentage of trainers have the expertise to
help you master total voice control over your dog. Make
sure you hire the right trainer.
If you are looking into group classes, ask to observe the graduation
day of their advanced class. This will give you an opportunity
to see for yourself whether the trainer's dog still the only off-leash
trained there. If so, this 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 poor instructor fits this one like OJ's glove!
6. Your Dog Being too Young/Old Does NOT Matter
to Them
Whether it is a ten-week-old pup or a ten-year-old dog, they
all can learn the difference between right and wrong and
what you’ll tolerate and what you will not. This is just
a fact!
Think of your dog’s: jumping up, play-biting, potty training,
over-protectiveness, separation anxiety, dominance, hyperactivity,
counter surfing, running off and misbehaving around your guests.
Why let an older dog or a young pup run your life, when you
are the one who is paying all the bills and providing everything
else for your dog? The least your pooch can do is obey your wishes
or at the very least, respect the rules of your house. Is that
too much to ask?
Again, look for an expert who doesn't care about your dog's age.
When you are finally ready and truly need help, you need help.
It's that simple and that's all there is to it. At least you are
seeking help.
7. They Gladly Accept Hard-to-Train or Bully Breeds
Experienced trainers work with ANY breed! In fact, many of them
gladly welcome the challenge of tough cases. Whether your dog
is considered a bully breed, dominant, aggressive, red zone, un-trainable,
or unpredictable, these pros never turn you down. Their goal is
to help you save your dog from being put down and love
proving all the skeptics wrong. This is because they possess the
knowledge and the expertise of working with challenging
cases.
Average dog schools flat out refuse to work with difficult,
big or 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's
just a puppy or a very nice dog, the majority of them will give
you the cold shoulder and say, “I’m sorry, but we
don’t accept that breed here.”
Diverse trainers have the courage and the hands-on experience
in working with the toughest dogs. These include: 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, Argentino
Dogo and my mom’s favorite—Kevin Salemo.
Again, a true dog lover will never discriminate against certain
dogs. Whether your dog happens to be small, big, scary, fussy,
mixed, or a breed with a bad reputation, it shouldn't make one
bit of difference. Your dog is just another case to them.
Many of you might find this hard to believe, but even a Labrador
or Golden Retriever can be a pain to train. Just about anyone
who knows about these dogs would admit that they are known to
be extremely smart and rarely get aggressive. But what breeders
and dog magazines never bother to mention is that both of these
breeds are also notorious for being very strong, hyper, over-friendly
and easily distracted. In fact, even old age doesn't always slow
them down one bit.
8. Their Training Method is Firm, But Fair
Let's face it; no parent can ever raise a child properly
without being firm and kind. Being firm alone may get you somewhere,
but balancing it with being fair is what makes a relationship
strong, healthy and loving.
I met a trainer years ago with a super-trained dog. This dog was
truly one of the best- trained German Shepherds I’ve 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. This would go on for ten and even twenty
minutes at a time. You guessed it. The poor dog was simply waiting
for the next command and, in a way, acted like a soldier instead
of a happy dog.
Folks, this is a classic case of "over-training" a
dog. His dog just couldn't have fun. He didn’t even want
to play with other dogs or interact with people. How sad. I told
the fella, “It’s obvious you’ve done a great
job becoming your dog’s master, but I can tell you are definitely
NOT his buddy.” He shrugged and said, “Hey, YOU be
his best friend."
Nobody can blame you for being your dog's
"buddy." But even if you do consider yourself as his
best friend in the whole wide world, he should still meet
your expectations and respect your wishes.
The idea is to praise your dog when he responds to you and correct
him for misbehaving on the spot. As long as you are NOT
harsh or abusive, you 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.
Diverse trainers always recommend that you jerk the leash in order
to stop your dog's lunging, jumping, barking, snapping, running
after cats, cars, or when your dog refuses to obey a command that
he already knows. Holding tightly onto your dog's leash
or waving a Beggin’ Strip in front of him is NOT training.
That's just restraining and bribing, and any
moron can do that.
We've all seen a master at work and dealing with dogs is no exception.
They make it seem too easy! You get mesmerized and can't believe
how smoothly your dog performs at his best for them. This alone
proves their diversity and years of hands-on experience.
Reading a bunch of dog books or training a few of your friends'
and neighbors' dogs on weekends is all nice and cute, but not
nearly enough to be considered as an actual reputable
trainer. You see, these experts have trained not hundreds but
thousands of dogs, which is why they have the confidence andthe skill to back up their claim.
Their uncanny ability goes far 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 Educate and Actually Let You Try Different Tools
Here's an interesting experiment: Gather the best-of-the-best
dog gurus in the world, but take away ALL of their training tools.
That’s right. 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 these
dog wizards could do. After all, even the almighty Cesar Millan
needs his tennis racket when dealing with unpredictable and snappy
dogs.
Answer this. Could you do your job without your pen,
paper, phone, vehicle, computer or certain technology? Some of
you probably could, but I'm sure the majority of us rely on certain
tools. In fact, without some, it would be like jumping into a
time machine and traveling hundreds of years back. We all know
that the use of proper tools and equipment improves speed and
quality of work. It is no different when it comes to dog training,
not to mention controlling your dog’s unacceptable
behavior.
These trainers educate and let you try different collars
so you can see for yourself which ones get your dog’s attention
and which do not. They always adapt and think outside the box.
Their main objective is making sure that YOU are the one who ultimately
can control your dog in any situation. Besides, if a
certain tool doesn't seem to faze your dog when you REALLY need
it to, what’s the point of using it in the first place?
That is no different than you buckling your seatbelt to a clip
that isn’t secure, or, even worse, there is no clip and
you just throw the useless thing over your shoulder or holding
it under your armpit so you fool the police. But who are you really
fooling?
Now take a closer look at the tool you are walking or training
your dog with these days. Does it stop your dog from misbehaving
around total strangers? How about around other dogs your pooch
hasn't met yet? Don't forget the cats, kids, joggers or moving
cars. I’m sure you’ll agree that most of the distractions
that I’ve just described fall under your day-to-day routine.
Sadly, the majority of trainers and dog schools limit you to only
one particular tool. Never forget this brutal truth: Something
that works on a small dog that isn’t too dominant or aggressive,
will NOT get you the same outcome with a much larger, stronger,
or far more determined dog. So don’t bring a knife to a
gun fight. (Unless you are some kind of super ninja, like I am,
you won’t stand a chance.)
Here's what I don't understand: The majority of
trainers are fully familiar with other training tools on the market,
but they do everything to keep you in the dark.
.............................................
Regardless of what a trainer’s
belief may be, I think "you," as the owner of your dog,
should have the right to make the final decision in regards to
your choice of tool. .........................................................................
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 your class. Don't forget; I am talking about
your current dog. We are all different and so are our
doggies.
What you'll love about Diverse experts is they help you find the
one tool that is a perfect match for your strength, mobility,
limitation, and let’s not forget—your overall expectations.
Average trainers rarely put much thought or consideration into
your dog's age, size, speed, strength, intelligence and determination.
After all, a solid technique and a positive attitude can only
take you so far. This is why having a useful tool that finally
can get your dog's attention plays a significant role in your
journey to success.
10. They Follow the "Diverse Method" and Rarely Give
Up
Almost ALL trainers stubbornly refuse to be Diverse.
That's the reality you have to accept and get used to.
But here's another undeniable fact: The best and the brightest
don’t believe that a dog cannot be trained or rehabilitated.
Their mindset is completely opposite from your typical trainer.
They focus more on HOW they can help you transform your dog. This
means they always explore various methods if and when necessary.
Simply put, they don't mind pushing the envelope by trying different
things.
I’ve enjoyed reading dozens of books on dog obedience, behavior
modification, canine psychology and breed characteristics. And
don't get me wrong, learning from books can be very helpful. But
I also believe, “If you do everything based on what you’ve
read from books, then it could also mean that you won’t
do much outside the book.” Do you see my point
here? After all, that’s how we grow beyond our boundaries
and limitations!
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. Again, I'm referring to the cream of
the crop or the elite of the elite. Such greatness is extremely
hard to come by. Reaching the very top wasn't just a cake-walk
for them. This is why I honestly believe that they make up less
than one percent of all dog trainers. And yes, some of
you already guessed it. The very best usually has a price tag.
I’ve traveled quite a bit in different cities and even
countries in order to work with many of these individuals and
found them to be amazing. They were excellent trainers and extraordinary
instructors. They were confident and sometimes even a bit cocky—but
always backed it up with skill, experience, knowledge and, of
course, that amazing “Diversity.”
This reminds me of another saying I have: "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.)
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 traits. That
is, if you flat out refuse to settle for average, decent, or even
excellent, but prefer to be remembered as one of the greatest
icons, a dog phenomenon, and a true legend in the dog industry.
As I mentioned before, the best and the brightest never believe
that your dog cannot be trained. They focus more on the HOW!
In a nutshell, what makes these trainers
brilliant is their versatility. They mix various styles
of training in a smart, effective and nonviolent fashion. Their
main goal is to custom fit an approach that works best for the
owner and the dog.
Is there a legend in your town? Maybe, maybe not. Ninety eight
percent of my clients aren’t local. That’s right,
ninety eight percent. It’s funny because I am more known
and appreciated outside Sacramento. (Must be the hair.)
Most of my clients travel hours to work with me. Some fly me to
their city or country because they weren't impressed much by anybody
local. Or the so-called expert told them that their dog was hopeless.
My mission is and always has been to educate dog owners from all
walks of life, and most importantly, to give them real hope.
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.
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.
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"!!!
No part of the contents, articles or quotes in this site shall
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a written consent from
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We've Done the Unthinkable and
Give Away Our Book to:
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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
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