BSL and Service Dogs

I have a really bad feeling that any city, county, state or country that has enacted, or will enact BSL  (Breed Specific Legislation) in the future, will start seeing a huge increase in "service dogs," and theyre gonna be pit bulls! Besides being morally corrupt, and completely disgraceful, its also against the law and a HUGE federal violation to impersonate a disabled person for the purpose of having a service dog; nevertheless, I think I can speak for many, many people in saying that there are A LOT of people in this country, and others, that fit this description.  Many more cities, and counties are learning more and more about pit bulls.  Not to mention the fact that they continue to maul, maim and kill more people and other animals than all other dog breeds combined.  Legislators are learning, and the people are getting tired of it.   More and more places are starting to discuss and enact BSL, which is leading those morally corrupt and disgraceful people to look for new ways to get around the law.  Yup, the perfect way to keep your pit bull, is to impersonate a disabled person and try to get your dog certified as a "service dog." Cmon pit bull owners, we know what youre doing. We may be disabled, but were NOT stupid!!!  Be advised, you morally corrupt and disgraceful people, the ADA and the Federal Government are also not stupid and are well aware of it....and there will SOON come a time when you all will be outed.  There will soon be a Federal Law enacted that will prohibit you from doing what youre doing! As it stands, the ADA is there for the purpose of protecting the disabled, and you, who try to FAKE your dogs certification as a "service dog" will soon pay the price.  Make no mistake!

Heres a quote I found online in regards to this topic. Frightening, isnt it?!

"As far as Im concerned, this is a loophole! Im planning on having all the BSL breeds in our rescue CGC and TDI certified. By federal law, no one is allowed to ask you for proof that the dog you have it a therapy dog. If they do you can sue them under ADA law. And all you need is a doctor willing to say you get stressed in public and need your dog to help you relax. That makes your dog a therapy dog. Done.


And now according to federal law, no city or state is allowed to ban your dog, regardless of breed, if its a therapy dog!!   Take that you brainless BSL supporting morons!!"


I wont go into why this person is a complete idiot, and totally ignorant of the law....well keep that between us.  If you know the law, you know why this will NOT work for this person.  She eventually decides to actually read the ADA regs and figures out why this wont work, but rest assured, there are many morally corrupt, disgraceful scumbags out there impersonating the disabled for this very reason. Watch out for them, and when you see them, REPORT THEM!!!

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Travel Safety this Summer with Wolfie

Hey, it’s Summer Time and time to hit the road or air for our family vacation.  I think I know what to do to make sure Wolfie is OK, but I want to be sure…

Whether you travel by car, truck, plane or train, help ensure a safe and pleasant journey with your pet by taking these safety precautions:

General Travel Tips:

• No matter what your mode of travel, the single best safe practice you can employ to keep your dog safe during the journey is to keep him restrained.
• Affix current identification to your dog. Even better, have him micro chipped, which provides a permanent form of I.D. to help ensure he is returned to you if he becomes lost.
• Carry a recent photograph of your dog to make it easier for others to help you look for him if he gets lost during the trip.
• If your dog is prone to anxiety or motion sickness, consult with your veterinarian about using pet tranquilizers for your dog appropriate for the particular type of travel you will take.
• Feed your pet his usual meal one to two hours before travel. (If your dog is prone to motion sickness, feed him two to four hours before travel.) Do not give him food or water during travel as it may spill, forcing him to lie in a mess during the trip.

Cars and Trucks

• No matter how long or short the journey, your dog should be restrained. An unrestrained dog is dangerous to himself and others. He can become a flying projectile that can injure you, your passengers or himself.
• Secure your dog in the back seat (dogs riding in the front seat can be seriously hurt if the airbags deploy) with a pet travel safety harness or car seat, or in a pet carrier fastened to a seatbelt. If you drive an SUV, install a pet barrier to keep the dog in the back area of the vehicle as well as securing him in his harness and attaching it to the hooks in the floor.
• If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup, use a crate or carrier secured to the truck bed to prevent him from being thrown into traffic at a sudden stop.
• Do not allow your dog to ride with his head out the window. Road debris and other flying objects can injure his eyes.
• Before you set out on your journey and after arriving at your destination, give your dog plenty of exercise. This will help him be more relaxed and able to acclimate to his new surroundings.
• When stopping for a break and before you open the car door, attach a leash to your dog’s collar so he can’t escape. Even the most obedient pet can become disoriented when traveling. Always use a leash to walk your dog.
• On a long car ride, stop every four hours or so to allow your dog to relieve himself (be sure to clean up after him), stretch his legs, refresh himself with a small drink of water, and help him understand that he’s going to another environment.
• Watch for temperature extremes. Your car is like an oven under the blazing sun and a freezer in the bitter cold.

Airline or Train Travel

• Whether he will go in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold, your dog will need to travel in an airline (or train) -approved carrier.  Check the airline (or train line) website for requirements.
• If your pet will travel as cargo, check for restrictions on any health/immunization and other requirements.
• Use direct flights to avoid mix-ups during transfers or the possibility of delays in getting your pet off the plane.  Ask the airline if you can watch your pet being loaded and unloaded into the cargo hold.
• Upon arrival at your destination, open the carrier as soon as you are in a safe place, and then clip a leash on your dog so you can safely examine him. If anything seems wrong, get him to a veterinarian right away.

Follow these precautions and Wolfie will love your family vacation too.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Dog Training Advice You Can Change Your Dog’s Behavior and Stop Being Embarrassed

Are you the proud owner of a new dog? Looking for some helpful dog training advice to get you started?

Getting a dog is an experience that can change your life. It’s much like welcoming a new (and rather rowdy) member into the family, really; a period of adjustment and change. For people who live alone, it can be a lesson in responsibility, in learning to take care of the needs of another creature. For those with families, the experience can be a lesson in patience, getting along (“Ma, the dog ate my sandwich again!”) and friendship. They’re not called “man’s best friend” for nothing, after all.

Having a dog is a much greater experience for both of you when the dog is disciplined. Dog training advice is essential in order to have a well behaved dog who is pleasant to be around. Starting with house training as well as behavioral training, make your dog one that you will be happy to take anywhere.

Nobody wants a dog who jumps on people all the time, or a dog who barks or growls continually. It can get very frustrating and annoying for you and others. These are all signs of aggression which are not healthy for your dog, and can be very embarrassing for you. Some small dogs get away with a lot more aggressive behavior because of their size.

I adore my two wiener dogs, and wouldn’t change them for anything. However, I realized that they had dominant behavior which was causing trouble at the dog park, as well as when I had people over and they would jump all over them.

One day I decided to take charge and address these problems. A trainer would have been very expensive, so that was out of the question. I was able to find the excellent dog training advice that I much needed and today I can enjoy my pups a lot more and don’t have to worry that they will cause trouble and embarrassment.

It is very important to address your dog’s habits. Here is the dog training advice that I found that will easily teach you how to effectively change your dog’s behavior. For more information, feel free to use this great resource on dog training advice.

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Veterans Can Now Apply For Assistance With Service Dog Expenses

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/04/military_servicedog_benefits_042710w/

This is an important announcement in regards to Veterans of the Armed Forces that have service dogs, or may benefit from the use of a service dog.

There has been a push for the Department of Veterans Affairs to be more "service dog friendly," as having a service dog is a great substitute for medications in a lot of cases where depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an issue. However, its important to remember that a dog that is used to "make you feel better" is NOT considered a service dog; that is a therapy dog, and is not afforded the same public access rights as a service dog.  A service dog MUST be "individually trained to perform certain tasks for the benefit of the disabled person." So, just being there to make one feel good is not considered a task.  Just something to remember.

I think it is crucially important for the VA healthcare system to become more service dog friendly, and support Veterans that use service dogs. A lot of doctors continue to push medications for a lot of ailments, and sometimes, the use of a service dog can have a great impact on the amount of medication someone needs to take, but not always.

There are several articles online, such as the one above that discusses this fairly new benefit for Veterans. I think ALL Veterans that use service dogs, should apply for this benefit! This new benefit essentially provides some compensation for those Veterans that use service dogs, in helping with costs associated with keeping a service dog.

Please look into this, and if you are a Veteran with a service dog, please go to your nearest VA hospital and apply for this benefit.

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Puppy Training 1 How Soon Can I Begin

How early can you begin to train a puppy? Even though you may not deliberately set out to train your puppy as early as seven or eight weeks, you can be guaranteed that he is learning how to best interact in your world as soon as you bring him home. He is learning from every interaction with you, and as your dogs owner, its your job to make sure that he is learning the right things!

As a dog trainer, the most common training questions that I hear from puppy owners are about house training, jumping up on people, and puppy biting. Usually the question is framed in this way: "How can I teach my puppy NOT to jump on people, bite me, or soil in the house?" These problems can definitely be solved, but we must first learn to rephrase our question: "What can I teach my puppy to do INSTEAD of jumping up, biting me, or soiling in the house?"

As you begin to identify positive behaviors that the puppy can perform that PREVENT the unwanted behaviors, you have taken the first step toward teaching your puppy to be the best family companion that he can be.

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Can I Give Wolfie Too Much Affection

I am always petting Wolfie, picking him up, giving him hugs & kisses, talking to him in a high, baby voice...  Is that ok?

As dog trainers, we are asked this question a lot.  Sometimes we arent asked this question and have to instruct our clients on the errors of their ways.  Simply put, it is possible to give your dog too much love and affection.  The problem comes down to the differences between humans and their canine companions.

As people, we love affection.  We love it when people say good things about us, we are always in need of a hug.  We comfort our small children when we are leaving with a high pitched "Oh, dont worry, daddy will be right back".  In some countries, it is custom to give kisses on the the cheeks when greeting.  Since Wolfie is so cute and cuddly, we naturally pour the hugs and kisses on him.

This is absolutely the wrong thing to do.  When we give Wolfie too much hugs and kisses, we are sending him a signal that we may not be the strong leader that will keep him safe. Remember, the very top thing that Wolfie wants in life is to feel safe.  If properly trained, he looks to us as his leader who will provide him with that safety.  As strong leaders, we are resolute, firm, calm, and consistent. Wolfie should be providing us focus, intent on receiving the proper leadership to stay safe.

If we are constantly giving Wolfie our focus with all that "hugs & kisses" stuff, we are sending him the signal that he is the boss.  If we are picking him up to cuddle, we are giving him dominance and surrendering our leadership.  We are telling Wolfie he must be the Alpha Canine Leader of the pack.  Many times this will result in bad behavior such as jumping  barking, nipping, and separation anxiety.

So the bottom line is that you can give Wolfie affection, just dont go overboard with it.  If Wolfie is a small dog, dont pick him up all the time.  He has four feet, he can walk.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Field Training At The Mall

     Jade and I had a field outing with the trainer yesterday and today we are attending the training class again. Since we went out of town, we missed a class and a field outing, so now we are making up for lost time.  No buggy though, I love spending this quality time with Jade, and she has a great time too.  Weve actually missed two weeks, since Jade was sick the week before and last week we were out of town. Jade had come down with an upper respiratory thing, which I believe she contracted from me, since Id been sick as well.  Who knows? The Vet said although there have been studies done on whether dogs contract our illnesses, they are not conclusive, so its still questionable.  Anyway, we are making up for lost time, and Jade is doing great.  Yesterday the field trainer met us at the mall, and we did some different things to see how Jade would do.  We got on and off a couple of elevators, and Jade was great.  Its just funny the way she looks at the floor when the elevator starts or stops moving.  :)  She just looks down at the floor, like shes thinking "why is the floor moving?" Its pretty funny.  She wore her harness yesterday and is doing great with it.  She knows the purpose of the harness now, and she understands it is for supporting me, bracing and  helping me with balance.  I can tell she understands this because of the way she uses the harness.  Shes such a champ! The trainer was impressed at how well she did at the mall, which is actually a pretty strange environment for her, as shes only been inside one other time.  
     People are usually pretty friendly when they see us together, and a lot of people ask questions about how she is being trained, how she helps me, etc.  Most people are good about it accepting us into their stores and restaurants, but there are some places that are not as service dog friendly, although they dont have a choice, really. I did talk to the trainer about the episode we had while on vacation, with the other dog that approached Jade nose to nose while she was working. We talked about Jades defensiveness with other dogs that get too close; although Jade is not always like that.  It really depends on the circumstances under which she is approached by other dogs.  The trainer and I agree that it has a lot to do with how I am reacting in that situation.  When that incident happened in Santa Fe, I remember the dog coming up to Jade and sniffing her nose, and me thinking "Oh my God, NO! Here we go again!" and tightening up on her leash.  That is most of the problem.  I know because weve had other instances just like this one, where I relaxed the leash, took a deep breath, and thought "Itll be ok," and it was! It really is amazing how much our dogs react to how we feel! The trainer really didnt issue any homework for Jade on this subject, but for me.  She told me to think of something that really helps me to relax, a happy thought, to use when this sort of thing happens, and to relax the leash.  Im sure shes right, and Ill have to work on that. 
     Otherwise, Jade did wonderfully at the mall, on the elevators, and with the trainer rolling suitcases in front of her, and dropping food on the floor in front of her (which she didnt touch).  It took a while for Jade to get that one.  :)  Jade is definitely motivated by food, as most Labs are. She learned not to touch any food that falls on the floor, and not eat anything unless its given to her by hand, and I okay it.  The training on this isnt over yet, though, were still working on it, but shes doing well.  I really want Jade to be a bomb proof service dog, but I do know that no dog is perfect, and they all have bad days.  She will have her certification test out in the public somewhere and I want her prepared to pass it with flying colors.
     The trainer and I also discussed those websites that are selling vests and such, in order for people to put on their dogs, and call them "service dogs," for the purpose of getting around the law.  My trainer expressed her disgust with these websites and the people who impersonate the disabled and have their dogs impersonate a service dog, for this purpose.  It really is a disgraceful act! A lot of studies have been done in the past about lawbreakers and criminals, and it turns out that most people do in fact, try their very best to obey the laws.  The people who do these sorts of things fit the definition of criminals, and definitely fit the definition of disgraceful! The laws on this are full of holes, and are very vague, and basically dont stop people who do this disgraceful practice, but the ADA regs are written that way for a reason...to protect the disabled.  Its hard to say what needs to be done in this case. 
     Jade did great at the mall, and the trainer was happy with her, as am I.  We will attend class today and catch her up on anything she missed.  Im betting that they want to work on Jades responses to loud noises again today.  Although Jade is definitely getting better with that, she still has some anxiety with a lot of prolonged loud noise.  She will get it though, I have faith.  She will get to the point that none of that bothers her anymore.  Lets hope it happens quickly. Thanks for listening.  


Here are some links below, that are great reads for anyone who just loves dogs in general.  Check them out!






If you love dogs, all kinds of dogs, and want to see what theyre doing for their people....check out this link below.

https://www.facebook.com/exploredogs?sk=wall

The story of Danny, A Service Dog Who Saved A Life

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/service-dog-saves-life-arizona-bethe-benne_n_1248293.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D132236

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Separation Anxiety How Can I Help

Wolfie just goes nuts when I leave the house.  He barks and attempts to destroy everything.  The neighbors tell me that they think there is a "possessed being" in my house.  Is this "separation anxiety" and what can I do about it?

Separation anxiety is one of the most difficult issues to resolve in a dogs behavior.  It is brought about because of prior experiences as shelter or abused dog or lack of leadership in the current environment.  Over the coming months I will be discussing this in more detail, but, for now, lets get going on one thing we can do.

Wolfie and other dogs are very attuned to the sounds around them.  If their territory (home) sounds like everything is fine, they will feel that it is fine.  The way that they come to this conclusion is based on the "white noise" they are processing.  If they hear you doing the laundry or opening the refrigerator, everything is fine, Mommy or Daddy are home, no big deal.  If they dont hear this, they begin to increase their adrenaline and wonder where the rest of the pack actually are. 

Many people leave the TV on for their dogs as "white noise" for their being home.  This could actually be a negative thing if the TV is not always on.  Wolfie learns "A=B".  If the TV is on, you are not here.  Oh my gosh, I have to react to you not being here!  I will bark and destroy! (Just for your information, this is bad.)

We have an interesting solution.  Record about 30 minutes of daily household activities you would normally perform.  About 10 minutes before you leave, turn on the recording.  From this point until you leave, be very quiet.  Now, leave the house while your continuous loop recording continues to play.  

Wolfie now is focused on your natural noises and has been be redirected from your departure and his need to initiate separation anxiety.

This is only one of several things you must implement to successfully resolve Wolfies separation anxiety, but it is a start.  In the coming weeks, I will publish more articles that will assist you to resolve this problem.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Wolfie Seems Afraid of Me What Can I Do

I am not sure what it is, but Wolfie seems afraid of me.  Hell always stay away from me and never comes!  What can I do that wont make the situation worse?

Unfortunately, we see this more times that we would like.  All doggie owners try to be good doggie owners, but sometimes we just blow our stacks.  We get mad, yell & scream, and sometimes whack our "best friend".  Bad experiences can leave very strong impressions with dogs and can last a long time.

So we messed up.  What can we do to make it right with Wolfie?  

One way is to practice an exercise called "V Feeding".  This is a process where we use small treats or kibble to entice Wolfie to come to us, feel safe, and then allow him to move away.  The entire point of this exercise is that we are allowing Wolfie to feel safe the entire time.  Here is what you do:

1. Get some small treats (Zukes Doggie Treats are perfect) or Wolfies kibble.
2. Have Wolfie about eight feet away from you.  Throw a goodie to the left of Wolfie about seven feet from you.  Allow Wolfie to go and get it.
3. Now, throw a goodie to the right of Wolfie about six feet from you.  Allow Wolfie to go and get it.
4. Repeat the left and right process with the food, moving Wolfie closer and closer to you.
5. When you have Wolfie about three feet from you, kneel down low to see if he will come to you.  If he does, that is great.  If he does not, that is not a problem.
6. Now, start throwing goodies to your left and right at increasing distances from you.  All you are doing here is reversing the process where you had Wolfie come to you.
7. Once Wolfie is about eight feet away from you, praise Wolfie in your high voice.  Stand still for a moment or two and then walk away.

Repeat this process two or three times a day.  What you are doing is to remove the notion that you are "the boogie man" in Wolfies eyes.  Coming and going from you is a pleasurable experience.  After about one week, toss the goodies so that Wolfie is right next to you.  Continue that for a week and then start to slowly pet Wolfie when he is right next to you.  (Remember that you are kneeling down low when you are doing this.)

Do not pet Wolfie by extending your hand over his head.  Show him the back of your hand and slowly move it along the ground towards his chest.  (If he flinches, do not press the matter.  You will try it again the next time.)  Once you reach his chest, slowly rub him.  Make sure that he is looking at you and you are looking at him.  Next, slowly move your hand around to his back and continue the rubbing.  

What we have done is to "reintroduce" yourself to Wolfie in a non-aggressive way.  We have allowed Wolfie to come to the conclusion that you will not harm him.  You will then have the opportunity to regain his respect and focus  and he will once again feel safe and secure around you.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Can good dog food lead to good dog grooming

You want to know whether or not there are dog food you feed a dog valuable as a whole will also help ease the dog and appearance? If you do not have it when you do not think the hat for this is a very good idea.

Good dog food and great dog is ready for attendance

The doctor for dog food for the dogs recommended you own, breed is the best and safest option. However, there are other good dog food brands that meet the ideal dog food tags. If you often, "I have my dog eat dog, which a healthy, shiny coat and skin," Heres the ideal food for the dog to select a list of our criteria is to ensure the feed should have asked himself.

1. The quality of food for the dog. Certainly an important concern if you love your dog. Like you, your dog deserves good food and quality food. Quality dog food not only for unique visits to the doctor you have to save money, but also your dog healthy and will boost her immunity. Dog food will make its presence felt in good fat and skin glow and shine of the skin. So, you dog is ready to roll in the movie and more about spending less on you! , That what we are eating and we remember what is in effect for canines. So choose carefully!

2. Dog food price. Sure, good quality dog food at one price, but if you come in the name of a quality hands and feet are being charged, and a brand, it is best to select. A reasonable price on quality dog food is what you should be searching. Recommendations for your dog to the doctors check.

3. Dog food to taste. Food that we enjoy good taste. Similarly, what you feed your dog should be like. If your dog that you already can not afford many dog foods have tried, this time more carefully to see. Beautiful, healthy and nutritious food and their precious poochs presence for long life is important.

4. The availability of food for the dog. While there are many premium dog food brands that quality standards, taste and price are getting, only that they are not easily available. There is no point that cost you dearly in the form of goods will be via a special dog food to order is going on. Look around the house and you find something good option for dog food are forced.

5. Of dog food and corporate responsibility. Dog food manufacturing companies that also dogs and dog owners understand the needs of the continuous quality of their food to ensurere innovating, we are recommending like.

6. I think that is unique to a breed of dog food is needed? Major producers of many many years unmake suffering from the size and exercise requirements, including specific breeds of nutrition needs, then this information is tailored in a unique food is researched. Special breed of dog food for some time and pampered spaniel to Rottweiler dogs from several owners of all that every race is different, agreed on the specific breed of dog food for his best round this will ensure that Has!

In the end, when you have something that not only offer quality, but also other important criteria are fulfilled dog food brands on the Internet for research may want to spend. , A healthy and well remember - only you proud of the dog ready, but will not be too long to bring you - enjoy Standing!

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Lack of Oversight in the Service Dog Realm

http://www.wbir.com/rss/article/229626/2/10News-Investigates-Service-dog-industry-lacks-oversight

Above is a great article/video about the service dog industry and the fact that it lacks oversight.  I completely AGREE! Too often people DO just slap a vest on an untrained, out of control, stressed out dog and call it a "service dog" in order to take it places with them where it certainly should NOT go.
I also agree that there SHOULD be some kind of regulatory testing that takes place, even when someone chooses to train their own service dog.  I still think that people should be allowed to train their own service dog to meet their own needs, however; even self-trained service dogs need some kind of oversight.  This would, at the very least STOP those despicable people who think its ok to just toss a vest on their dog and call it a service dog.

Im assuming here that people DO understand why this is a problem, but it may be necessary to give a brief description of why this is so.  Fake service dogs are a problem because, first, a person must FAKE being disabled in order to have a fake service dog.  I dont really have to tell you have despicable that is, do I? Most people, with even a tiny bit of education, know how difficult it is to actually be disabled, and how difficult it is to get disability benefits, and how hard one has to fight for them, right? Thats because there are people out there who want to FAKE being disabled, in order to receive benefits that they DO NOT have a right to. One of those benefits is to have a service dog.  So you fakers out there are just making things more difficult for the truly disabled, but you dont care about that do you?  Thats why its important to have oversight, even in the service dog realm.

Secondly, a FAKE service dog is NOT properly trained, neither is the handler. Therefore, and Ive had it happen to me and my real service dog, handlers of FAKE service dogs think its ok for them to let their little faker right in your real service dogs face, while your dog is performing duties...working! The fake handlers say stupid things upon doing that, like, "Lets let them say hi...." or "Look they can work together!" FAKE handlers with FAKE service dogs have no understanding about how these type of distractions can really cause serious problems for a real service dog and REAL handler. Also, FAKE handlers with FAKE service dogs have a tendency to choose breeds of dogs that have a tendency toward aggression, and without training or proper control can easily ruin a REAL service dog and cause early retirement to a REAL service dog, as they tend to attack any and everything, bark like mad demons at people and REAL service dogs, and just wreak havoc. Those are the people that are FAKING being disabled and having a FAKE service dog for the  purpose of making some sort of "statement" to the general public about a certain breed of dog. Yes, pit bull lovers/disability fakers, that one is for you!

Third, whether people like to believe it or not, those who are really disabled and have REAL service dogs are often looked down upon when entering certain establishments with their REAL service dogs, and thats because of the FAKERS.  Its because the owners or managers of those establishments have "had it" with having to let the FAKE service dogs and FAKE disabled handlers into their establishments without being able to do anything about it, because of the way the Federal law is written in this department and because there is NO OVERSIGHT in the service dog department. Therefore, when a truly disabled person comes walking in with their REAL service dog, the manager sees them and what goes through his/her head? "Here we go again......another untrained FAKE service dog!"

So in case readers of this post were not aware of the problems caused by FAKERS, this will give you a start in understanding. Also, its not just the FAKERS we need to be concerned about.....

The problem with lack of oversight in the service dog arena is also an issue for those who sometimes, not always, choose to train their own service dogs and dont do it right.  There are people who may truly be disabled and are honestly attempting to train their service dog themselves, that really dont understand the laws about service dogs, or the basic training rules, the dogs stress signals,
 etc.  There are also organizations out there, Im sure, that claim to know and dont, and that dont do a very good job training.  So that can also be a problem as well.

Essentially, the service dog arena desperately NEEDS oversight.  We need some sort of Federal or even local institution that can truly verify that a handler is indeed disabled by law and that their service dog is appropriately trained to perform tasks necessary to assist the handler, and that the dog can always pass the public access test. 

The reasons Ive mentioned above are only a few reasons, Im certain, of the need for this type of oversight.  Its not that the Federal government doesnt know about the FAKERS....they know.  They also have looked into a way to put a stop to it, without infringing on the rights of the truly disabled.....this is an extremely difficult dilemma.  If they could find a way to create strict oversight for the service dog realm, without infringing on the rights of the truly disabled, Im sure it wouldve been done by now.  We need to help them find a way.  Those of us who are truly disabled, need to be flexible about what were willing to tolerate in terms of rules and regulations, so that the FAKERS can be ruled OUT!

I also want to post these new articles about MORE Service Dogs being attacked by loose dangerous dogs, Pit Bulls. These attacks are only becoming more and more frequent and are extremely traumatic for the handlers and their service/guide dogs alike.  THESE ATTACKS MUST STOP!

PEOPLE PLEASE! KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH, ESPECIALLY YOUR PIT BULLS, AND KEEP THEM OUT OF THE WAY OF SERVICE AND GUIDE DOGS! 

IF YOU CANNOT CONTROL YOUR DANGEROUS DOG, DONT HAVE ONE!!!!! 

http://www.theprovince.com/life/bull+owner+sought+after+attack+woman+guide+park/7018536/story.html

http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_3ea5edc1-5b97-5cdf-825b-b2f9c1847d76.html

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Basic Dog Training

Dog training

As a dog owner, you might want to train your pet certain commands to make sure that the pet understands and will interact to your commands.
Thats why I recommend Dog Training Essentials collection of FREE Ebooks, It worked with me and it will work for you

Dog Training Essentials link below containt a Zip file in which there are 5 eBooks about Dogs, with video books, articles and review contents.

- Caring for a Healthy Dog : 37 pages
- Dog Training 101 : 13 pages
- Dog Training Basics : 59 pages
- Homemade Pet Food Secrets : 12 pages
- Puppy Training Basics : 17 pages

Download Link : Basic Dog Training

Hope this helped

Inna Reviwes

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Dogs and Sibling Rivalry

My two dogs have been fine for years and all of a sudden they have become aggressive and possessive between each other.  I have heard this could be caused by sibling rivalry. I know I had this with my sister and brother, but can this happen with dogs?

The answer is "yes", dogs do have the ability to display sibling rivalry.  This might a simple snap and growl from time to time to a full out brawl almost every time they get close to each other.  The important thing is to try and correct this as soon as possible or you may have to rehouse one or both of your dogs.

Here are some tips that we have developed over the years:

• Keep your dogs separated until you are comfortable that they no longer act on aggressive tenancies or display dominance posturing.   
• Before you begin, you must clearly understand that the most important relationship that needs to be reestablished and strengthened is the relationship between you and each of your dogs.  Remember that sibling rivalry is often caused because the owner has not demonstrated enough leadership.
• Distance control is a very important exercise that you must practice with each dog on an individual basis.  Put the dog on a long lead and then throw something he will run after.  Gain his attention and have him come back to you.  If you cant easily get your dogs attention, give the lead a slight tug to get your dogs attention.  If you cant get their attention when they are going after a toy or bone, you will never get their attention if they start to go at each other.
• Sibling rivalry is also caused because one of the dogs feels that there has been a special alliance established between you and the other dog.  Make sure that you treat each dog equally. 
• Always have leashes on the dogs when they are together.  This will allow you and another family member to always be in control.  If you see too much staring or posturing between one or both of the dogs, redirect them back to you and have them do something on your terms.  A good idea is to have them sit in front of you and give you focus for a few moments.  After that, release them and continue to observe.
• If your dogs dont become aggressive when you are with them, always make sure that they are crated when you are gone.  As the leader, you can create any environment you wish.  You have decided that they are crated when you are gone and will take the opportunity for aggression away.  This helps to diminish the inappropriate behavior.
• As stated earlier, you need to build up respect between you and your dogs.  The term that I like to use is that you must be resolute.  Signs of respect that you should look for are:
• Head down
• ears back
• quick licking of the lips
• complete focus

The important thing here is to go slow and stay consistent.  Never put the dogs in a situation where you are not in complete control.  As the boss, you are in charge.  If you have more questions, please dont hesitate to contact your local Bark Buster Trainer at Great Dog Training in South Florida.

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Wolfie Walking With Me Through The House

Sometimes Puppy Wolfie and I might be in the kitchen and I want him to come with me into the family room or my back office.  I dont want to go and get a leash or use treats.  How can I just get him to come with me?

What you are really trying to do is to have Puppy Wolfie  "stick with you" when you go somewhere else in the house.  In some respects, it could be equated to "walking off leash", but I still want him contained in the house.  You can think of it as "walking off leash  light".  Again, this is best taught when Wolfie is a puppy.  Here is what you do:

You first want to teach Wolfie "come".  I have reviewed this before, but let me give you a quick review:

• Put a leash and collar on Puppy Wolfie.  
• Step to the end of the leash, stoop low, and say "come".  (Only say "come" once.)
• If he doesnt come, give a slight tug on the leash and guide him to you.
• Praise him with a high tone when he gets to you.
• Repeat this process until you dont need to give him any tug (guidance) to go to your side.
• Get a longer lead (15 feet) and repeat the above process, first at 10 feet and then at 15 feet.
• Now you will drop the leash, walk 10 feet away from Puppy Wolfie, turn, stoop low, and say "come".  If he doesnt come to you, use the leash at 10 feet and 15 feet again (you have progressed to quickly).  Repeat this process until he is going to your side on a regular basis.
• You have now created a unique command (come) with a consistent and repetitive result (get by your side).

It is now time to ramp it up and have him be with you as you walk through the house.  What we really are doing is to create a "come while I am moving" action.

• Start with Puppy Wolfie by your side.  Start to walk.
• Bend over slightly, say "come on", tap your pant leg, and be animated.
• Puppy Wolfie should now follow you based on what you had previously taught him.

Dont move too fast.  If Puppy Wolfie is a little hesitant about walking with you, stop every few feet, stoop, say "come on", pat your let, and get animated when he approaches you.

Again, all we have done is to create a "come while I am moving" exercise.  We have done it just after Puppy Wolfie has mastered the "come" command so the actions are fresh and only slightly different. If Puppy Wolfie can master this command while he is young, walking off leash outside will be far easier to teach as he gets a little older.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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