Wolfie Is Nuts

I read all the books, watch all the dog training shows, ask for advice from all my friends, and Wolfie is still nuts.  What gives?

I bet you are wondering what the picture of Marge, Homer, Bart, and Lisa has to do with doggie issues.  Surprisingly, it depicts one of the most important issues you need to take into consideration when Wolfie isnt listening to you; or Wolfie is crazy; or Wolfie is nipping you; etc.

We all must remember that Wolfie is a member of our family, or in his eyes, a member of the pack.  If the pack is weak, inconsistent, or always fighting, it is not the pack that Wolfie can trust and respect.  Because of this, he will not listen or pay attention to anything you ask of him.  Some examples of families who show this inappropriate tenancies are:

• Kids always bullying parents.
• Parents going through a divorce.
• Strong difference of opinion of how to deal with Wolfie.
• General "insanity" within the household...

Unfortunately, some of our clients are experiencing these activities and, because of it, they are having issues with their doggies.  General canine obedience or behavioral exercises are not enough to get Wolfie back in line and for him to become a happy member of the family.

What we tell our clients is that they must first build a strong, consistent, and calm environment within their human family.  It is only at this point that they will provide Wolfie with the perspective that he is part of a pack that will keep him safe.  It is only at this point that he will provide the respect and focus that is necessary to be a good dog.

So, now lets get back to the picture of Marge, Homer, Bark, and Lisa.  If your family looks like that, your ability to instruct Wolfie in being a good dog is just about nonexistent.

You must be happy, calm, respectful, and consistent among each other in order to have Wolfie understand that it is time to learn.   For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Wolfie Just Doesnt Get It

Sometimes I think that Wolfie just doesnt get it.  I see all these other dogs sitting and coming and waiting and walking and doing a whole lot of other stuff.  I just cant get him to do it.  I dont think he is a dummy....

No, Wolfie isnt a dummy.  Robin and I have worked with over 1,700 dogs and have never found a dog that did not have the ability to learn.  The secret is that ALL dogs have the ability to learn, we just have to find out where they have the ability to start learning.

Some dogs are fast learners, some dogs are easily distracted, some dogs think they know it all, and others simply want to play.  We need to find out what level to begin training based on the Wolfies current abilities and temperament.  Let me give you an example of trying to teach "come" to Wolfie.

I take Wolfie outside in the back yard and walk around for a bit until he is a good distance away.  He is sniffing the bushes and watching the ducks swim across the lake.  I call Wolfie, "Come Wolfie, come!".  He doesnt pay attention so I yell louder "Come Wolfie, come!".  (That always works, right?)  Guess what.  Wolfie still isnt paying me the least bit of attention.  In fact, he has now jumped in the lake and is swimming after the ducks.  I now get mad because Wolfie isnt coming.  

The problem with the above scenario is that Wolfie had way too many distractions to listen to our "lesson" and we had no way to show Wolfie what we wanted him to do.  So if Wolfie isnt coming when there are distractions and he is a long way from us, lets set the scene to eliminate the distractions and shorten the distance.

I have now gone back into the house and have returned with a six foot leash.  I clip the leash on Wolfies collar and am now ready to start over.  Holding the leash in my hand, I kneel and tell Wolfie to "come".  He didnt, so I gave the leash a slight tug to show Wolfie what I wanted.  Now he came to me.  Good Wolfie!!!

All I did was to create an initial learning experience where Wolfie would have the clear ability to succeed.  He will eventually come to me from the other side of the yard (even with the ducks), but I needed to create a starting place from which to build.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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