Training Tips

   Owning a dog is a huge responsibility. It takes time, dedication and patience. A dog should be for life, and not a throw away piece of property. Whatever dog you get, make sure you choose the right breed, and also have TIME for that animal, they DEPEND on you for everything!
     Training starts from the minute you get a dog, and if it's a puppy, remember, what you do now, set's up your relationship for the rest of your lives together. Puppies are SPONGES, and will soak up good and bad behavior every second their eyes are open. It is YOUR JOB to teach them what is right and wrong, they are INFANTS. You teach them correct behavior by rewarding it, but remember, you can also teach them bad behavior by rewarding it, many times unknowingly.
    I believe in training by positive reinforcement, and disciplining by negative. What that means, is until a dog knows the correct behavior, corrections are kept to a minimum. Firm, fair and gentle, loving training at an early age, will produce a pleasurable dog to live with. Socialization is of utmost importance, with both humans and other dogs. All of this takes time and patience. Dogs are amazingly smart creatures, more than we give them credit for. I believe there are not *dumb dog's*, just DUMB OWNERS, who create their problem (aka-dumb) dogs. Remember-- reward the behavior, and it will be repeated (both good and bad)! If you have any training questions please feel free to e-mail me. My e-mail address is on the bottom of the page.

To give you the dog's perspective, please take a moment to read this poem.......
(warning-- get the kleenex)

DO I GO HOME TODAY?

My family brought me home,
Cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me,
And said I was full of charms.

They played with me,
And laughed with me.
They showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family,
Especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me,
They gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them,
All snuggled in the sheets.

I used to go for walks,
Often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash,
I'm very proud to say.

These things I can't forget,
A cherished memory.
I now live in the Shelter,
Without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me,
When I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference,
Between the old one and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag,
For hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing then,
When I chewed the bathroom rug.

They said I was out of control,
And would have to live outside.
This I did not understand,
Although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped one by one.
They said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things,
I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely,
In the backyard on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long,
To keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter,
But were embarrassed to say why,
They said I caused an allergy,
And then kissed me good-bye.

If only I'd had some classes,
When I was a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle,
When I was all grown up.

"You only have one day left,"
I heard the workers say.
Does this mean a second chance?
Do I go home today?

** Millions of dogs are euthanized yearly, many needlessly, due to lack of proper training.
Don't let that be your dog. Train don't complain, your dog will thank you for it! **

email me