Be Patient With Your Pup

​An important message: please don't give up on your dog so easily, or at all for that matter. Most problems you have with your dog can be fixed. Some are easy quick fixes and some can take some intense training and some time. Before you pull your hair out, before you give your dog away, or before you become so frustrated you begin to resent your dog, call me. I will be honest and straight forward with you. I can usually tell you within a short amount of time whether the problem can be fixed. Our shelters are too full and the dogs we care for need a good home. Please consider this. If you're new to the dog world, you can call me as well with questions and tips. I am willing to even help you pick out a dog to make sure you get the best one available in a litter you're considering.  

​- Russ

Modular Training

Quick tip. When you find something your dog struggles with, expose the dog to the situation more frequently, not less. It's all about modular training. Step by step. Sometimes baby steps. Go at your dog's pace. Put your dog in situations which are positive and fun. Always make sure you are a team with your dog. 

​ - Russ

Training Ratio

A quote to remember this week is, "a dog is the only thing in this world that loves you more than they love themselves."

This weeks tip is to remember this ratio when training your dog. 5 to 1. Say it with me 5 to 1, 5 to 1, 5 to 1. Your dog should get 5 praises (good boy/girl, atta-boy/girl) to everyone 1 correction they get. Whether the correction be verbal or by corrective collars. Each time your dog does something good, and gives you a desired behavior they should be praised several times. When your dog does a bad behavior and you correct them, once they are proper, praise them 5 times to let them know what is wanted and what is not. 

While doing your training, whatever it may be, this ratio remains. This is a proven ratio to getting a well behaved and obedient dog. 

- Russ

Apollo

I had the opportunity to meet a new client, Ryan. Ryan serves the public as an honorable firefighter in the State Of Utah, and I wanted to personally thank him for his service. 

Ryan brought me his dog, Apollo, a 2 year old Doberman. I liked this dog from the moment I saw him. Apollo is very friendly and loves Ryan very much. 

Ryan's request was to teach his dog personal protection. Ryan wants a dog who is willing and capable in protecting him and his family. I spent an hour with Ryan and Apollo today. I was very impressed with how quickly Apollo picked up what he was supposed to do. Apollo is a very controlled dog and engaged the bad guy (me) with hesitation at first. However, once Apollo figured out what he was supposed to do, he engaged me without any hesitation at all. My arm is still feeling his strong bite. What a great dog. Apollo and I will be continuing our work together and I'm proud of his swift improvement. 

- Russ