I Will Do Anything...

"I will do anything to stop this [barking, housebreaking, destructive behavior, aggression, fear, pulling, stealing, not coming,]." I hear it all the time on the other end of my phone, through e-mails and posted on boards. What is this anything they are talking about?

Well most of the time the owners think they are going onto the dark side, which includes the methods of flooding, kicking, hanging, yelling at, or hitting your dogs. However, I have personally never met a dog trainer or dog training school that uses these "methods" of dog training. I hear it in the trembling voice on the other end of the phone. Imagine their surprise when they hear or see my methods. That is, if they get that far in the first place.

In order to train at Mannerly Mutts there are some questions that need answering, some contracts that need signing, and I need to truly feel that the client will look out for the best interest of their dog. Otherwise, I am wasting both of our time. I do not waste my time with someone who is not that concerned about their dog. There are plenty of dog trainers around here that are not concerned whether a client does the work or not.   Mannerly Mutts is not one of them.

I see many of my clients and their dogs later on. One, because I have selected (yes, even in this economy) my clients carefully. Two, because they want to board their dogs in a house and yard that they are free to use and play in all day long. My clients do not want to NOR need to board their dogs in a kennel. They also know that most all of the dogs who come here have been trained using me, and are off lead trained. This provides for the safety and easy management of conflicts among dog personalities. So I better approve of these clients, as I am going to see them for not only their current dog's life, but most likely the dogs that come along after that in the future.

The "anything" that I want my clients to do, is to want to train, spend time with, and adequately care for their dog.   The "anything" that the political faction is talking about is either an urban myth or a method used by dog trainers mistaking themselves as professionals. They are not using anything that has been taught in the carefully constructed plans of  famous successful trainers. I study methods such as these everyday, and I don't use my body position or handling abilities to the best affect of the students of the students of the students of these masters yet. They looked so far ahead into what the dogs should and can be doing, that you are practicing for your Utility, as you are doing the Novice. That is, IF you are doing it the way it has been instructed. The main problem with the political faction is that the method has morphed more into "you do not need to train your dog to any standard whatsoever" in order to make your dog's life the most positive and fulfilling that it can be.

Here is the "anything" that students need to do. They need to look to the details of their handling (body position, holding the leash, movement of the shoulders, where the head is) of their dogs in order to excel. Now does everyone NEED to excel in the art of dog training? No they do not, but they do need to do it to the best of their ability. Why do they NEED to do that? To present to the dog the fairest and clearest picture of the foreign language now being introduced to them. I so wish that people would stop thinking of excuses of why they don't NEED to do very simple things, and instead think of what is BEST FOR THEIR DOG. That would make me very happy. Why spend all one's energy arguing about why they don't need to hold the leash handle the correct way? Why not just do it? Of course, I explain why and have a very detailed training manual that explains why. Why not just do it, and see what happens from there? Maybe the results that you could just could be because you did the training properly for the right consistency and clarity to your canine companion?

The people who have done the non or sub standard training are the ones that I hear grumblings from. "I went to a trainer but my dog keeps humping me". "I went to a trainer, and my dog is great unleash unless we pass by something living". "I went to a trainer, but my dog can't walk on surfaces like XYZ". "I went to a trainer, but whenever my dog hears a bell ring he freaks out." "I went to a dog trainer, but Fluffy can't handle it when a dog gets in her face." Dogs aren't perfect, and they are not robots. However, if you have gone through the trouble to get yourself a dog trainer, you should have someone that can coach you to make marked improvement in your dogs behavior. If you are not satisfied that has happened, by all means ask for your money back!! That is if you can also say that you did the homework as instructed. Also if you both agreed that this is something that would be worked on, AND you took the lessons numbers as advised by your trainer. If you didn't, then the only person to blame is yourself, as you will never know what your dog could have done under that instruction.

If I kidnapped you tomorrow, and flew you to an undisclosed foreign civilization how far would you get along in life (you can't get out) if you didn't have someone teach you the customs and language. How safe would you feel? Let's say a normal greeting is a football tackle. Would you feel a little confused, defensive, or fearful? What if someone stepped in front of the "greeter" stopped them, and started explaining things to you in a way you could understand. Maybe others that are not like you could understand, as well, that you are not accustomed to being greeted like that BUT in time you may learn. Maybe then you wouldn't be put to death for your misunderstanding of the strange customs:)

If you truly would do anything to change your relationship with your dog, give a little training of "that obedience stuff" a try. It's not as trivial or dismissive as others would have you think. It opens worlds and opportunities for your dog that you nor he/her ever thought were possible.

Do you think you fulfill the requirements to be a student or client of Mannerly Mutts Dog Training, York Maine's Dog Training Resource? Call Maine's Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail for New Hampshire Dog Training, Massachusetts Dog Training, or Maine Dog Training needs at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Responsibility for Canine Companions

(This post was written years ago by me, and I am reissuing it now)

Seems timely today to talk about human responsibility to canines vs needs of canines. Also human responsibility to humans.

I love all dogs. I love behaviorally challenged dogs, "bomb proof" dogs, sick dogs, healthy dogs, old dogs, puppies, smart dogs, not so smart dogs, hunting dogs, guarding dogs, small dogs, big dogs, long haired dogs, and short haired dogs. A strength and a weakness that I have is a fondness for all things dog. Many other humans share this trait with me. Many organizations share this trait with me.

Whether it is a owner, rescue, trainer, family member, veterinarian, boarding kennel, or neighbor there is something in addition to the responsibility to our dogs that is our primary responsibility. That responsibility is to ensure the safety of other living things around us as well as our canine companions. If we can not do that, there are some tough choices that need to be made. They are not fun, they are not cool, and most of all they are not easy. Sometimes they are the right thing to do. Sometimes they need to be done because the canine owner has not met the dogs needs responsibility, and is not going to in the future.

A posting on a forum by a family member gave me the inspiration for this article today on the chain of transfer in ownership or stewardship of a canine, and the responsibilities that come within each differing perspective.

BREEDERS: It's a career that I would never be able to consider. Sure, it seems simple and fun enough. Who doesn't like being surrounded by puppies? In fact, I am pretty sure that breeders, who are responsible, love what they do. First of all, they need to research and select the lines that they feel will bring healthy and stable temperament in the dogs into the world for the purpose for which they are breeding. (working, pet, hunting, living with children, ET) They are responsible for those dogs they select and own to meet their needs, not only during times they are producing, but for always. During the time of pregnancy and afterward, they need to be knowledgeable of the things they need to do to keep everyone healthy and happy. When the puppies are ready to go to their new homes, they are responsible for matching those homes up for success to the best of their ability. Responsible breedersusually have a clause that if for any reason that dog does not work out, they are to be returned to the breeder. (or at least report to the breeder for conformation that decisions after that are okay)

Many times not all puppies in a litter are able to or do survive due to no one's fault. It's the breeders responsibility to monitor this, and make some very painful decisions. When puppies are raised by a responsible breeder, a part of that breeder's heart is transferred over with the ownership of that puppy.

RESCUES: A responsible rescue will try to find out if there is a way to keep that dog in it's home. For instance, is it just the stress of a situation OR the owner just at a loss about what to do? After that, if the breeder is known, it's the rescues responsibility to suggest to the owner that they need to contact the breeder initially or the rescue allowed to contact the breeder themselves.

Once all that is sorted out, the next thing most rescues consider is the ability to take in and re home this dog. Depending on funding and paid staff, the success rate of this can vary widely. Rescues do what they can do to deal with difficult situations. Sometimes they may need to euthanize the dog themselves due to severe illness or behavioral issues. Rescues generally have resources available for many issues that require veterinary assistance, but there are times that a dog is beyond any kind of help for pain, and therefore it's a kindness to let them go unto an existence without pain.

Sometimes a rescue may know that they can not find a home for the dog (due to serious behavioral issues) OR they do not feel confident that there won't be an injury given the potential owner pool that they have to deal with. Rescues have these painful decisions to deal with as well. However, they do have a responsibility to the public to keep everyone safe.

That being said, rescues have the responsibility to match up (as well as possible) human and canine team combinations. Sometimes due to lack of funds and paid staff, this ends up simply being a purchase transaction for dogs that have passed temperament tests, so that less of a matching and application process is done.

A dog that goes onto a home to bite family members or others, and the problem can't be solved, does not have good prospects for the future. A responsible rescue will not again pass this dog on, unless they have the solution or better home for the dog in the future. Most are not willing to risk the liability, and I can't blame them. It's not only liability to the outside world, but to their shelter staff as well. Many of the rescue members will be unpaid volunteers.

A rescue organization's first responsibility is to the living things around them as well as dogs needing homes.

ADULT OWNERS: New owners of dogs or puppies are responsible to meet their needs immediately, and this includes training needs. Too many people do not train, this later causes an episode that they are not happy with. Many owners only want to train to treat the symptom AFTER something or someone has been injured. As a trainer, this is the common training scenario I hear over and over again. They didn't need to train before because their dog was as good as gold, but then their dog suddenly and without warning bit the cat that raced across the yard.

Adult owners of dogs are responsible first and foremost for the safety of every living thing around them. If they are in a period of time where this is being worked on but not yet controlled, then safety measures and equipment needs to be used correctly (along with supervision and common sense) to ensure that everyone is safe.

Years ago, I heard of a lab that used to run in the mornings with all the other dogs on the beach. His owner did no training. One day at home, a jogger jogged by who had never been on their street before or near their yard. The dog raced after and bit the jogger (could have been prey or protective drive), and the owners really had no clue that something like this could have been prevented with training and responsibility. Stuff happens sometimes, sure, and it's hard to control every little thing in life. However, the one main thing that was missing was any kind of language between dog and owner which might have said "hey, no, come back here" with a simple "COME!!!". That is a simple and well trained come. Unfortunately, the lab was put to sleep as a dangerous dog (making me think this was not the only incident).

Even more horrifying is that this jogger was bitten. How horrible for him!! These things can be very much improved upon in decreased numbers by owners training their dogs. The dogs do not know, have not been shown, and have no way of being communicated with when the "unknown event" occurs. The jogger also does not deserve to be bitten. Most likely, he will not be thinking kindly of the next dog.


MINOR OWNERS: Children can not be held responsible for adult responsibilities. However, adult owners can teach their children proper ways of interacting with their dog, approved ways of interacting with their dogs, and let them know before hand the inappropriate ways of interacting with dogs. Adult owners are first and foremost responsible for their children's (and any other child's) safety.

FAMILY MEMBERS OUTSIDE IMMEDIATE: The adult owners of canines need to be responsible for the safety of family members. Some family members will listen to directions like "just don't let yourself into my home without knocking" or "don't encourage the dog to jump". If a family member can't or won't comply with that, it's the adult owner's responsibility to not endanger their canine by putting them in that position.

DOG TRAINERS: My profession is first and foremost responsible for safety. I often take on behaviorally challenged dogs, but really try to screen out those owners who will not follow directions OR have too much of a learning curve vs their dog's specific problem (if aggression based, of course). To those owners that I can not help, I do give out as much information as I can. I can't make them be responsible however, or want to do the work. That's the most frustrating thing being a dog trainer.

During the training sessions, it's my responsibility to break everything down and teach it in an understandable manner. The dog trainer will also be looking for any undiscovered issues that may be brimming below the surface, and giving their take on the situation and suggestions for resolution.

After training happens, it's the trainers responsibility to document how it went, and also communicate to the owners how they did, and if there remain any issues at hand. The trainer will frequently have also bonded with the dog, but it's our responsibility to send everyone home with safety in mind first and foremost.

VETERINARIANS: Veterinarians are responsible for medical issues regarding your dog, and doing the best in their ability to recommend steps that will keep your dog healthy and happy. Behaviorally, they are relied on to uncover any physical components of behavioral issues.

If you ever have a veterinarian that will not run tests after your dog has shown a departure from their regular personality, it's time to find a new vet. Sometimes vets are expediting their decision because they know most people won't put the work into their dog after a behavior is on it's way to being a "learned behavior". However, the person really responsible for making THAT decision is the owner of the dog, and the veterinarian should be responsible for discussing things that can affect behavior and the options ONLY. The human owner is the only one who knows what their capability and responsibility level will be.

Just some things to think of in the exchange of responsibility for our canine companions. I wish I could go more into detail that this article deserves today. Instead, I may break this into pieces and go into more depth in the future.

Call Mannerly Mutts Dog Training for your Maine Dog Training and New Hampshire Dog Training needs at 207-809-6300. Or E-mail Robin Rubin, Maine Dog Trainer, at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you All Things Brittany for our Versatile Blogger Award!  With this comes the horrifying task of listing seven things about myself.

1. My elbows, thumb and fingers are double jointed.
2. I am about to have my 45th birthday!!
3. I recently have gone on a successful weight loss campaign, but only after my scale was actually at 199.  I am now 169.
4. My dog, Leon, is such a good boy, and shows well in public, but in private he can be a huge brat .
5. I wish I had more energy on a daily basis.
6. Halloween is my very favorite holiday.
7. Two of my little toes on one foot are the same size.

I am nominating the following for the Versatile Blogger Award:

Today At Applewoods
The Truth About Shock Collars
Mister Rugby Sevens UD
Maine Hunting Dog Owners

Those who receive the Versatile Blogger Award are:1. Asked to pay it forward, if you will. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell your readers seven (7) things about yourself.
3. Give this award to other bloggers you feel are worthy of the award. (Up to 15)
4. Contact those bloggers and let them in on the exciting news! 
http://www.mannerlymutts.com
http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com

A Loss to the Dog Training World

Dick Russell passed away on the morning of January 6th 2011.   I didn't know him at all.   His name, his wisdom, his love of dogs, and creativity in finding balanced, gentle, and clear ways to train dogs are familiar to me in his articles, the articles of others, and to my early introduction to dog training.  Mr Russell had the attention of many other well respected trainers.

In celebration of his contributions to the dog training world, I would like to link to some gems of his and other trainers, who credit him, in the form of articles:

• Yielding
• Paper Plate Recalls
• Yielding for Kids
• Teaching Come
• Large Field Socialization (LFS)
• Dog Parks Pros and Cons
• Dog Park Etiquette
• Training Days

Enjoy, these articles are treasures.   His life was a testament to his love of dogs.   I think his socialization gallery can show what is obvious:

• Gallery I
• Gallery II
• Gallery III
• Gallery IV

I think the above gallery sums up why many us love dogs and being with our dogs.   This is what being a dog should be all about as often as possible.

http://www.mannerlymutts.com
http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com
mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

A Very Special Service Dog Has Left the Building

Wrap, service and demo dog of Margot Woods, died this week. Some really nice stories about her are being shared on Margot's blog about her next service dog, Sanity.

http://sanityshome.blogspot.com/2009/04/remembering-wrap.html

There are dog trainers and dogs that make a mark on the world, that I hope will never be forgotten.

Margot is disabled and trains service dogs for herself as well as teaches others how to do it:)

Birthday Parties By Robin Bengston!

Robin (cool name huh?) Bengston is a trainer that I correspond with from time to time. I think she is really cool, and recently she shared some birthday party work that she and her canine partners do:) Enjoy!