DSD Reader Report From Ireland
Editor's Note: DSD reader, Joe Kelly, recently attended Dr. Ian Dunbar's 3-day workshop at Dog Training Ireland and asked if he could submit a blog to share his experiences... here it is:
A couple of weekends ago, I attended an outstanding seminar by Dr. Ian Dunbar. Before the seminar, I didn’t know much about Dr.Dunbar apart from what my dog trainer Alison Bush (www.happierhoundsdogtraining.com) had told me and a few videos on YouTube. Alison Bush introduced me to positive ways of training. I never liked or used punishing methods and was overjoyed when I discovered positive training methods. Since I got Shelly my Lovely Tri-Colour Collie, I have been determined to be the best dog trainer I can be and help dogs live happier lives.
My eyes were opened at Dr. Dunbar’s 3-Day Reliability & Games Workshop at Dog Training Ireland. The amount of information given was amazing. It was a fun day for owners and dogs. Dr. Dunbar encouraged everybody to work with their dogs and gave lots of great feedback on how to improve. The workshop had such a wide variety in people’s dog skills _ from new dog owners to experienced trainers, but Dr. Dunbar had something for everybody. He is a man at the very top of his field, who hasn’t got an ego problem and who doesn’t say that it’s “his way or the highway” like so many other dog trainers out there. He has a great way with people and dogs alike. For a guy like me — just starting on my dog training journey — the workshop fuelled the fire in my heart.
The people at the seminar were very nice too. I meet some amazing people there. Some of them dog trainers and some of them pet dog owners. I was amazed at some of the dogs there. Like a lovely Border Collie called Sage, owned and trained by Sue McCabe (www.muttamorphosis.co.uk). Sage was outstanding and the focus he had on Sue was awesome. Sue is a great trainer and if you live in her area I would recommend that you take your dog or puppy to her. I worked in the seminar with another amazing trainer — Kim Stoklasa and Woodie her Jack Russell — the best trained Jack Russell ever. Woodie loves her dearly and is so well trained I am more than a little jealous. Kim has a load of knowledge and is a lovely person. She lives in London; so if you have a dog in need of training, look her up. You won’t be disappointed. There was also lovely pet dog owner called John Kearns with his Springer Spaniel Jess. I have never seen a dog so focused on a man before. He and his dog had a super bond together. John also wants to become a dog trainer but looking at his dog Jess, you would think he already is a dog training professional because of the ability of his dog.
All in all the workshop was an outstanding event and am very happy that I was part of it. I would like to thank all the new friends I made — dogs and humans alike. And I would like to thank Dog Training Ireland for arranging for Dr. Dunbar to come back to Ireland. Thank you too, Dr.Dunbar for coming to Ireland. We hope too see you again. And a special thanks to my good friend and super dog trainer, Alison Bush for helping me so much in dog training and for telling me about Ian Dunbar. Positive Dog training methods are the way to go.
