Cindy Bruckart

I recently heard someone say that they weren’t interested in training dog, but rather in living with dogs.  They mentioned lifestyle and relationship as things separate from dog training.  My reaction was to cock my head at the statement, chuckle, feel confused, then say to myself, “But they can’t be separated.”

To try and separate living with dogs from training dogs is like…hmmm…trying to separate living with children and raising/teaching children.  It can’t be done.  If you live with a child, you are teaching them things constantly, whether you intend to or not.  It works the same with dogs.

This can be a serious issue, as it is often the lessons we DON’T intend to teach that cause us the biggest problems!  It’s these same unintended, nearly unconscious lessons that land so very many dogs in shelters.

As I launch my new podcast radio show, I have to tell you that I agonized over a name.  I wanted something that would both inform potential listeners of the subject matter, while making a statement about my philosophy.  Of course, one has to accomplish that while paying attention to uniqueness and availability.  It’s a tough job.

My podcast is about dog training for the average pet dog owner and will be infused with my deep respect for the animals I share my life with.  I wanted to veer away from the “pack leader” mentality and leave behind the current trend of setting dogs up as a force to be triumphed over.

After spending a lot of time thinking about words, I remembered how often I’d been told to treat fellow trainers (of like or un-like minds) with “positive regard”.  Hmmm.  Regard…Rover.

With all the arguing between trainers, misinformation from various sources and total confusion of the dog owning public, I was so excited to find some level-headed, educational and easy to understand material from a highly reputable source on the subject of dominance and alternatives for dog training.

Dr. Sophia Yin has written a great webpage that explains dominance in depth, including a quiz you can take to test your understanding of the definition of dominance. Also, you’ll find video clips of The Dog Whisperer with commentary to help you understand what’s actually going on, from a professional point of view. Dr. Yin goes on to give great advice on how to sift through the information on such TV shows and find the good stuff worth using.

I think this page is a must read for all trainers, veterinarians, vet techs, groomers, dog owners, dog admirers, shelter workers and anyone else who is ever in contact with dogs and/or their people!

You’ve got two picnic tables full of food, six kids running around the yard with popsicles, drumsticks and squealing laughter, grandma with her walker, your nephew with his skateboard and your brother in law with sunglasses, a beard, a hat and a few too many drinks in him. This is not the time to attempt to teach your dog, for the first time, about table manners, children, walkers, skateboards and drunk people with sunglasses, hats and beards!

The time to train is BEFORE the desired behavior is critical. It’s no different with recall, sitting, staying or walking nicely on leash. If you wait until it’s absolutely crucial that your dog behaves correctly without error, you and your dog will both be frustrated.