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Over the past few months I have been very busy testifying in court as an expert in police dog issues. I want to thank all those who have been so flexible in their schedules to work around my court schedule.

Today as I worked with a lady and her dog in a local park that required dogs to be on a leash here came a lady and her three very large dogs without a leash and straight toward us. She allowed one of her dogs to come to us. We are all lucky neither of the dogs who were strangers were aggressive. The lady I was working with was able to recall her dog that was on a long leash and put it in the sit-stay beside us. The other lady called and called until the dog decided it wanted to leave.

Sadly we don’t know how dogs are going to react to strange dogs. It would be nice if we all practiced a little more safety. Don’t know how many of you have ever had to break up a dog fight, or have been bitten by a large dog. Neither is fun. Let’s allow our dogs to enjoy the outdoors in a safe manner.  Remember dogs won’t have manners if the owners don’t.  

“In effect, no activity offers more potential benefit for enhancing the human-dog bond and improving the dog’s quality of life than training” Dr. Steven R. Lindsay

I just got in “Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training -proceedures and protocols” by Dr. Steven R. Lindsay. As I read it I find nothing new about behavior modification that I have not studied in the past. What is great about the book so far is it reinforces what I have learned through the study of psychology, and experienced as a trainer.

So far it stresses training and more training as a part of building a bond between the dog and its owner.

HI Steve,  I just wanted to give you an encouraging report. I have been reading “The Dog Who Loved Too much”, and I bought the muzzles. (They actually fit!)  Brendon, (the black lab mix) really fought it for a while, even getting it off a couple of times. I finally figured out how to place the buckle to keep it snug. Every time he treid to get it off, I told him to sit and I would pet him on the chest. I had to do this about 8 times, but then he quit struggling. 

Precious, (gold pit bull mix who I think started the attack on our white dog) didn’t take long at all. As I walked around with them and observed, they both became subservient to me. I guess that’s the correct word. They minded every time I called them when they got tho the property line. They even layed in the grass instead of fighting/playing. I realize they need to exercise more, so I’m hoping to separate them and play with them, so they can’t fight over attention from me.  Brendon and precious were on the deck when I noticed some deer on the neighbor’s property. I told them to stay, and Brendon just couldn’t resist, but he gave up the chase realizing his power was taken away with the muzzle. I didn’t speak harshly to him, I just made him go back in the dog run. He had to stay there by himself while I spent some time with Precious. I rewarded her with a dog bone, (muzzle off) then took her back to the dog run. I made their bowls of food and fed Precious first (dominant one?), then I set brendon’s food down away from her. I took the muzzle off and he ate………and for the first time he just ate his food and didn’t try to keep her from eating! 

I also noticed that Brendon’s tail was down while wagging. Not in the scorpion stance.  I have a place for Precious to go, as soon as my daughter’s fiance’ finds a home to rent……he is taking her. 

Brendon still needs a home. We have a possibility, but not definite. He is much better when he is not around Precious….but now I’m sensing something different. He really did obey quickly until the deer got the best of him, and I know it will take a little time. Probably need a shock collar for him! Actually would feel better if both did until I have the possible blending to make the two packs one again, and even then I think I’ll use muzzles. I did introduce Precuius in the house with the white dog, who quit barking when I told her to, and they had a typical “dog intro”. Precious did not show any aggression (muzzle on).  Thank you for all you have told me, and for telling me about the book. Maybe you can come see Brendon again in a couple of weeks. Maybe he will be police material, after all. 

darlene 

Aggression contrary to what is portrayed in TV is never cured. Dogs do not always make this nice friendly pack without confrontation. The triggers to aggression can vary from fear, prey, territory, maternal, dominate or anti social, to learned. What is often not  understoodd about aggression is the behavior is self reinforcing. Behaviors that are reinforcing will repeat themselves. It is extremely difficult to use pure positive when addression aggression. On the other hand if negaitve is not used correctly and fairly the aggression can worsten and become directed at the handler.

Dogs with overt aggressive traits may never be able to just go and play with strange dogs. It may never allow strangers to pet it. However it can learn it must tolerate their presence and not show aggression towards them. The reason dogs cannot be trusted after showing aggressive acts is something known as spontaneous recovery

Hello Steve,

Bulle Shah is my 18-month-old male mostly Malamute. I say mostly because the breeder I bought him from said his father was maybe 1/8 wolf. As far as I can tell, his behavior is mostly Malamute-like: stubborn, needs a lot of stimulation, very friendly and social, and a digger and puller. He has a sweet nature and seems quite devoted to me and my husband.  

His very basic commands are pretty good, but he doesn’t reliably come when called; he pulls the leash while walking (in spite of my pulling up frequently on his choke chain collar); and of late he sometimes takes off while on a walk if he sees a cat or a bird that he might be interested in catching. This is often almost impossible for me to handle. He weighs about 110 lb. (not much less than I), and he’s very strong, so I really need to get him to obey better.  

What kind of a training program do you suggest, and what is your rate schedule?   Looking forward to hearing,

Amie

Amelia Maciszewski, Ph.D.
Ethnomusicologist, sitarist, music educator
9808 San Luis Tr.
Austin, TX 78733 USA
tel. 512 263 2944

After the first session she was emailed and asked on the dog’s progress. Amie replied:

” His heel has improved dramatically, and he seems considerably more cooperative in general. The reliable come needs improvement, though. Your session was remarkable–thank you so much!”

If you are looking for a super qualified great dog trainer look no further than Nicely Trained Dog. My dog Skyler is a King German Shepherd who will probably be over 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh over 150 pounds. Knowing what a huge responsibility he is I put a lot of research into who would be the most qualified person to train us both and found out about Steve. Let me tell you he is great!!! Skyler is 5 months old and heels very well, sits on command, lays down on command, will do the sit stay on and off leash and we are working on him sitting and staying when other dogs or people walk past. This picture was taken after an off leash 5 mile run in the dog park. There were many other dogs and distractions and Skyler stayed with me for the entire run!

As I was surfing the channels the other evening I paused on a dog training show. The trainer was working with a dog and expressed to the people about the energy the dog senses from you. This is not a uncommom belief for the uninformed. What he was trying to describe is know in behavior as “Clever Hans.”  There are no mysticial fields of energy you project to your dog.

Over the past few years pet dog trainers have promoted the concept of no compulsion what so ever in their training. After thirty plus years of training dogs that must respond to commands regardless of the circumstances the belief a dog can learn to be obedient without the use of any compulsion is not accurate.