Therapy Dogs

Dog lovers and especially an individual's love for their own dog, I'm sure at some point has considered getting their dog a therapy jacket so they can take their dog with them everywhere they go. I admit I've wished I could take my dog with my everywhere and wondered if there's any disabilities I could conjure up. But, in all honesty, don't do it. It's illegal. ha ha

With that being said, as a dog trainer, I am going to look into becoming a therapy dog trainer. The thing I love most about dog training is how helpful it is for the owner. Sometimes the dog isn't the problem at all. Some owners simply don't know how to handle a dog, what to do with their particular breed, and they certainly don't understand the way a dog's mind works. I love being the one who comes into a home with wild, disobedient dogs and showing the owners how they can be the alpha dog of their pack, as well as teaching them how their dog can work for them, not against them.

I think it is because of this that I'm interested in therapy dogs. Thinking about someone with an actual disability in need of man's best friend is exactly what I'm here for. I would get to spend a lot of time with my favorite breeds of dogs (mostly), and best of all re-homing those dogs with someone who is really in need.

You may contact me for more info on training or getting a therapy dog.

Hank The Cow Dog

I got to work with a real live version of "Hank, The Cow Dog" today. Coincidence that those were my favorite books growing up as a child. Turns out, they were the favorites of another family too. Fortunately, a family in need of dog training.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find Hank's owners were extremely honest about their dog's behavior. He was exactly as obedient as they said he would be. What a great pup he is! I haven't met a dog, yet, who wasn't in need of basic meet and greet protocol when a guest arrives. But, Hank was very in-tune to his masters and it didn't take him long to settle down. I could even sit on the floor to write my notes with out being trampled on.

What a blessing it was to work with someone who actually KNEW their dog. So many people think they have such great insight to their dog and their dog's behavior when in fact, as a trainer, I see they really can't control their dog at all.

I felt great about my training session with Hank today. As any trainer I'm sure would agree, it's the owner that makes the session good or bad. And the owners I worked with today had a real grasp on their dog's personality, character traits, and behaviors. They were extremely willing to do what I told them needed to be done. I almost felt like I didn't do enough work to earn my paycheck.

Let this be a note to all you owners out there who are seeking a dog trainer. The dog trainer (if you find a good one) knows best. Dog trainers are usually knowledgeable on dog breeds and dog behaviors. So, please, just listen to what they have to say. Apply it to your dog, and you'll be living "The Good Dog Way of Life" before you know it.