Dogs, Training, and a Different View

I have been extremely lucky during my life to be able to do that which I love most--work with dogs. I have met, worked, and associated with some incredibly talented true dog-people, both here and abroad. Most people refer to them as "trainers", but the amount of communication, knowledge, and rapport they share with dogs sets them head-and-shoulders above mere, mortal trainers and I prefer to call them "true dog handlers."

I returned to general dog obedience training, after a hiatus of about four years, at the request of a local veterinarian. I am pleased, and thankful, that all vets in my area, and many outside of it, are impressed by my training results and refer dogs to me. This tells me they see a distinct improvement in the dog/owner relationship of those they refer to me. That, for me, is what is important. I began this web site at the behest of all my clients, many of whom have become good, personal friends. I don't advertise as I work strictly by word-of-mouth, but they insisted that the way I train was "...So different, clear, "dog-friendly" and instructive for owners..." and every one of them had seen "...By the end of the first class an immediate difference in the dog-both attitude and behavior..." that I needed a web page so that others could learn "...This much different, but better way to train owners and dogs." I built the first site. Nothing fancy, nothing great. I have little knowledge or skill in web page building. But times have changed, I have seen a growth in day clinics and dog camps and a client, in thanks for what I have done for his dog, donated his considerable skills, and almost nonexistent time, to build this new site. I thank him. I think he did a wonderful job, hope you like it as much as I do.

I'm going to discuss the differences in the way I train throughout this work. Those who know me understand I have some "soapboxes" when it comes to dogs and issues pertaining to them. I want more people to understand that there is no great mystery, as far as I'm concerned, to training dogs. There are different abilities and skill levels with each person encountered, yes. But, the biggest hindrance to training that I see today, is that most trainers cannot, or will not, explain to an owner, so that he/she has a greater grasp of what is going on, the how, when, where and why of what is happening with each dog and its training. Owners are not insensitive to their dogs and want to do their best for the companions they love so much. People have, by virtue of their concerns, forced some good changes on the dog industry. But, as long as owners remain in the dark as to how things work from the dog's perspective, they will continue to make mistakes, be unable to adjust to changes within the developing dog and immediate environment in which they are working. Owners will also experience, sometimes, unreasonable expectations and frustrations. I feel fortunate that I have been able to work with so many different, unique dogs--personal pets, shelter and rescue dogs--running the gamut frpm little, to severe, behavior and obedience problems. I had a large group of the rescued "Camp Collie" dogs attend class (they had made national news) and was extremely pleased to see the immense caring, concern and desire to do the best for the dogs that all the owners evidenced. It was immensely satisfying to be able to explain to owners how their dogs were thinking and feeling, put both dogs and owners at ease, and watch the dogs turn from hesitancy and outright fear, to joy and trust. I was amused to watch the owners' disbelief as, within the first two hours, we had almost all the dogs off-leash and calmly working commands for which the dogs had no vocabulary, simply because the owners were being educated and their communication skills improving with direction.  Susan Overfield

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