Free Dog Training Advice from Paul Owens,
The Original Dog Whisperer


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Training is vital to a long & happy association with your dog.

		A well-trained dog is by far a happier, safer and healthier dog! Why? For one thing, because a trained dog requires fewer restrictions. The more reliable the dog, the more freedom he is given, the more attention he gets, and the more enjoyable the relationships he has with everyone. There is a direct link in how we interact with our dogs and how we treat each other. Positive dog training not only serves to strengthen the bond between you and your dog, the improved communication fosters and promotes understanding, empathy and patience with our friends, family and everyone we meet. Your dog's behavior is directly affected by three things: genetics, early socialization, and the environment. And we are the ones who control our dog's environment to a tremendous degree. We control access to our dog's food, play, affection, getting to for walks and rides, and so much more.

With all that in mind, there are 9 Ingredients that both dogs and humans need to foster a happy, healthy safe environment. If any of these ingredients are lacking in either quality or quantity, our behavior is affected. I talk more about these ingredients in my books, but to help give a bird's-eye view, here they are: Food (diet), Play, Socialization, Quiet Time, Exercise, Employment, Rest, Training (discipline and education), Health Care. If you are having a problem with your dog's behavior, first take a look at whether any of these ingredients need addressing. To help with the training aspect, here are some questions others have asked and my answers. Obviously, these are general in nature. I always recommend hiring a professional dog trainer (positive dog training only of course). He or she can evaluate your specific problem and come up with a behavior modification program that directly addresses your situation. Very best wishes! Paul

P.S.: No dog-training method should ever be used if it conflicts with how you feel about your dog or how he should be treated. And no advice should ever be heeded if it supersedes your own common sense and intuition.

PAUL'S DOG TRAINING "SUCCESS TRIANGLE"

1. Environment:
Set up a safe environment with no distractions where the dog can learn to be successful.

2. Positive Associations:
Use classical conditioning to associate a dog's life experiences with things he likes, such as food treats and fun.

3. Positive Reinforcements:
Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog to do what you want him to do instead of what you want him to stop doing. Positive dog training is all about correcting your dog's behavior, not correcting your dog.

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BACKGROUND: UNDERSTANDING DOG WHISPERING

A bit of controversy has swirled as the term “Dog Whisperer” has been used by a number of dog trainers around the globe. Although non-force animal training methods have been around for many decades, the term dog whisperer was popularized in the early 1990s, as an offshoot of horse whispering. (My book appeared in 1999). As a result, gone were the uses of choke, prong and shock collars & the aversive training methods of physical punishment... ...No longer were dogs treated with “tough love” by being hit, jerked, shocked and pinned to the ground. Frightened dogs were no longer physically forced into situations they were afraid of and all these were replaced with kindness and compassion. As we use the term, dog whispering is more about educating ourselves about dogs and their behavior than it is about educating or training dogs, although that is certainly an important aspect. Non-force dog whispering helps us develop our empathy and our understanding, making us more humane and more human. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If peace is our goal, then our means must be peaceful.”		A Message from Paul Owens, The Original Dog Whisperer:



TV's Dog Whisperer Q: Are you involved with the series called "The Dog Whisperer" that’s on television? A Bone to Pick? Q: I've never seen Cesar Millan of National Geographic's program,"The Dog Whisperer”, use inappropriate or violent techniques with animals - so why are you distancing yourself from him? The Dominance Myth in Dog Training Q. Is it true that a person needs to be dominant in their relationship with their dog so he’ll obey them?