From A Dog's Eye View

Canine Companions is one of the premier service dog organizations in the United States. They provide dogs to people with disabilities free of charge. One of the clients who applied for a Canine Companions service dog is Jim Turner. Jim has a hearing dog named Koogle, who helps him navigate his daily life with confidence and independence. I had the privilege of talking to Jim with Koogle by his side, and saw first hand how Koogle assists Jim as his link to the world of sound.

Jim was diagnosed with bilateral neurosensory hearing loss during a company physical exam when he was in his forties. His wife, Kathleen, thought he had selective hearing and was sometimes ignoring her. It is a hereditary condition which worsens over time. Since then, he has been wearing hearing aids. Jim’s hearing challenges are defined by the limitations of not being able to hear the upper half of the frequency range that humans normally hear. Smoke detectors, doorbells, microwave alarms are all very challenging for Jim because even his hearing aids do not pick up that frequency. Also, when Jim is in a crowd of people, it is difficult to hear, especially when his name is being called amongst all that background noise.

Jim and Kathleen were familiar with Canine Companions because they were already puppy raisers for the organization. Volunteers like Jim and his wife, agree to raise the puppies provided to them by selected breeders from 8 weeks to 16-18 months old until they go on to professional training. (Please refer to my previous post with Staicey Sholtz dated 8/5/25 for more details about puppy raisers).

Jim was being encouraged by his close friends in the Canine Companions community to get a service dog. He didn’t feel that his hearing loss was that bad to warrant one. He wanted the service dogs to be reserved for people who were deaf. An event in his life changed his mind. One day, his wife was working in the kitchen and hurt herself. She was bleeding and calling Jim for help. Jim was only 10 feet away in another room and had no clue he was being called. He didn’t hear her pleas for help. That day he applied for a service dog.

Jim filled out an application online at Canine Companions’ website: canine.org. Applicants are prompted to describe their disability and how they could benefit from a service dog. The organization then reaches out to them for an initial interview. There is a space to write about your lifestyle - what your interests are, if you are an active or sedentary person. In Jim’s case, he had to provide a medical recommendation from his audiologist about hearing limitations. Canine Companions wants to ensure that the request is not only warranted, but also to match up the right dog with each applicant. This entire process can take up to two years.

Jim is a retired geologist. He had an illustrious career in the oil and gas industry and was part of a team who located oil and gas under ground. The first day of Jim’s retirement, at age 63, was the day he started his team training with Koogle. It was meant to be!

Part of the process of getting a service dog from Canine Companions is to go to one of their training facilities to be matched up with your personal service dog. At the time, Jim and Kathleen were living in Houston, Texas. The closest training facility was located in Oceanside, California. This is where he completed his two week team training, referred to as “rotations”. There were 7 applicants and 8 dogs. All of the applicants practiced handling each one of the dogs. The professional trainers who spend 6 months with these dogs make their observations and match up the best dog for each applicant. The “extra” dog remains at the training facility and is the first one in the next rotation to be matched up with the next group of applicants. After several days, Jim was matched with Koogle. Jim said it was like magic how accurately the teams were put together so perfectly.

Koogle is a six year old Labrador Retriever Cross. His mother is 50% Lab/50% Golden Retriever and his father is 100% Lab. Canine Companions select breeders who must meet certain standards. Koogle’s breeder was the caretaker of Koogle’s mother and had the privilege of naming one of the puppies in the litter. Canine Companions have restrictions for naming the puppies so that the names are appropriate and not repetitive. Koogle’s breeder/caretaker’s maiden name was Koogle. What a great way to honor her late father.

During Jim’s two week stay at the training facility, he learned many cues that were taught to Koogle. The trainers tailored certain cues according to Jim’s hearing loss needs. He learned protocols for socializing Koogle such as making sure Koogle wears his Canine Companions vest and what he should do when approached by people who want to greet Koogle. The first six months, Jim was to be the only person to give Koogle food. He was instructed to notify close friends and relatives about how important the first six months were and to abide by Jim’s rules so as to not disrupt any training Koogle had received up to this point. Canine Companions wants to assure that the bonding between their client and the dog remains intact.

The Americans With Disabilities Act does not require any labeling or vests for service dogs. Canine Companions require their dogs to wear a vest which you will see in some of the pictures below. Wearing a vest helps Jim notify the public that Koogle is a service dog. He found it useful to have “Please Ask To Pet” sewn on to it. Like most dogs, Koogle loves people and would love to greet everybody he meets. However, every time he says hello to people, he is no longer working for Jim during that interaction. It is out of respect for the handler of any dog, let alone a service dog, that they be asked first to greet their dog.

Koogle was trained to perform many different tasks to assist Jim in his everyday life. When he hears an alarm, a doorbell, or Jim’s name being called, he is to find Jim, nudge him with his nose, Jim tells him, “Good, Koogle what?”and Koogle takes him to where the sound is. However, if it is a smoke alarm, Koogle will still nudge Jim, but instead of taking him to the noise, he lays down. So, whenever Jim sees Koogle lay down after being nudged, he knows to get out of the building they are in.

Koogle was also trained to do standard service dog tasks such as turning on and off lights and opening and closing drawers. He can even jump up and push the accessibility button to open doors in public places.

One intangible benefit that Jim did not expect to experience with a hearing dog was the acceptance of having a hearing disability. For example, Koogle gives Jim the confidence he needs when trying to have a conversation with someone in a crowded environment. Background noise impedes the ability to hear well. He is more apt to tell a stranger to repeat themselves because he has a hearing disability when Koogle is by his side.

Jim’s wife was very excited to have a hearing dog in the house so she didn’t feel she always had to be Jim’s ears. Koogle relieves her of knowing that when she is not with Jim, the dog can alert him, if needed. Even something as simple as dropping his keys and not hearing that sound, Koogle can stop Jim by nudging him and taking him to where he heard the keys drop. This gives his wife a lot of reassurance that he will manage well when going out of the house.

Jim believes there are two aspects to being a service dog. One is the ability to perform the tasks they were trained to do as demonstrated in the video above. That’s the easy part! The other part is that the dogs need to be calm and manageable in public. This is attributed to the puppy raisers who properly socialize them while they are in their care. The other part of being calm is the temperament of the dog. This speaks to the breeding of these dogs. For example, if a dog is too hyper or has a high prey drive, Canine Companions breeders will not breed that dog.

In both podcast videos of Staicey Sholtz and Jim Turner, their dogs remained laying down until they were called to do a task. Although the dogs look like they are sleeping, they always have an ear out for noises that change in their environment or that could possibly harm them. This auditory instinct allows them to differentiate between familiar voices and changes in the intensity of those voices which will wake them up in case they need to act on them. Their dogs are trained to be ready for action as soon as they hear their name being called.

Jim meets people out in public who either have service dogs they paid a lot of money for, or who tried to train their own dog only to find out that it didn’t work out for numerous reasons. Sadly, there is plenty of fraud in the service dog field. Organizations will claim they can train your dog to become a service dog, but are not qualified to do so. They also do not have the standards required to be an effective service dog. Canine Companions is a well known and trusted service dog organization yielding qualified dogs and plenty of satisfied clients.

There is so much that goes into training service dogs above and beyond just training the standard tasks. If a dog is fearful or even mildly aggressive with certain triggers, this can present problems. Professional trainers can work on these issues with the dogs, but it can slow down the timeline required to place these dogs with applicants. My dog, Ebi, could make a great service dog, but she is too big and too hairy! Also, I have come across some people who are afraid to meet her because of her size, or they are cautious because they don’t know what breed she is.

Labs are a great size and can fit under tables at restaurants or places of business. They don’t drool, and have a very inviting look. They are famous for being friendly dogs. They do shed but their fur is not long and fluffy like a Golden Retriever’s. Since service dogs are allowed anywhere that humans are except in sterile environments, this is very important.

Koogle is 6 years old and will work for Jim until he retires around 10 years old. Canine Companions requests their clients to make out a retirement plan for their dogs when they reach 8 years old. If the dog is showing signs of slowing down or having difficulty with performing their tasks, it may be time for retiring the dog. However, there are some clients who have their dog work almost right up to the day they pass. As long as the quality of life remains intact and the dog is happy performing their tasks, this can be an option.

Since it can take up to two years to apply for and get a dog from Canine Companions, it is recommended to submit the application for a “successor dog” two years prior to retirement. Jim plans to apply for his next dog when Koogle turns 8 years old. This way, by the time he gets him/her, Koogle will be 10 and can enjoy his senior years just being a dog. It will be strange for Jim having a new hearing dog while knowing that Koogle is still with him.

Currently, Jim and his wife are raising a puppy for Canine Companions named 50. This name was chosen to commemorate 50 years of providing dogs to those in need. They also have another dog that was a professional dog training school dropout with the organization named Alex Seven. All three dogs live harmoniously in the same house and provide lots of playtime and companionship during Koogle’s free time.

September is National Service Dog month, Jim and Koogle are big Cleveland Guardians fans. On September 8, 2025, the Guardians will host “Bark in the Park”. Canine Companions has made arrangements with other MLB teams to participate in events to raise awareness and funds.

I know you will want more information about Canine Companions, so please visit their website: canine.org.

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Canine Companions, formerly Canine Companions for Independence, is the oldest and largest service dog organization in the United States. It was formed in 1975 and is credited with starting the concept of the modern service dog that we are familiar with today. They attend to over 65 different types of physical and cognitive disabilities including autism, hearing loss, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, POTS, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and debilitating arthritis. They do not train dogs for the blind or for people who need to be alerted for medical conditions such as seizures and low blood sugar levels. Canine Companions provides their own breeders, puppy raisers and professional trainers with the end goal of placing the right dog with the right person in need.

Since Canine Companions’ inception, 8,000 dogs have been placed nationwide. Currently, approximately 400 dogs are placed annually, of which 50 are in Ohio. The need for these highly trained dogs far exceeds the supply. Canine Companions’ longterm goal is to decrease the current two year waiting list by increasing the amount of puppies born as well as volunteer puppy raisers.

There are many ways that distinguish Canine Companions from other service dog organizations, but the main feature is that these highly trained dogs are provided at no cost to the person in need. Canine Companions exists solely on donations. Please access their website: canine.org to read the stories of the celebrities who have generously donated their time and money to the organization. You can also read many heartwarming personal stories about how these dogs have helped people live their daily lives more independently.

One very generous donor was Charles Schultz, the late cartoonist and the creator of the comic strip Peanuts, featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Shultz was instrumental in getting Canine Companions off the ground. He donated money to help fund the national campus and current headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA, where he resided the last 30 years of his life. Since he passed away in 2000, his wife and family continue to support the organization.

Canine Companions was founded by Bonnie Bergen. She is credited with inventing the concept of the service dog. Up until then, there were only guide dogs for the visually impaired. While Bonnie was traveling overseas, she saw donkeys assisting people with mobility issues. Her special education background motivated her to help her own students by experimenting with training dogs to assist them. She started with shelter dogs and began training them to pick up things. It was highly successful and rewarding to discover that this could actually be a way to help people with disabilities. Because of her innovative idea and determination, Canine Companions has grown into the thriving service dog organization it is today.

Service dogs are different from therapy dogs in that service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for physically and cognitively challenged individuals. They are paired with an individual in need and live with them in order to assist them to manage their day to day lives with more independence. Service dogs have access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This permits public access anywhere that humans are allowed to go, except where they may compromise a sterile environment. Most importantly, they serve one person only.

Therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks. They are considered a family pet just as service dogs are, but they do not have public access rights. They are able to go to venues that are dog friendly. They are trained and tested to have good manners and are there to provide emotional comfort wherever they go with their handler. Please refer to my June 17 podcast regarding therapy dog training for further details.

My guest on this podcast is Staicey Scholtz. Staicey is a Northern Ohio Leadership Team member and a 15-time volunteer puppy raiser. After the female dogs (referred to as dams) give birth at a Canine Companions approved breeder’s home, the puppies are transferred to volunteer puppy raiser’s homes for 16 to 18 months. Currently, Staicey has a 16 month old Lab/Golden mix, named Rocco the 5th, who hopefully will be ready to go to his professional trainer on August 8, 2025. If he qualifies, he will be trained on specific tasks and hopefully placed with a person in need. Staicey also has a 5 month Lab/Golden named Hammond the 3rd.

Staicey’s motivation for volunteering as a puppy raiser grew out of the desire to help raise future service dogs. She wanted to help those in need live more independently. According to Staicey, service dogs are life changing. Raising the puppies has had a tremendous impact on her. The experience has made her look at her own life and feel blessed that she does not have a disability that would require a service dog. She views what she does as a puppy raiser as a gift to someone in need.

When Staicey is out in public, she sometimes gets comments from people who don’t understand how she can give a dog up after living and caring for them for a year and a half. They think of it as comparable to a death of a pet. Staicey doesn’t view what she does in the same way. The clients who get these dogs love them just as much as she and the professional trainers do. The dogs want to work and are happy doing the jobs they were trained to do. However, she does admit that getting another puppy to fill the gap definitely helps in getting over missing the dog who has finished their stay with her. Hammond will be filling that gap very soon!

The journey of a Canine Companions dog begins and ends as follows:

* Breeder - from birth to 8 weeks old

* Puppy raiser - from 8 weeks old to up to 18 months old

* Professional trainer - from 18 to 24 months

* Forever handler - from 24 months to end of life

Breeding Program

Canine Companions has a state of the art Research and Science Team who discovered that the ideal breed for service dogs involves a combination of Labrador and Golden Retriever. All of the males in the breeding program are 100% Lab. The females can be Lab/Golden crosses and have varied percentages of each in them. They decide which dogs will be best suited for breeding by the time they are old enough to move onto their professional trainers.

If a dog is not marked for breeding, it is either spayed or neutered. They are very careful to breed out any physical and medical defects, so that the failure rate of service dogs due to medical reasons is very low. For example, if a dog’s bite doesn’t align quite right, that dog may not be suitable to carry things in their mouth to their handler. A dog like this will most likely be deemed to be a therapy dog, which will be discussed later.

Volunteer breeders sign up to take care of either the sire (male) or the dam (female). Litters are born in the homes of these volunteers located in California. If a volunteer has a sire, they will get called to meet up with the dam in heat and travel to that location. They drop them off and give them several days to do their magic and then get picked back up again once the dam is no longer in the receptive period of her heat. Caretakers of dams have the option to whelp (assist in the birthing process) the litter in their own home, but are not obliged to do so. If they choose to experience this, there is a Canine Health and Wellness Center near by to assist them with the birthing process or to just support the breeder during this stressful yet exciting event.

When puppies are born in the caretaker’s home, they will be named by a letter of the alphabet which is assigned by headquarters. The breeders will submit 50 names which will be reviewed to make sure there are no other working dogs with the same name. There is a possibility for a donor of $15-$20K to submit a name for a future service dog. In fact, Staicey’s dog Rocco the 5th was named after the owner of Fahrenheit Restaurant in Cleveland - Rocco Whelan.

Puppy Raisers

Once the puppies are named, they will be designated to volunteer puppy raisers in one of the six regions of the United States. Ohio is in the North Central region and includes states from western Pennsylvania to North Dakota. The puppy raiser will go to the nearest training center to pick up their puppy. The closest one in Ohio is located in the Columbus suburb of New Albany. This is also the same location where the puppy will return for professional training once they have reached 15 to 18 months.

Puppy raisers sign a contract stating that they will be responsible to care for the puppy for the next 15 to 18 months, including veterinary care, food, and spaying or neutering if they aren’t marked for breeding. They are obligated to attend at least two obedience training classes each month which follow the LIMA training philosophy, or as most people are familiar with, the positive reinforcement technique. The LIMA training philosophy stands for Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive, and prioritizes the dog’s well being. They are to avoid any methods causing fear, pain or distress.

As soon as the puppy comes home, they are introduced to the preferred walking tool by Canine Companions known as the Gentle Leader. In the picture above, Hammond is wearing a Gentle Leader. In order to establish positive association with the Gentle Leader, the puppy will wear it while they eat as soon as they arrive at the puppy raiser’s home. Since puppies eat three times a day, this is a frequent opportunity for them to get used to it.

The Gentle Leader is a tool that requires some conditioning since it encompasses their nose and mouth. Typically dogs do not like it at first and need to gradually get used to it. However, it can be a great tool to guide the dog in different directions and teach a nice heel position. The designated client is under no obligation to use the Gentle Leader, but it is highly recommended.

The Gentle Leader is not a muzzle. When puppy raisers socialize their puppies in public, many people stop to ask why the dog is wearing a muzzle. It works very similar to a horse’s bridle. It redirects the dog when it pulls on the walk. For some dogs, it can have a calming effect due to the pressure points being activated around the nose and ears.

Puppy raisers are representing Canine Companions and how service dogs should behave while in public. Part of that responsibility is making sure they are in control of their dog at all times. It is vital for a service dog to follow their handler’s pace. The handler may be in a wheel chair and cannot be pulled at all. The Gentle Leader is a great tool to accomplish that. Your average dog owner typically does not have the time and patience required for the necessary conditioning that must take place in order for it to be an effective walking tool.

Staicey socializes her puppies frequently with other Canine Companions puppy raisers in the local chapter. They enjoy going to venues such as stores, restaurants, West Side Market, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Cleveland Aquarium. Each place exposes the dogs to different sights, sounds, and smells which teaches them to be comfortable in all types of locations. Remember, when they are paired up with their forever handler, the handler can take them everywhere humans can go except where their fur is not welcome in a sterile environment! Therefore, service dogs in training cannot be so fearful or excited that they cannot focus on their job of doing tasks for their handler.

When a service dog is in public with their handler, they should not greet other people because they are working and need to be focused on taking commands from their handler at all times. While the puppy raisers and their dogs are out and about, they primarily work on ignoring people. However, they do want to train the dogs to be friendly with strangers so that they aren’t afraid or excited around them. It is also a great opportunity to share with the public why they are training their dogs and what Canine Companions is all about. If someone asks to pet their dog, the puppy raiser may elect to release the puppy to greet them. All they ask is that you please ask them first!

Puppy Raising Prison Program

In addition to puppy raisers like Staicey, Canine Companions is using inmates from various prisons around the United States to raise puppies. There are currently 25 facilities participating in this program. These puppies are in prison for a few months with their handler until they are ready to socialize. At that time, the puppy will go for an outing with a volunteer puppy raiser to expose them to the outside world since inmates cannot leave prison until their release. This program is so impactful for the inmates that the recidivism rate for these volunteers is almost non-existent.

At a recent conference to celebrate Canine Companions’ 50th anniversary, there were two inmates who spoke about their time raising puppies and how it impacted their lives. One inmate said that this experience was the first time she felt she was not just a number. It gave her purpose, someone to love and someone who accepted her for who she was, not for what she did to land her in prison.

The volunteer inmates train the puppies the same skills that volunteer puppy raisers do. like the basic “Sit”, “Down”, “Stay”, “Come”. and to walk nicely on leash. Besides the basic obedience commands, Staicey says they learn about 30 cues, including grooming skills such as getting their teeth brushed and fur combed. Some of these cues are the foundation for the professional training that follows. For example, there is an “Up” command. The dog is to put his two front legs resting on an object, but is not allowed to jump onto it. This is useful for when the handler needs the dog to give a store clerk a credit card and needs to get “Up” on the counter. Rocco is in the “Up” position on Staicey in the picture above.

Professional Training

Once the puppy raiser has completed their job and the puppy is between 16 and 18 months old, it is time to take them to the closest training facility. There are 6 nationwide. The closest one in Ohio is located in New Albany. This is where puppies are dropped off to start their professional training if they meet the qualifications of being a service dog.

The client applicants will spend two weeks in New Albany with the dog chosen for them by the staff at Canine Companions. The professional trainers have a lot of weight in this decision since they spend every day for 6 months training the dogs. They know the temperament of each dog so they can ideally match them up with the client’s needs and lifestyle. The client applicants learn all of the commands the dog has been taught and also has time to bond with their new dog. They also have an opportunity to express to the trainers particular tasks they would like the dog to learn.

The professional trainers will teach the dogs approximately 45 tasks including, but not limited to, picking up dropped items, turning on and off lights, closing doors and drawers, tugging laundry baskets and opening and closing refrigerator doors. There is also a “Do Nothing” command which is almost identical to the “Place” command a lot of dog trainers teach. The “Do Nothing” is very useful for service or facility dogs who have to be content with laying down until they are released. This could be hours depending on the scenario. During this podcast, Rocco was demonstrating the “Do Nothing” command until Staicey released him. He actually fell asleep and started snoring but he woke up when Staicey commanded him to work!

There is a high demand for service dogs for veterans who have PTSD. Dogs can be trained to wake them up and disrupt a nightmare, they can turn on lights and pull back the covers on the bed. A lot of veterans have social anxiety in public. Their service dog knows commands “Front” and “Back” which means the dog positions itself in front or behind the person to block them from other people in a crowd. The dog can take the vet back to the their comfort place when experiencing mounting anxiety due to certain triggers in their environment. The dog gives a veteran a reason to get out and the security to be in public when they wouldn’t have done so on their own.

Staicey finds raising puppies for Canine Companions very rewarding because she is able to meet the client her dog will serve. Four times a year, there is a graduation ceremony for the dogs that have completed their 6 month professional training. Staicey is able to have lunch with her dog’s client and shows them pictures of when the dog she spent 16-18 months with was a puppy. They typically share contact information, but it is up to the client if they want to reach out to her in the future. Staicey has been fortunate that almost all of her 15 puppies she has raised have gone on to graduate and become service dogs.

Facility Dogs

Facility dogs are as well trained as service dogs, but do not work for someone with a disability. They are assigned to a professional in the medical, judicial, educational, or physical/occupational therapy fields. The biggest difference between a facility dog and a service dog is that facility dogs do not have public access because their handler does not have a disability. They are allowed to go to work with their handler and help so many people in various ways.

Examples of facility dogs are:

* Judicial - a children’s lawyer can bring their dog to the courthouse to provide comfort to children in forensic interviews and support them in court.

* Rehabilitation - a physical therapist may bring their dog to help clients with their physical therapy goals and offer comfort while enduring painful exercises. They can also grab equipment for the patient.

* Educational - a speech therapist can bring their dog to help children undergoing speech therapy. Children will talk and feel more at ease with a dog versus a human.

If you are interested in having a facility dog at your place of employment, please access the Canine Companions website at canine.org and fill out the application stating your desire.

Therapy Dog Program

For dogs that do not meet the standards of a service or facility dog due to temperament or medical issues, these highly trained dogs are released to enter the therapy dog program. Canine Companions started their own therapy program because they wanted them to continue to represent the organization.

Therapy dogs typically do not have any task training. However, sometimes dogs have to be released from professional training due to a medical issue that has arisen, such as an allergy to something environmental. These dogs are already trained and can continue to do the tasks they have learned for the handler at home, but are not expected to do tasks for the people they comfort.

Since 2008, September has been recognized as National Service Dog Month. The life and job of a service dog with their handler is beyond amazing that an entire month is dedicated to them. The Northern Ohio chapter of Canine Companions is celebrating their 50th anniversary by hosting an event open to the public called “Stride for Service Dogs” this September 13, in Medina, Ohio. They are hoping to get at least 50 people to each walk one mile collectively with others at the event to total to 50 miles and 1,000 people to donate $50 each to hit the $50,000 amount to help celebrate 50 years of being in existence.

For more information or to donate to the Stride for Service Dogs event, please click on the link below:

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/dogfestnorthcentral2025/account/2036487/

As I write this post, I am happy to announce that Staicey and Rocco matriculated on August 8 and Rocco will be moving on to his professional training program! I look forward to hearing who Rocco will be matched up with and what tasks he will be taught to help his new handler live more independently.

If you have a disability and would like to apply for a service dog, facility dog or if you would like to apply for any of the volunteer positions available within Canine Companions, please access their website at canine.org. You can also follow them on Facebook by searching for the Canine Companions name and logo above.

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 In order to have a well-balanced dog, 60% of a dog's day should be filled with exercise, 20% discipline, and the other 20% affection, and in that order. This is according to Cesar Millan, a well known dog behaviorist. I agree with that, but I break that down a little bit more by saying that within that 60% exercise, 40% of it should be structured exercise. This refers to walking your dog in a structured way - more specifically, in a heel position. The dog should not be in front of you, behind you, or allowed to go wherever they want.

Another form of structured exercise is playing fetch or tug of war with your dog, but there has to be rules. When playing fetch, the dog must sit before you throw the ball. When the dog brings back the toy, you tell them to drop it, and then step in front of the toy to show that it belongs to you. This demonstrates you are the leader, making the rules of the game you are both engaged in. This also avoids the dog lunging at the toy at the same time as you, possibly avoiding an unintentional bite. After the dog retrieves the toy, you either engage in playing more fetch or you end the game.

If playing tug of war, the dog should be trained to release the toy on command. It is important to note that when you are playing tug of war with your dog, you are both competing for the same toy. They will see you as an equal until you set some rules from a position of leadership. Some dogs get over-the-top excited when playing this game, especially the terrier breeds, who are known to hold on at all costs!

In order to teach the dog to drop the toy, start with a light game of tug and trade the toy with a treat. At the same time the dog releases the toy from their mouth, say either “Release” or “Drop It”. They need to know what “Release” or “Drop It” means before escalating further with stronger tugging. This takes hundreds of repetitions. If you feel that your dog starts to get into a more aggressive state of mind, please contact me or a certified dog trainer for guidance.

The other 20% of a dog’s daily exercise can be unstructured exercise. This includes having free time in a fenced-in yard to wander around or to play with other dogs. Playing with another dog can totally exhaust a dog because there is the physical part of playing, but also the mental part of navigating how to communicate with the other dog. As dogs play with each other, they are communicating through their body language and movements. I always recommend that playtime be supervised in case any disagreements arise between the dogs.

Throughout the day, 20% of it should include discipline. This does not mean we are telling the dog “No!” every time they misbehave. It means that we are telling the dog where they can and cannot go. We are enforcing the rules of the house: what to do when guests arrive, if they are allowed on the furniture, or where they are allowed to sleep at night. This is where your basic obedience skills come in to play. For example, you may want the dog to sit and stay while you prepare his breakfast or dinner, or the dog must be in a down stay while your child or grandchild eats at the table.

The last 20% of a balanced dog’s day should be affection. The problem most of us have is that we give too much affection to our dogs at the wrong time. We unknowingly pet our dogs lovingly when the dog is in an excited or fearful state of mind. Remember, petting our dogs is a reward in the dog’s mind. You are rewarding the state of mind the dog is in at that moment. The best time to pet our dogs is when they are calm and submissive. We can be fooled by our dogs too. We may think they are calm because they are laying down. However, their brain may be in a tizzy still because they just finished playing and they haven’t calmed down yet. So, if you go to pet your dog and they get up and start getting excited all over again, then they aren’t totally calm and submissive. Just wait a few minutes for the brain to adjust to a calmer state and try again.

I believe that our dogs want us to be the leader and make decisions for them. Even in our human family, the parents should be enforcing the rules of the house. Otherwise, the children will feel they have to make their own decisions and they simply do not have the skillset to do so until they have matured into adolescence. Dogs are no different. Remember, they have the intelligence and insight of a 2 to 3 year old toddler. Dogs thrive when they know where to go and what to do in every situation, especially new scenarios. They need their leader to tell them.

I have found over the years working with clients, this 60% exercise, 20% discipline and 20% affection is lopsided. People are giving too much affection to their dogs, not enough discipline, and not enough exercise. Some people actually do exercise their dogs quite a bit, but it is mostly unstructured exercise. All of this can lead to unbalanced dogs who end up with various issues that get in the way of living harmoniously with their human family.

It is very challenging to keep up with our dogs. They have way more energy than we do. However, by keeping this 60-20-20 lifestyle with our dogs in the forefront of our minds, we are on our way to having a more balanced dog.

There are two different types of walks. One is a structured walk in the heel position and the other is a nature walk on a long leash, sometimes referred to as a “Sniffari”-a sniffing safari. The structured walk is what I recommend and teach all of my clients. This involves teaching the dog not to pull on the leash. It involves a mentality that the human is the leader and the dog is the follower. I am not opposed to a sniffari type of walk. Just make sure you are giving the dog permission to be at the end of the long leash instead of the dog making that decision. In fact, a sniffari type of walk can exhaust a dog due to the brain power expended from processing all of the scents on the walk. However, your everyday walks should include a structured walk to maintain a healthy leader-follower relationship.

Structured walks in the heel position require a lot of training and patience to accomplish. It doesn’t happen overnight. I haven’t met one person yet who enjoys being pulled on the leash by their dog. However, since it takes months and hundreds of repetitions to achieve a walk with no pulling, people tend to rush the process. So many people abandon walking their dog because of the danger of being pulled. Even those clients who do contact me for this reason, still won’t take the time necessary to teach the dog how to heel, and therefore still deal with being pulled on the leash.

The way I have had success in teaching a dog to heel is first finding the best walking tool for that dog. I go in to this in detail in my episode “Harnesses, Leashes and Collars, Oh My!”. After deciding on the right tool for the dog, choose which side you will predominantly walk your dog. It really doesn’t matter if the dog walks on the right or left hand side, unless you have plans to make your dog a show dog, a therapy dog, an AKC Canine Good Citizen, or enter competitive handling competitions. In these cases, it is highly recommended and even mandatory that the dog be walked on the left hand side.

As a trainer working with a pack of dogs, it is easier when everybody walks their dog on the left hand side. Some people may have physical limitations which may require the dog to be walked on the right hand side. However, as long as the dog is in the heel position, I can still manage the pack for certain obedience exercises.

After determining the right walking tool and the side the dog will walk on, next is teaching the dog to stay next to you by using treats. As far as where the heel position is, I tell clients to think of the dog’s ears lining up with your thigh. When dealing with medium to large dogs, this position is even more important. It helps arrange the dog’s shoulders and chest to be a little behind you. Should the dog lunge, you will have much more control from this posture as opposed to the dog already being in front of you and possibly making you fall down as you try to hold on.

Fun fact: The “heel” position originated in the military. Guns were drawn from the right and dogs were handled on the left.

When training your dog to walk in the heel position on the left hand side, it is best to hold the leash in your right hand and treat the dog with your left hand. If your left arm hangs straight down with your hand open and palm facing the dog’s mouth, that is the heel position. Treat the dog only when the leash is loose. Later, add the “Heel” command and always use your voice to confirm this by saying, “Good Heel”. I taught my dog Ebi this way. She doesn’t know how to walk way in front of me. A Leonberger in front of their handler would be sending a message to the dog to protect the handler. That is not a scenario I want to intentionally create.

I wish more people asked me how often they should walk their dog. Before I knew how beneficial it was to the dog, I would walk my Corgi, Hank, whenever it fit into my schedule. When I had to get a professional dog trainer to manage Hank’s aggression, it was brought to my attention how beneficial exercise was to his well being. I was advised to walk Hank twice a day for at least one to two miles. This is what I advise my clients. Hopefully, one time in the morning and another time in the afternoon to early evening. If you can get another walk in, that is great. We all have busy days, but we have to remember the exercise requirement of our dogs. One walk is better than no walks. No exceptions for holidays. Obviously, as the dogs age, adjust the schedule according to what they can manage. If you can’t physically walk your dog, think of hiring a dog walker. I can recommend a few!

When you are walking your dog, it is very important that you don’t stop every 10-15 feet to let the dog sniff. This interrupts the instinctual feeling you and your dog get when walking in a pack, even if the pack is just you and your dog. You should be the one deciding when and where to stop to let your dog eliminate or just take a break, not the dog. For a one mile walk, it’s okay to stop 2-3 times for a break. Any more than that, the dog is marking his or her territory and changing the dynamic of the leader-follower relationship. It is worth mentioning that female dogs mark too.

Your responsibility while walking your dog is to look out for any potential triggers. Each dog has their own set of triggers. It may be squirrels, deer, birds, dogs, or people. You may have a dog that is just so excited to be out that they want see and experience everything. Then, your responsibility is to teach the dog they can't go after everything they want to unless you have given them the permission to do so. If you keep giving into the dog, all of a sudden the dog is directing how the walk is going, and you're no longer the leader. They are. You become the follower.

The Top 10 Reasons to Walk Your Dog

* It fosters the relationship of leader - follower between you and your dog.

Positioning in a dog’s world is very important. The heel position reminds the dog every time who is in charge. A well behaved dog is one who has no doubt who their leader is and that leader is you. This promotes the development of a secure dog.

* It releases pent up energy.

The best time to walk your dog is in the morning after your dog has slept for eight to 10 hours. They need to get out there and walk to release pent up energy. That's what they would do in the wild. They get up and start walking with the pack, searching for food. You may find that changing the time of your walk to first thing in the morning sets a better mood for the rest of the day. This is even more important if you will be gone all day. Sleeping all night, then doing nothing all day can lead to destructive and over excited energy when you do arrive home.

* It keeps your dog safe.

When your dog is by your side, you have more control of your dog in case they lunge at something in their environment. If your dog is out in front of you and an unfriendly dog approaches you, it may be too late to reel them in to avoid conflict. Also, a fearful dog out in front of their handler does not want to be making the decision whether or not stimuli is a threat. This should be there responsibility of the handler.

* It is a time to practice obedience skills.

Turn the walk in to a '“working walk” by getting your dog to sit and stay as you scoop up their poop. Have the dog sit by your side and stay as you wait to cross the street. Randomly, stop and put them in a down until you release them.

* It gives you the opportunity to have your dog check in with you.

Train your dog to look at you on your command. This helps when the dog gets distracted for whatever reason, It avoids the dog locking in and intensely focusing on something in their environment, You can diffuse explosive reactions this way. We want the dog to believe that you are more important than that other thing they are looking at.

* It familiarizes the dog with your neighborhood.

In the event your dog gets away from you and you don’t have a reliable recall, hopefully they will find their way back to you. This is a frightening experience that I hear about too often. Besides working diligently on the recall in all types of situations, I recommend walking a two mile radius from your house. There will be repeated smells and sounds that can help them find their way back home. If this should happen to you, one little tip is to put an article of your clothing at the point where you lost them, and then that scent will hopefully guide them home.

* It exposes the dog to the environment.

Socializing your dog to new places, people, and things will make them more adaptable and comfortable exploring. It also exhausts them mentally because they have to process what they are experiencing. If they have you as their leader to prevent conflicts or danger, or safely and respectfully introduce them to new things, they will learn to respect you. Remember, dogs have 4 different ways to process things in their environment: fight, flight, ignore, or avoid. It is our responsibility as their handler and leader to confront issues in a safe and respectful way.

* It keeps you and your dog in good physical shape.

Exercise we all know is good for us too, so we benefit from walking our dog. It's good for our emotional and mental state of mind. We release endorphins when we walk and so do the dogs. It is good. That's why dogs are usually happy when they're out there walking.

* It helps maintain a healthy digestive system.

Beneficial bacteria outside leads to a healthier digestive tract. This applies to humans and animals. So many dogs have digestive issues. Getting outside can help regulate the digestive tract. Also, exercise can help ease constipation.

* It fulfills the instinct in all dogs to walk.

You will notice your dog’s instinct to walk with you when their stride is regimented, their head is held lower, their tongue is hanging out, and their rhythm is in sync with yours. This touches the core of their being. It is rewarding to the humans when you experience this. You won’t feel this if you are constantly stopping at your dog’s whim. I will never forget the first time I experienced this with my Corgi, Hank. It is an awesome experience and one that still is repeated with my current dog, Ebi. Look into attending a pack walk. I hold mine on Sunday mornings from 10-11am in different parks in the Cleveland area, predominantly on the west side. Please contact me at the number below if you are interested.

The best result from walking …. a tired dog is a good dog! You want your dog coming home from their walk panting and laying down. This is the dog that is going to be more compliant. This is the dog that isn’t going to bark as much. They will be a happy and fulfilled dog!

If you need any guidance on walking your dog so that it is more enjoyable, please contact me at the phone number below my logo. Also, please leave a comment and tell us how walking your dog benefits both of you!

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Aggression in dogs is a serious issue which always needs to be addressed. Some dogs are reactive, but not aggressive, towards other dogs. Some are aggressive towards dogs and some are aggressive towards people. I hope to clarify the difference between these behaviors and explain some of the reasons why dogs act out in an aggressive manner.   Getting to the root of the behavior and why it is occuring is key to a rehabilitation plan for the dog.

Some dogs show aggression when protecting their human, their territory, or things of value. Other dogs show aggression when in a state of uncertainty and fear. Very few dogs that I have encountered are aggressive due to their dominant temperament. Dogs are not born aggressive. The environment, which includes the humans around them, can contribute to developing aggressive behavior.

Reactivity is when a dog barks, lunges, shows their teeth, or the hackles are raised on their back. They are reacting to things in their environment. Sometimes reactivity can be mistaken for aggression because the dog’s reaction can appear to be intense. Aggression is taking it to the next level of intensity and the dog bites either another dog or a human. However, just because your German Shepherd may have bit a stranger while he was protecting you, it doesn’t mean that your dog will bite all humans after that incident. It is important to know the traits of your dog and seek the guidance of a professional dog trainer to help manage these types of breed traits and identify potential triggers that cause the reactivity and/or aggression in your dog.

The training I received at Petco was based on the positive reinforcement philosophy. The company policy prohibited dog trainers to work with any kind of reactivity or aggression. I probably dealt with more reactive cases than what Petco wanted me to. However, I knew my limits and I was not qualified to handle a certain level of intense reactivity that could turn into aggression. I had no formal training on how to deal with it. Therefore, I referred these cases out to Chuck Stella, owner of Elite K911.

I met Chuck almost 15 years ago. It was very rare when I had to refer aggressive cases to him, but it was a necessity nonetheless. The dogs I referred to Chuck would take part in the board and train service that was and still is offered at Elite K911. The dogs stay on premise and trainers work with the dog to discover the root of the aggression and devise a rehab plan to help the dog and the humans live harmoniously together. Whenever I come across a dog that is beyond my expertise, I still refer them to Chuck, as well as Gary Flynn, an excellent dog trainer who has been a guest on my podcast.

Presently, I still base my assessment of a potentially aggressive dog as I did many years ago while working at Petco. I observe the dog’s body language, how it interacts with me first, then with their pet parent, and finally with other people. If a dog has bit their pet parent, I will find out what happened which caused the dog to act that way. If a dog has bit strangers, I will find out what environment and position the dog was in, in relation to their pet parent. For example, if a dog was out in front of their handler, the dog may be in protection mode. In this case, a dog should be walked in the heel position to confirm that they are being led by their handler. Their handler does not need to be constantly protected.

Conversely, if a dog is a cautious dog and is also allowed in front of their handler, they feel more insecure and may lash out because of that. This type of dog prefers to be led than to lead. They don’t want to make the decisions on how to react to stimuli in their environment. They prefer their handler to make those decisions.

I also assess the dog’s temperament and body language. Finally, I feel I have a sixth sense which picks up the dog’s energy. I always tell people I am way better at sensing a dog’s energy than people’s energy. Dogs can’t fake how they act or feel. People can be experts at it!

I will work with the dog that is having aggressive tendencies, as long as the dog lets me handle them. The best way for me to really get to know a dog is by walking them on leash. I may try different tactics, and specific walking tools to come up with how to manage this dog in different scenarios. A lot of times, I am successful. However, when I have exhausted my options and I am not seeing any improvement, I will refer this dog to either Chuck or Gary. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen a lot. The good news is the majority of dogs that come my way can be rehabbed and very few have unfortunate outcomes.

Cesar Millan, a famous dog trainer/behaviorist whom I admire, says the true nature of a dog is to be calm and confident, to exude love, and to be joyful. Everyone wants to be around this type of energy. We all know it when we experience it. My previous dog, Hank the Corgi, did not have it. My current dog, Ebi the Leonberger, does. Part of that is due to the amount of training and knowledge, or lack of knowledge, the pet parent has about dog behavior. The other part is their temperament and true nature that Cesar Millan speaks of. Dogs do not want to be in an aggressive state. They prefer to be in a calm and submissive state of mind. They strive for balance in any pack they are in. It is when they cannot achieve a balanced state that they act out, sometimes in an aggressive manner.

Chuck recounts on our podcast how it pains him to see dogs who want to be dogs, but their pet parents get in the way. Some people have their own version of how dogs should be trained, which goes against what professional dog trainers believe. It is necessary to make the pet parents understand dogs are animals with certain instincts which are different than ours. We have to call out the pet parents when they try to anthropomorphize their dogs. This is when humans project human emotions and logic on to their dog. They explain their dog’s behavior using human logic and reactions, and not basing it on dog psychology. This is one way that pet parents get in the way of fixing their dog’s behavior.

Chuck believes dogs are survivalists. Their brain is always in survival mode. They assess their world by determining if they need to fight or flee any given situation. It is up to us humans to assure them through our confident and consistent leadership that “we got this.” It is through repeated events that are handled in this way, when the dog begins to trust us. The majority of dogs do not want to handle unknown situations. They much prefer to surrender that job to their leader.

It is when this leadership and trust are not present that the dogs become unstable. We cannot love our dogs into changing their behavior. There is a time and place when it is appropriate to show affection towards our dogs. However, what typically happens is the pet parents will pet the dog who is barking or is scared. This reinforces the exact behavior in the dog they are exhibiting in the moment.

From a dog’s point of view, petting is a reward. Ultimately, you are rewarding the dog for barking or you are rewarding the dog for its current fearful state of mind. That coupled with saying “It’s okay, it’s okay” in a soft voice, is not only rewarding the dog, but also demonstrating that their leader is no longer calm and confident. In the dog’s eyes, their leader has weak energy and therefore there must be something to be fearful about. This is another way pet parents get in the way of rehabbing their dog.

Always remember the behavior you are reinforcing in the dog when you pet them or give them a treat.

It is very rare to come across truly aggressive dogs. According to Chuck, people tend to quickly label a dog as aggressive, even if the dog is not biting, but is growling and showing their teeth. These are all warning signs a bite may be imminent, but doesn’t mean the dog is aggressive. There are many reasons why dogs may act out in an aggressive way, but it doesn’t mean that this dog should be labeled aggressive. So many of these aggressive tendencies can be managed by teaching the pet parent how to handle the dog when triggered.

In order to highlight the issue of reactivity, I will cite examples starting with my own dog. When Ebi was about 15 months old, she went into heat. During those months prior to the heat cycle and post heat cycle, she didn’t want any stranger dogs near her. She started barking at any dog passing by, sometimes rather intensely. I was able to manage her 110 lb. body, but it was challenging. I did not know at the time this could happen during a heat cycle. I had to work through this reactivity in order to rehab it. This took a long time. As of today, she may bark and jump a little at certain dogs who stare her down, but she has never gone after a dog aggressively.

It was around this time that she started barking a particular bark when she was outside in the backyard. A key instinct of a Leonberger is to protect their territory from predators. She started barking at pedestrians walking by on a nearby busy street. I had to go outside each time to put her in a sit by my side, which communicated to her I was now in charge, and her job to alert me of the stranger was done. She still does this occasionally today. It’s difficult to fight Mother Nature and that actually is a useful trait to have. I want my dog to alert me, but then I also want her to stop once I get involved to manage the situation. If I never addressed this issue, some other negative behaviors could have formed and she could have become aggressive.

Both of these examples are reactivity examples. The second example is one of two reasons that Chuck says can trigger a dog to be aggressive. If Ebi thought the stranger on the street was encroaching on her territory and a potential threat, she could bite that person. She would be in the territorial mindset and could act upon it and become more intense. I would never say that she won’t ever bite anyone. She is still an animal with animal instincts. Again, it is up to me to manage it so we never get in that situation.

Another trigger can be for predatory reasons. Some dogs may only want to chase a small animal, but others want to chase, catch, and kill. All dogs have a prey drive. Some breeds have it much stronger than others. Recognizing the intensity level of the prey drive in your dog can help you manage them most effectively. Terriers are known to have the tenacity to hunt, catch and kill prey that comes across their path. It is possible to manage this prey drive through extensive training. Gary Flynn and I will be discussing this topic in a future episode when we talk specifically about training hunting dogs.

Other reasons that can cause aggression in dogs, but don’t necessarily mean that your dog is aggressive:

* boredom and frustration - not draining enough physical and mental energy

* being groomed - touching ears, paws, and tail are sensitive spots

* lack of fulfilling breed traits - for example, a hunting dog confined to the home

* lack of leadership by pet parents - not enough structure and too much affection

* resource guarding - when dogs won’t surrender their toys/food

* reacting defensively to being bullied or dominated by another dog in the pack

* spatial pressure - when dogs feel cornered or when two dogs are going thru the same threshold at the same time

* redirected aggression - particularly when on leash, the dog is restricted to pursue something and turns around and bites whatever is nearest to them

* already excited state of mind over one thing can intensify another reaction to something else

* defending themselves from being hit by humans

Communication between dogs can appear harsh, but it is not necessarily aggression. My dog Ebi has never been aggressive towards any dogs, even dogs she has met for the first time, which can be stressful. If she is playing with a dog and the dog is trying to hump her, she will air bite at that dog to let them know that she doesn’t like that behavior. This is not aggression. This is how dogs communicate. However, if the other dog does not get the hint, Ebi would send a more powerful message. Dogs need to learn what the boundaries are of the other dog they are playing with. If the dog still doesn’t get the message, I would step in with no words spoken and make the dog surrender to me as if to say with my body language only “Stop humping her”. When dogs are playing, they should always be supervised for this reason. No one wants to break up a dog fight!

Another similar example is when there are several dogs running around and playing together and one dog decides to be the peacemaker between two dogs who are playing too intensely. That peacemaker dog will go after the dog who is causing the intensity by barking, nipping or even putting a paw on that dog’s back to settle him down. This is not aggression. This is dog communication.

Dogs do not like unsettled energy in a pack. They operate best when there is calm energy in their environment. This is also why a happy but hyper dog can get “corrected” by another dog when they approach each other. It can actually cause a fight. Dogs must be in a calm state and all four paws on the ground when being introduced to another dog. If the dog rears back on its hind legs, that can be seen as an aggressive sign and cause the other dog to react negatively. I have seen dog fights break out because of this. This doesn’t mean that your dog is now going to be aggressive with all other dogs.

Dog communication cannot be confused with aggression.

Some dogs can be aggressive with other dogs, but not people. Pit bulls that I have known have been very sweet, but they can be a different dog out in the community. This is common for the bully breeds. According to Chuck who has had pit bulls as pets and rehabbed many pit bulls, they can be challenging to socialize. Pit bulls were bred for bull baiting until it was banned in the 19th century. However, instead of bull fighting, that type of entertainment moved underground. They were then bred to kill rats in a pit. Some pit bulls are used as bait and others are used to fight and kill each other.

Since the AKC does not recognize pit bulls as a purebred, there are no reputable breeders to disclose temperament and breed traits. So many times their history is not known. Therefore, a lot of pit bulls end up in shelters due to overpopulation and behavior reasons. It is important to be aware of their history as a breed and their specific instincts, in order to manage the dog in the optimal way.

Chuck has always had a dog in his pack that he had to keep an eye on. He talks about a dog he adopted named Radar who bit 3 people, including Chuck. Radar was used as a fighting dog. Sometimes, when you bring a dog home for the first time, the dog needs time to acclimate himself to his new surroundings. The dog’s fight or flight response may be on active alert because of so much fear of the unknown. During this time of uncertainty, or as Chuck calls it “detox phase”, the dog may strike out at anything and anyone in their path.

Some dogs have experienced trauma wherever they were living before and their trust of humans can be almost non-existent. Chuck had to work with Radar and be vigilant for many years. Over time, he learned what Radar’s triggers were. He had to make sure to manage those situations properly in order to avoid mishaps. Radar never bit anyone else after those initial 3 bites and became a well balanced dog.

Another dog Chuck was very fond of was named Venus. She was a young 100 pound Cane Corso that went from street dog to therapy dog in just a couple of years. Rescuers were chasing her around Cleveland State campus trying to catch her for some time, but to no avail. They wanted this large dog off the streets. Chuck offered his help with a big enough crate to handle her. He put food inside the crate, Venus took the bait, and she was caught.

However, they all had to come up with a plan for this huge dog that was nasty and thrashing about in the crate. Chuck volunteered to take her home. He recounts how it was as if a lightbulb went off in her head and she all of a sudden became Chuck’s best buddy. Chuck ultimately was able to take Venus into hospitals and nursing homes. She made a lot of people happy with her unconditional love. She will always be remembered fondly by whomever was lucky enough to know her.

The majority of cases can be rehabbed in a few weeks or months. For a more difficult dog, it can take longer. The problem is not everyone has the patience, skill, and knowledge to manage a dog with aggressive tendencies. If a dog has bitten more than once and the pet parent wants to surrender the dog, the shelter will not take the dog back. It is very difficult to find a home for a dog with a bite history. It is important to note that not everyone reports dog bites. They may not even know they are supposed to. However, if you seek medical attention for the dog bite and admit that you were bit by a dog, that medical establishment must report it to the local health department.

Dogs may be surrendered back to the shelter without disclosing that the dog bit people. What a terrible predicament the new pet parents find themselves in. They have already bonded with the dog, but later find out that it wants to bite people, including themselves. They realize it isn’t fair to the dog to keep them in their current living situation. They know that the dog would be better off in a different family or living quarters, but no one wants to take on the responsibility of a dog with aggression issues. This scenario usually does not have a good outcome. So, please report any bites to future owners for your dog or seek a professional dog trainer to assess if the dog can be rehabbed.

I was referred to a couple who had recently rescued a young dog from a shelter. They lived in a high rise apartment with plenty of green area for dogs to be on and off leash. I could tell that the dog was definitely unsure and probably never socialized before. He made tremendous progress with training. He learned to sleep in a crate, to properly greet people, and to walk by the pet parent’s side in a heel position.

However, when he would see another dog on the apartment grounds, he went crazy barking and lunging. He also had a very stiff body, his hackles were raised, his pupils were dilated to the point that they were black, and his tail was straight up. These are all signs of what Cesar Millan refers to as a “Red Zone” case. If he ever broke away from his handler, it would not have been a pretty sight. This was a dog I referred to earlier as having very intense energy. A dog trainer with aggression experience needed to intervene.

This client contacted the dog trainer she had worked with many years ago when she had a different dog. He kept the dog for a period of time, and the dog did amazing being around other dogs. However, as soon as he returned to this apartment building, he went ballistic again and bit several people. The issue was where he lived. He had to be exposed to other dogs in tight quarters, on leash, while waiting for the elevator upstairs. There were always people walking around. This atmosphere put too much spatial and social pressure on the dog, and he finally lashed out.

The problem was that with a bite history, the shelter did not want him back and the client could not move to a new place. This client did everything she could to keep the dog alive. There was no guarantee that the dog would never bite again in a new environment. Ultimately, she had to make the agonizing decision to put the dog to sleep. The dog had become a liability. The only suitable person to manage this dog would have been a dog trainer with a lot of aggression experience, and there just wasn’t any to be found.

I recently referred to Chuck and his staff a pit bull mix named Daisy. She was rescued by a couple with a young child. They knew they needed to reach out to a trainer for help because Daisy was so fearful and reactive to everything in her environment. When I went to their home, I observed a fearful dog that was warning me not to get close to her. She was backing up and barking very intensely. I had them put a leash on her and walk her around the house until she calmed down. I could tell that she wanted to check me out, so I told the client to drop the leash and let her sniff me. When a dog does this and I know they are sensitive, I don’t make a move and stay calm. No petting, no eye contact. By the end of the visit, I was able to give her treats out of my hand. I knew there was a lot of hope for Daisy.

However, as time went on, Daisy became more reactive when family visited, and their child became afraid of Daisy’s unpredictable behavior. I did not want this to escalate any further, and therefore referred the family to Chuck. He showed the family how to claim the front door and Daisy did not have the privilege of greeting people at the door. She was to be in her safe place in her crate and had to be quiet too.

The great news is that Daisy is doing amazingly well and the family is putting in the hard work required to rehab her. She responded very quickly to her new rules, boundaries and limitations. Her work is not over and will require a vigilant eye for quite some time. She can walk in a heel position, she can go to public events, and even be pet by the kids in the neighborhood. She has transformed remarkably and quickly.

There are many different scenarios that can send an excited dog into an aggressive state of mind where they lash out at the closest thing to them. Some dogs can be triggered by various things even from far away. Very few dogs are truly aggressive. Rehabilitation can be very challenging and time consuming. The most challenging part of the rehab process can be returning the dog back to the pet parent. These types of dogs must be closely monitored. The pet parent must have an advanced level of knowledge about dog behavior and dog psychology. Even if this pet parent exists, not everyone wants to take on this responsibility. The dog becomes a liability and no one wants to have a dog that could harm another dog or person, let alone a young child. Sadly, these types of cases do not always have a good outcome.

However, in the majority of aggression cases, rehabilitation can be achieved in a relatively short period of time. Dog trainers need to stress how the rehab process does not end when the dog trainers leave. It is up to the pet parent to follow through with a new approach to communicating with their dog. They must closely monitor the potential triggers of their dog to reduce and avoid the aggression.

The big question of the day is “Can aggression ever go away?” I personally believe that dogs have a memory. They learn and retain information through association. If a dog was aggressive and bit another dog or person several times, something in those instances could be remembered and become a trigger for future aggression potentially for the rest of their life.

Please consult a professional dog trainer if you are experiencing any type of aggression mentioned above. Most of the time, it can be fixed with the proper instructions. Never try to manage it yourself.

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One of the premier dog training companies in the greater Cleveland area is Elite K911. The owner is Chuck Stella. I became acquainted with Chuck while I was working at Petco beginning in 2012. When I wasn’t conducting classes, I was trying to sell my obedience classes to customers. So many of them would tell me they were all set with their training needs because Chuck at Elite K911 took good care of them and he was an excellent trainer. He helped rehab their dogs and they were forever grateful to him. I had to meet this man!

As I have mentioned before, Petco’s policy was to not manage any aggressive dogs. Before meeting Chuck, I had to tell clients whose dogs had aggression issues that I could not continue to help them. I didn’t want to just leave them hanging with not knowing where to turn. This didn’t happen very often, but I wanted to be able to help more by referring them to someone reputable. Chuck was that guy. After meeting Chuck, I knew if he couldn’t help the client and dog, no one else could.

Over the years, I have referred about a dozen cases to Chuck and his trainers. They all had serious issues outside of my realm of experience. When I went out on my own, I decided that I did not want to handle “red zone” cases. In order to help these dogs, I consulted with Chuck, and either he or his trainers would work with the dog as a board and train situation. This is when the dog stays at Elite K911 for a period of time while the issues are being evaluated and worked out. Some cases did not have a good outcome, but others surely did. I cover this in more detail in my next episode with Chuck about reactivity and aggression.

Before Chuck built Elite K911 into a business of 15 employees, including trainers and groomers, he started rescuing dogs while working on construction sites. He would bring them home with him, but then he didn’t know how to train them. He met a young woman who showed him ways to work with the dogs to help correct their behavior. When Chuck implemented these strategies, they worked. That was the beginning of his interest in training dogs.

Over time, Chuck brought more dogs home and integrated them into his existing pack. Dog catchers weren’t as plentiful and efficient as they are today. So, Chuck felt that every time he would go to a new construction site, he would end up bringing a dog home! Along the way, Chuck was meeting more people who knew about dog behavior. The more he learned, the more he was interested in really helping these dogs. Ultimately, he contacted Mel McGrath from Paramount Dog Training Company, who took Chuck under his wing and even helped him form his own company.

After almost 35 years working construction and then forming his own construction business, Chuck was ready to focus all of his attention into starting a dog training business. He bought a dilapidated house where the owner bred chinchillas. Chuck had to completely strip down the interior due to the damage done by the chinchillas, and start from scratch. As he rebuilt the inside while living there, Chuck started doing in-home visits to help people with their problem dogs. Then, he built a training room where he could conduct group obedience classes. Elite K911 was under way!

One of my first interactions with Chuck was when I called him for advice to give to the son of a friend of mine whose dog spent all day and night in a crate that was too small for him. It was located in a rough section of Cleveland. Chuck went there, rescued the dog, and brought him back home to re-home him.

Fast forward to today, Chuck is still helping dogs in need. Chuck and his staff have been working with a dog belonging to another rescue organization that is mostly blind and very reactive. It is imperative to treat this case not only with caution, but also with respect for the dog. Chuck has found from his experience that when a dog is completely blind, it is easier to rehab the dog. They no longer try to use that sense of eyesight and therefore rely on their other senses. This is a work in progress and everyone on staff is trying all they can to save this dog.

Board and trains

When dogs come from different rescues to be rehabbed, they are considered part of Elite K911’s board and train service. A plan is devised that will best suit each individual dog, whether it is a rescue or a client’s dog who needs help. Chuck prefers to screen the pet parent who brings their dog to him because he wants to make sure that they will commit to continuing the work and progress made during the board and train once the dog is back at home. There is always a transition period after the dog has completed his stay at Elite K911 and ready to go home. Two transitional training home visits are included in the board and train contract, with unlimited follow-up visits if necessary.

Board and trains are not meant to be a shortcut to having someone else train your dog and relieve you of the hard work of training your dog and fostering a healthy relationship. Dogs don’t get fully trained in a 3 to 4 week board and train or in a 6 week group class. It can lay a nice foundation for the pet parent to expand upon. If there are serious issues like aggression or overcoming crippling fear, it can take your laser focused attention to these types of issues for the lifetime of the dog.

Dog training is not just training dogs. It is about making the humans aware of their dog’s behavior and knowing what signs to look for that could trigger those behaviors when interacting with other dogs and people.

A trained and well-balanced dog takes effort from the pet parent. Dog training is for the lifetime of your dog. It is about the relationship you have with your dog. Progress can be accelerated by getting professional help, but the bulk of the work has to come from you.

Boarding

As every smart and successful business owner knows, you have to keep developing a solid business plan to satisfy the demand for your services. Chuck has definitely been following a plan to grow his business by including other services besides dog training. A service that has been recently resurrected since COVID is boarding dogs when pet parents are out of town. The indoor kennels can handle 20 dogs. There is an additional 15 outdoor kennels so dogs can spend some time outside. Standard boarding includes taking the dog out multiple times each day and feeding them according to the pet parent’s instructions. Everything closes down at 8:00 p.m., but if a dog requires attention after hours, Chuck is there on site to tend to that dog. There are package deals that include socialization, swimming in the outdoor pool and supervised running through the agility course. Dogs have the option to get some exercise while being boarded there which can help limit the stress of being away from the familiar surroundings of their home.

Grooming

Within the last year, Elite K911 expanded their services to include grooming. There are 3 groomers and 3 bathers, with room to grow. On Saturdays from 8am-1pm, open grooming is available. No appointment is necessary for a nail trim or an ear cleaning. Otherwise, the salon is open Monday through Saturday for full grooming services by appointment only. Anna, the head groomer, is a behavioral groomer. She will take on difficult cases. Not all dogs love the sounds of a grooming salon. It is very common for dogs to avoid being touched on their paws and near their eyes. Some don’t even like to be on the grooming table. Dogs have to be conditioned to withstand all of the stimuli of the grooming salon. So, early exposure is key for your puppy. However, if you are rescuing an adolescent or adult dog, doing some exposure work at home to scissors. clippers, and being elevated on a table, can expedite this conditioning process.

Obedience classes

Elite K911 offers a variety of obedience classes starting with the 5-week Puppy Start class. This class addresses basic puppy behaviors like jumping, nipping, barking, and potty training issues. There is time for socializing off leash with the other puppies in the class. It also includes a time for the pet parents to get tips from their trainers about dog behavior. The goal is to provide information about optimal ways to deal with puppy issues and provide them with hands-on experience so they will have a well-balanced dog.

After completing the puppy start class, a 6 week basic obedience class teaches the Sit, Down, and Come commands. This is then followed by Advanced Obedience, which takes the basic skills and starts adding further distances, more distractions, and longer durations of holding the commanded behavior. It also sets the foundation for off leash reliability. If pet parents wish to continue their training even further, Canine Good Citizen is offered. The protocol for this class is dictated by the American Kennel Club(AKC) and is concluded with a 10 step test. For more information about this 10 step test, please access the AKC website: www.akc.org.

Scent and Mantrailing classes

The scent class at Elite K911 is taught by head trainer, Elise, who has trained both of her Belgian Malinois’ for live human and cadaver recovery. She is very skilled and knowledgeable in search and rescue work. This class introduces dogs to certain smells to track. The different scents for this type of work is derived from essential oils. Birch, Anise and Clove are the most commonly recognized scents that are found in scent kits and also used by the AKC in their classes.

Scent work is both physically and mentally draining for a dog. Their noses are exponentially more sensitive than a human’s nose to the point where we don’t even really know exactly what they can discern and process from a particular scent. I know when I hide treats for my dog either indoors or outdoors, she gets exhausted much quicker than a 2 mile walk. That’s because of all of the processing that goes on in their brain as they analyze the scent they are tracking.

To demonstrate how finite and precise a dog’s nose is capable of, I once hired a dog handler and his lab to sniff out my house when I suspected I had bed bugs. I was fascinated as I watched the handler and dog comb through every inch of my house, upending pillows, sheets, and clothing. The good news is that there were no bed bugs in the house. However, when we moved the scent operation outdoors, the dog sat by our shed where some items from the known bed bug infested house were being stored. The dog was trained to sit if it smelled live bed bugs and to lay down if it smelled larvae. The dog did both in different places in the shed. Needless to say, we wrapped all of those belongings up in plastic and disposed of everything! What a good dog!

Mantrailing is a relatively new dog sport and training method. It is about adventuring outdoors with your dog and having their powerful nose find certain scents. More specifically, it is when dogs use their sense of smell to follow a specific human scent outdoors. This is a seasonal class so as not to expose the humans who hide, and the dogs who track them, to extreme weather conditions. This is not handler led like other classes. It is led by the dog who makes the decisions to find his human. This is strictly for fun, but is used as a foundation for search and rescue work. Elite K911 has 5 acres of land which provides plenty of hiding places.

Chuck put his own dog, Biggie, through two mantrailing classes. Chuck tested Biggie’s skills by hiding inside one of his cars on his property. It only took Biggie about 3 minutes to sit by the car, which is the sign to alert the handler that Chuck was inside!

Swimming

Summer is in full swing and the outdoor pool is now open at Elite K911. Swimming is great exercise for dogs and can even be used as physical therapy when healing from an injury. My dog, Ebi, loves the water. Leonbergers have webbed paws to help them swim and drag heavy loads. Just like the Newfoundlands who are renowned for their water rescue skills, the Leonbergers are just as proficient. It is so much fun to watch a dog that loves to swim.

Not all dogs know what to do when they get in deeper water that is over their heads. The pool at Elite K911 has a ramp that slopes gently down into the water. It’s that last step from the end of the ramp into the water that can freeze up a lot of dogs. All beginner swimmers must wear a life jacket. There is always a lifeguard in the water with beginners. Sometimes dogs need to be coerced by treats or a toy to take the final plunge. Depending on the size of the dog, they may decide to lift the dog up and gently put the dog in the water. However, this can scratch up the lifeguard pretty good, so treats or a toy are the preferred method.

Dogs will never be thrown in the water at Elite K911 and never should be. I have heard too many stories about this. Dogs do not instinctually know how to swim even if they are labradors or water dogs. They have to learn to manipulate their back legs and level their body to stay afloat. A life jacket helps with that, and then some dogs take to the water quicker than others. Once a dog is deemed a good swimmer, they can swim independently without a lifejacket.

The pool at Elite K911 also has a 20’ run that is 17’ high for dock diving. They have a Corgi who frequents the pool that jumps from that high into the water! Private lessons are available to teach dogs to get accustomed to the height and ultimately run and jump in.

Adult social

Once a month, Elite K911 has an adult social from 8am to noon. Dogs must be evaluated to be qualified to be a part of this socialization event. On their one acre property, dogs are able to go into the pond, use the agility course, run around, and play together. They also have access to swim in the pool. The area is supervised by trainers who will address any possible squirmishes so that they don’t develop into fights. To date, no fights have broken out amongst the dogs. Trainers keep a close watch on the dogs and also teach them how to properly approach and greet other dogs.

The Adult Social is more of a working daycare than a typical daycare where trainers will work with the dogs by doing some basic commands like recalling the dogs while being distracted. Chuck discovered when he had a daycare several years ago that negative behaviors developed in some dogs due to the overstimulation of a full day spent with the other dogs there. It is healthier to drain a dog physically and emotionally from playtime, with time off to recuperate, instead of exposing the dog daily to constant stimulation that occurs at typical doggie daycares.

Therapy Program - June’s Crew

Chuck developed his own self-funded therapy dog program called June’s Crew, which now includes 27 certified dogs. Dogs must qualify to meet the standards imposed by Elite K911 such as completing all of the obedience classes and Canine Good Citizen class. The certified dogs will go to nursing homes and schools to help brighten up people’s day.

There is an increasing demand in many different venues for therapy dogs. The studies that have been released reveal that dogs improve the emotional and mental well-being of the humans they touch. They can reduce stress and anxiety and provide unconditional love that can boost a person’s mood.

Chuck’s pack of dogs

Chuck’s oldest member of the pack is a chihuahua named Chupacabra, or Chupa for short. He is 14 years old and was given to Chuck by a client who needed help training him. When Chuck showed up to start the training, the client appeared at the door offering Chuck to keep the dog with a check for $800 to cover the training! Chuck couldn’t refuse, but he had to change the dog’s name. It just so happened to be Chucky. So, Chuck renamed him to Chupacabra. Chupa has been part of his pack ever since.

Chuck also has a pit bull named Biggie and a Belgian Malinois named Anya. He and his wife were also fostering a 2 year old Pomeranian Chihuahua mix who was in jeopardy of being euthanized for health reasons. This dog was born with kneecaps on the side of his legs. He was ready to be put up for adoption, but Chuck and his wife decided to keep him. They have named him Fozzy.

The surgery will cost thousands of dollars to fix this condition. He still does great and can walk and doesn’t seem to be in pain. It will be a wait and see approach to determine if the surgery is warranted. Fozzy goes to his “place” when he directed to do so and learned this from the other dogs in his pack. He’s potty trained and has been a great dog so far. What more can you ask for?

Elite K911 offers so many services and fun activities for dogs. From grooming and boarding, to obedience classes and dock diving, there is bound to be something you and your dog can benefit from and enjoy together. For more information, access the Elite K911 website at www.elitek911.com or call 440-666-0749.

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So many people who have dogs have told me that their dog can tell when they aren’t feeling well or when they are sad. It is evident when dogs respond to our happy and excited state of mind. They get excited too; sometimes too excited. However, we are sometimes taken back when our dogs come over and just want to be with us when we are sad and not feeling well. Not every dog has that ability. Some get very anxious when their pet parent isn’t feeling well. As Dr. Jennifer Smith pointed out in the previous episode about the 5 pillars of intelligence in dogs, empathy is one of the pillars. The dogs who do sense that they can make people feel better are the ones who make great therapy dogs. Even if your dog isn’t certified to be a therapy dog, they can still provide much needed comfort during times of stress.

I am a believer in our own personal energy and how it affects other people and animals. I believe that we all project a certain type of energy without even being aware of it. How many times have you walked into a room full of people and you pick up on a certain energy? The energy I am speaking of can reflect the type of person that we are. If we are an anxious person who worries a lot, the energy this person projects is unsettling. On the contrary, if we are relaxed and easy going, our energy can be calm and confident. Dogs are the same way. Dogs who aren’t anxious or overly excited will project that calming energy that makes us feel good. These are the dogs who can make great therapy dogs.

Therapy dog training was not a class that was offered when I worked at Petco. I was not trained in training dogs to be therapy or service dogs. I really didn’t know much about it, except that it existed. However, when I met one of my guests in 2012, Coleen Monroe, early on in my Petco career, while conducting obedience classes, I had a feeling that her young dog, Teddy, had the energy it takes to be a great therapy dog. I loved his energy and he wanted to be with me. He would let me pet him until I had to tend to my other responsibilities in the store. He wasn’t demanding of my attention. He was becoming a well trained dog and Coleen was developing such a strong bond with him. I also met Coleen’s family and Teddy was happy and well behaved with all of them.

I knew things could change because Teddy was a young dog when I started working with them. When dogs mature and when the pet parents are not providing the rules, boundaries, and leadership a dog needs, it can change a dog. As Coleen says in our discussion, she was very determined to have a well trained dog. She had two daughters who brought a lot of friends over to the house, and she wanted her dog to behave appropriately.

I put the bug in her ear that I thought Teddy would make a good therapy dog. This motivated Coleen to have more than just a well trained dog. She started doing some research to find a pet therapy program which was right for her and Teddy. What sealed the deal for her was when she was visiting her Mom in the same hospital where she ended up volunteering, someone brought in a therapy dog. When Coleen saw the whole room light up when the dog came in, she decided that’s what she wanted to do.

My other guest, Lisa Bolognia and her Golden Retriever, Josie, also found me at Petco and signed up for classes in 2015. I got the same feeling again with Josie as I did with Teddy. At that point, I had trained hundreds of dogs, and felt that I knew what it took for a dog to become a good therapy dog. Josie had it! She just exuded love and wanted to share it. And who doesn’t love a well trained Golden Retriever?

Lisa was very motivated, just as Coleen was, to have a well trained dog . Lisa’s Mom was wheelchair bound due to a surgery gone wrong. She did not want her puppy to become a dog that was obnoxiously jumping around her Mom. Josie needed to understand the boundaries and space required by a person in a wheelchair, as well as being trained in all her basic obedience skills. When I suggested to Lisa that Josie would make a great therapy dog, Lisa wasn’t even sure what that was. I arranged for Lisa to meet Coleen. By that time, Coleen and Teddy had passed the therapy test with Pet Partners and were already sharing their love at the hospital. She put Lisa in touch with the coordinator at the time to see what was involved. That was the beginning of Lisa and Josie’s 10 year stint as a therapy dog team at Fairview Hospital.

As far as I was involved in this process, I wanted to train more dogs to become therapy dogs. Dogs thrive on having jobs to do. Therapy dogs help people in countless ways, and likewise, the therapy work is wonderful for the dog. I was able to tell clients more about the process and help them prepare for the test. I went to the testing site to observe the test as it was taking place. I felt that I could prepare my clients better by knowing all of the steps required to pass.

In the picture below is another client, Peg Mondozzi and her Belgian Tervuren, Dralion, who passed the therapy test with flying colors. Peg stayed in the program for two years until she got involved in the show arena with Dralion.

If you are thinking about your dog becoming a therapy dog, you need to be aware that it’s a lot of work besides attending obedience classes. The three teams above all completed basic obedience, advanced obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and therapy dog training classes. I recommend these classes to my clients who wish to pursue this path. Sometimes the puppies start so young that they breeze through the 6 week classes. I recommend repeating a class or two, just for the sake of keeping those skills fresh. Practice makes perfect!

It is also imperative to socialize your dog a lot. This involves bringing your dog with you to as many dog friendly places as possible. The best time to start socializing is after the puppy has been immunized and approved by your vet to be exposed to people, places, and dogs. Socializing involves conditioning your dog to get used to all different types of people, sounds, smells, and other dogs.

Imagine the hustle and bustle of a hospital environment with all the noises, people shouting, and gurneys passing by. For the dogs who pass the test, there will always be a first time for the dog to experience these stimuli. There really is no way of knowing how your dog will respond to this because only therapy dogs are allowed to go in to hospitals. However, if you socialize your dog in stores where there is a lot of activity and noises on the intercom, they shouldn’t have a major issue.

If your dog passes the therapy test and does react negatively to the stimuli in the hospital, there are other places connected with Fairview Hospital to frequent as a therapy dog. One of my clients and her dog who recently passed the test found out that her dog did not react well with the stretchers passing by, especially with an entourage of people surrounding it. She was also nervous around the large food and laundry carts. The solution for this team was to frequent the Moll Cancer Center of Fairview Hospital. They provide much needed emotional support to all of the people in the waiting room.

Socializing also involves establishing rules while out in public. No one likes to greet a dog who jumps, nips or licks them. This is covered in my obedience classes. It is very important. All of these manners require training by qualified professional dog trainers in order to ensure that the dog behaves well while they are out and about in public.

It is not imperative to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test in order to qualify for the Pet Partners test, but it is highly recommended. The Canine Good Citizen test is a 10 step test. Nine of these steps are also on the Pet Partners test. The one step that is on the Canine Good Citizen test but not on the therapy test is the dog being separated and out of site from his handler for 3 minutes. If your dog whines, paces, or barks while being tested for this step, the dog and handler will fail. This can be a deal breaker. This indicates that the dog has separation anxiety. Don’t worry if you don’t pass the first time. It is possible to retest at any time with a qualified evaluator.

The other two steps that occasionally cause the dog and handler to fail are greeting other people without jumping, and doing a pass with a neutral dog without reacting. These are also typically the two steps that teams fail on the Pet Partners test. To find out more about the Canine Good Citizen test, please contact either me at the number below or access the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org.

In my opinion, one of the most important things that isn’t on either test is the relationship between the dog and the handler. As a dog trainer, I am always teaching my clients to solicit a look up to them from the dog. You want the dog to “check in” with their handler. You have to know when your dog is getting stressed or has reached their limit while being out in public. Lisa describes in our discussion how Josie looks up to her for guidance as if to ask what’s next. Dogs live in the moment but they also want to know what’s next. It is up to the handler to communicate that effectively. The handler should be able to interrupt the dog at anytime by this signal or command to look at them. As Coleen mentions in our discussion, the testing isn’t just an evaluation of the dog. It’s a team test and a team evaluation.

Both Lisa and Coleen notice that their dogs are excited about being at the hospital. They know they have a job to do. Dogs love to have a job and making people happy. However, jobs can be exhausting. Lisa says that after making the rounds, which is typically after a half hour, Josie may lay down, start panting, or Lisa just sees that Josie’s eyes look tired. Coleen noticed the same signs in Teddy and was always aware to not push him to the point of exhaustion. You want to keep the dog motivated to want to come again for future visits.

Be your dog’s best advocate. Be proactive, not reactive.

Pet Partners sets up testing dates at least twice a year. It is common not to pass the first time. Coleen found that out when the evaluator went to hug Teddy and he backed up. That disqualified him from passing the test. After practicing the hug with friends and family members and having Teddy sit while being hugged, Teddy and Coleen passed on their second attempt. They stayed in the program for 7 years until Teddy passed away from cancer. They loved making people happy at the hospital by either visiting patients in their rooms, hanging out in the lobby, or mingling with doctors and nurses. Coleen also took Teddy to a high school during exam week as a stress reliever for the students. There are so many places to do therapy work. Simply contact the administration of the business or school you would like to visit.

Lisa and Josie passed the test their first time. Josie was one of the youngest dogs to pass. They have enjoyed their time as a therapy team for the past 10 years visiting patients in the pediatric wing, the pediatric ER, and the high risk pregnancy wing. They typically go in the evenings when there aren’t as many people around and Lisa is done for the day from the demands of her full time job. Lisa finds that Josie’s presence makes the the patients talk about the dogs that they have or had, and it takes the focus off of what they are experiencing while being in the hospital. Sometimes, they just hang out in the lobby and people come up and want to pet Josie. So many people are surprised that dogs are even allowed in a hospital, and love to greet Josie. There are times when patients aren’t feeling well and don’t care for a visit, but the staff is always ready and willing to get a few pets in with Josie.

There are several therapy dog organizations available. I am most familiar with the Pet Partners program. Here in Cleveland, Pet Partners is associated with Fairview Park Hospital. They ask their teams to frequent the hospital twice a month. However, once you pass their program, you are able to qualify for therapy work in hospice care, schools, libraries and nursing homes to name a few. There are also dog trainers who have their own therapy program and testing. Chuck Stella, owner of Elite K911, and Gary Flynn who has been a guest on my show, have their own therapy programs.

Coleen is now the Caring Canines Program Coordinator for Fairview Hospital. She took over this responsibility two years ago. Coleen will help those interested in the program by advising them on training, required paperwork and online registration, and then mentoring the team after they pass the therapy test. Coleen then accompanies the team as they walk through the hospital and visit with patients to make sure they know the proper protocol. When the last stage is complete, then the team is on their own and can visit whenever it is permitted. Caring Canines recognizes other therapy dog organizations so that if you pass another organization’s therapy test, you may be eligible to do therapy work at Fairview Hospital under the care of Coleen and Caring Canines. Coleen’s contact info is below.

Coleen is developing some new opportunities for her 24 volunteers. One of the programs is Caring Canines on Call. Patients can now request a visit by a therapy dog. Coleen will send out an email to all of the volunteers and whoever can grant the patient’s request will pay a visit with their dog. There are also events at the hospital like Nurses Week and Pharmacy Week where the therapy dogs mingle with the staff and patients.

Therapy work can be so fulfilling and gratifying to know that all of your hard work in training your dog has paid off. Not every dog is a therapy dog candidate. However, when you do have that special dog who inherently knows that their presence creates so much happiness, there’s nothing like it when you witness it. Love isn’t just a one way street. Dogs feel it too, and when you experience this, it touches you emotionally and deeply in such a unique way that words fail to describe it.

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My guest, Dr. Jennifer Smith, has been in the education field for 46 years and is a business owner specializing in trauma-informed behavior. Her love of animals (dogs in particular) has been constant in her life. So much so, that she was on her way to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine at The Ohio State, until she changed her mind. When Jennifer discovered how dogs can change human behavior and humans can change dog behavior, the desire to study human behavior prevailed over the desire to study dog behavior. She noticed that interactions between dogs and humans could be silent but very powerful. She wanted to get to the root of this soulful connection between the two.

Jennifer has a masters in psychology and special education teaching. She pursued her doctorate in psychology, specializing in self-injurious behaviors and functional assessments. Delving into this field at the Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis in California opened Jennifer’s world to figuring out the reasons why certain individuals with a limited skillset in certain environments exhibit particular behaviors. This newly acquired knowledge helped Jennifer bridge the two passions in her life - human and dog behavior.

Jennifer managed a way to use her degrees in education while following her passion for dogs. Working with dogs with challenging behaviors and working with people with disabilities is very much aligned, according to Jennifer. The procedures and interventions are the same. The functional assessment process is the same. This helps with understanding the reasons behind the behaviors manifesting in both humans and dogs so that the interventions can be therapeutic.

I find in working with my clients that trying to identify the root of the behavior helps assist in developing a rehabilitation plan. If you only try to treat the symptoms, you will only end up putting a bandaid on the problem. It will only rear its ugly head again and again down the road.

Whenever I help a client and their dog in the Cleveland area, and the client’s profession is in the special education field, they invariably know Dr. Jennifer Smith. She was the head of the behavior and curriculum department at the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities until she retired almost 12 years ago. These clients were either trained by her or participated in a seminar where Jennifer lectured. All of these clients understand my approach and how I assess their dogs. They get it. There is a certain way to communicate across the species which is similar to communicating with individuals with limited language skills.

I will often compare dog behavior to human behavior for the sole purpose of trying to make my assessment of a client’s dog more relatable. I do not have a degree in Animal Behavior. However, there are patterns and common reactions to stimuli in dogs that are very similar to those in humans. I was a little unsure about making these comparisons so as not to imply that humans are like dogs or vice versa, because I didn’t want to offend people. Also, I had no scientific research to back up my comparisons. I find myself often telling my clients “Think about what the dog is feeling and interpreting right now”. Hence, my choice for the title of this podcast, “From A Dog’s Eye View.” After talking to Jennifer, I feel validated in the explanation of my approach to assessing any given dog.

Jennifer combined her expertise in functional assessments of individuals for Cuyahoga County with training and rehabilitating dogs through her connection with It’s A Dog’s Life. Since I have known Jennifer, she was always rehabbing dogs and blending them into her own pack of dogs. As she was performing in-home assessments with families of children with disabilities, she was also doing in-home family visits with dogs that had various issues. Wherever the behavior presented itself was where Jennifer would be. If it meant going to a grocery store, that’s where she would set up her meeting.

Not only is it necessary to observe the person or dog closely, but you also have to know what you are looking at. Observing something as simple as prolonged eye contact that causes a reaction, or as complex as the frantic or intentional movement of an individual or dog, can help identify the root of a particular behavior.

‘“We don't know what it's like to hear, see or especially smell at the levels that dogs can.” - Dr. Jennifer Smith

To elaborate on this subject of observing and working with dogs who are triggered by something in a particular environment, I will work with a dog wherever the behavior is happening. Dogs do not generalize. What that means is that if your dog barks at strangers at their own front door, it doesn’t mean that they will bark at strangers at your friend’s front door. I need to see the dog in their own environment and how he reacts to certain triggers. It is equally important to observe how the pet parent reacts and what their body language is like while the dog is in the middle of the reactivity. It takes teamwork to rehab a dog, and guiding the pet parent to handle the dog appropriately is crucial to the entire rehab process.

The difficulty with the rehabilitation process is always when you return a dog to his pet parents. It is up to the pet parents to understand and change their own behavior because we, as the adults, are the agent of change. It's the same in schools. If you want your kindergartner's behavior of throwing books at other kids to change, they aren’t going to magically wake up one morning and make today the day that they won’t throw books anymore. Adults have to guide the child to an alternate behavior that is more appropriate in order for the child to change. I always love to hear from my clients, “You’re training us humans, not the dogs.” That’s exactly right!

You must change things up because whatever you were doing wasn’t working. This is a lot easier said than done. According to Jennifer, on any given day, our frustration level is higher than on other days. Our reactivity to issues can be more intense. We’re rarely on the same emotional level. This inconsistency can be very confusing and create an unstable environment for the dog. The dog can’t figure out all of these changes. We become unpredictable, and in their eyes, unsafe. I advise clients that life happens, and you just have to try your best to push your life issues aside while you are in communication with your dog.

“A lot of individuals who have reactive dogs that are fear-based, have trouble because they themselves aren't being perceived as safe.” - Dr. Jennifer Smith

Jennifer has had a wide variety of breeds as family dogs. From German Shepherds and French Briards to Shih Tzus and Chihuahuas. However, Jennifer’s dream as a little girl was to have a poodle. She came to know that poodles were a complex breed that would require more time and effort to do the breed justice. She knew the common traits of the various breeds she rehabbed in her home, but she needed to learn more about the poodle. She felt that she needed a higher skillset and needed to mature in her approaches to working with this sensitive and very intelligent breed.

The wait was worth it and it happened at the right time in her life. That time came several years ago when she had the opportunity to meet her longtime idol, and now mentor, Joseph Vergnetti of Dassin Farms, who is a highly respected breeder in the poodle world. Joseph had heard that Jennifer did temperament training and testing. He said he had a poodle for her. This particular poodle was not ready yet for the show ring because she had some quirks to be ironed out. When Joseph showed Jennifer this beautiful, quirky black poodle, Jennifer was weak in the knees. She named this poodle Scarlet. At last, her dreams came true!

Jennifer exposed Scarlet to many different places and people to build Scarlet’s self confidence. Jennifer believes that upon conception, the temperament of the dog is set. Then, you add personality on top of that. This is where the pet parent plays a big part. It’s how we, humans react to what dogs are reacting to that can shape a dog into becoming a fearful, cautious dog or a confident, polite dog. Scarlet has a very reactive bark and Jennifer just has to be very aware of the environment they are in at the moment and be Scarlet’s best advocate. When Scarlet’s frustration is high, her skillset is low. Always being aware of this helps maintain a balanced approach to any given situation so as not to overwhelm her.

Instead of continuing to show Scarlet, Jennifer decided to breed her with a sire from Joseph’s line of poodles. In fact, Scarlet was pregnant when Jennifer showed her for the last time. Joseph picked the perfect sire for a dog with Scarlet’s temperament. She had a litter of nine puppies, but two of them died. Scarlet was amazing and knew what to do, but Jennifer and her husband were a nervous wreck. They had experts on stand-by to help out if anything went wrong. In the long run, Jennifer and Tom just watched this beautiful miracle take place as Scarlet did what came naturally. There is a definite sense of pride when whelping a litter and contributing positively to their impressionable first couple of months. On top of that, what an honor and privilege knowing that you had a part in this process, especially when one of the puppies becomes a winner in dog shows. There is such a sense of pride after studying the poodle line, taking care of them, and socializing them properly.

It is a lot of work raising puppies and socializing them and then ultimately finding good homes for them. Jennifer and Tom couldn’t just let them all go, They had to keep one and named her Chapel. She is now two years old and is currently living and working with a professional handler. The hard work is so worth it when they hear back from the families who adopted Scarlet’s puppies, that everyone loves them so much. That’s why they do it!

Everyone thinks that poodles have a French connection. They do in that they are France’s national dog. However, history states that they originated in Germany and were used as waterfowl retrievers. They were used as hunting dogs who had to endure retrieving birds in very cold water. Therefore, poodles can have a very high prey drive. This hunting skill is actually making a comeback. Poodles are being used more often today as gun dogs by hunters.

Poodles are excellent retrievers and swimmers, and are very athletic. Their body awareness is phenomenal. They are very quick and agile. They can leap up and twist their body in the air and still stick the landing. The prey drive in Scarlet for live animals is more prominent than in Jennifer’s other poodles. However, unlike her dachshunds who are so hard wired to hunt, Jennifer is able to recall her poodles with a higher success rate while they are in the process of retrieving. If her long haired dachshunds pick up a scent, there is no chance of recalling them. They are that focused.

The breeders of poodles that Jennifer is familiar with have bred out any health issues, so there really aren’t many health concerns. There is some risk of bloat, which is when the stomach flips and cuts off circulation to the rest of the organs. There really is no rhyme or reason for this condition, but there is an operation to prevent the stomach from flipping. Please refer to my previous interview with Dr. Randy Hutchison from Animal Clinic Northview about this very important subject.

The poodle is unique and has certain traits that are hardwired in them. When conducting intelligence tests on poodles, they always score high in the following pillars of intelligence:

* memory

* cunning

* reasoning

* communication

* empathetic

Their memory is off the charts and it has been Jennifer’s experience that their memory is phenomenal, not because they're worried and need to know, but because they want to know. They want to use that to either work with you or work for their benefit. They are a softer breed and because they do have a memory, they will carry a grudge. Most dogs can remember things but pretty much every moment is a blank slate for them. With a poodle, depending on where that memory is going to sit with them, they can hold a grudge.

Jennifer is constantly amazed at how they can reason things out, sit back, and make a choice about certain things. When dealing with Scarlet, she is going to do what is best for her. However, Jennifer’s male poodle, Blue, will reason out what is going to keep the relationship with Jennifer going in a positive fashion. Her third poodle, Chapel, is very energetic, and exhibits her cunning skills by going into another room, turning the lights on and off and waiting for Jennifer and her husband to move in there with her. All while doing this with a smile!

Another pillar of intelligence that the poodle scores high on is their ability to communicate by facial recognition and the patterns of a human’s face. This trait is unique to the species. They are one of the only species that can watch the changes in people's faces, pay attention to that, and then interpret it. Jennifer has observed what makes the poodle stand out from the other breeds is that they want to listen to you as they study changes in your facial features, but they also want to be listened to. They care that you are listening to them not because they are demanding your attention, but they do so in a manner that they have important things to say. They want to engage you in playing a reasoning or cunning game and make a definite contribution to it. Jennifer finds this to be very unique with this breed. Even if the communication between Jennifer and her poodles is silent, they are still communicating with each other as they observe any change in your body language or positioning.

The last pillar of intelligence in assessing a dog is empathy. In order to be empathetic, it is necessary to understand yourself and your own journeys. You can then understand someone else’s and how they came to be a certain way. Poodles always score perfectly in empathy tests. They are not off the charts high as if they are overly concerned and they can't function unless they know you're in a good place. They score high because they care about you. They also have a great sense of themselves.

“Poodles want to listen and be listened to. They want to be cared for but they also care about you. They are interesting, but they also want to be interested.” - Jennifer Smith

You can do a test with blinking to see how empathetic your dog is. Have someone mark down how many times you blink. Sit in a silent room for five minutes with your dog. Just sit, don't make eye contact with the dog and blink when you blink naturally. Poodles will mimic your blinking.

One of the most popular breeds today is the doodle. The most common are Labradoodles and Golden Doodles. The wonderfully social family dog that Labradors and Golden Retrievers are was the reason why breeders wanted to combine that happy go lucky temperament with an intelligent poodle. Hardly anyone really knows about the poodle breed. What everyone says is that their coat doesn’t shed and that they are very intelligent. As you now know, there is so much more to this incredible breed called the poodle!

I sometimes think that I am learning about a new doodle every week. There are so many breeds that are mixed with the poodle. Doodles are very attractive to prospective pet parents because they have the intelligence of the poodle and they supposedly don’t shed. These are the two traits that the majority of my clients find appealing. Inevitably, there will be multiple doodles in an obedience class of 6 dogs. I love the trainability of these dogs because they are usually very intelligent, but then I have to learn what else the poodle was bred with when I see traits that aren’t so common.

Some pet parents may meet the mother and father that were mated to produce a litter of doodles, and some may not. However, as Jennifer comments about the doodles, the sourcing of the two different breeds can be suspect. There may be a reactive gene that goes back several generations in either the poodle line or whatever the dog is mixed with, and it appears in one of the offspring. This can happen to any breed, but when you are mixing two different breeds, the chances that certain traits are not bred out are greater than if it is a singular breed.

People expect that they may see traits of various dogs in the rescue dog they adopt from a shelter. Doodles are almost viewed nowadays like a purebred instead of the mixed breed that they are. Breeders of doodles are demanding the same dollar amount as a purebred. Jennifer advises to be aware of reputable breeders and those who are out to make a quick buck. She knows what is involved in maintaining a prestigious line of dogs. Negative traits should be disclosed and then bred out.

I will never forget a woman who thought she was getting a purebred Bernese Mountain dog. The breeder told her as much. There happened to be another Bernese Mountain Dog puppy in the same class. They had the same tri-coloring but the one clearly was not a purebred. Also, the temperament of that puppy was not calm and happy go lucky. In my opinion, that puppy was mixed with something and sold as a purebred. The problem is with this scenario, which I have sadly seen played out many times, is that the pet parent has already bonded with the puppy and they don’t want to re-home him, but the puppy is a terror and has obvious issues. This makes it very difficult to live with this puppy as he matures. Now the family is faced with a real dilemma: to keep or re-home the puppy.

There was also a very nice family who knew that they were getting a bernedoodle. They had intentions of training him to be an emotional support dog for their son. The puppy was absolutely adorable looking, However, he chewed through and destroyed their family couch and chairs. It was very difficult to get and keep the dog’s attention. They did everything that I asked them to do as far as establishing structure in his daily life by setting boundaries, giving him plenty of exercise from a leadership role, and disciplining appropriately. As the puppy grew, he started to bite everyone in the family. I had to refer this case out to another trainer who was experienced in aggression. That trainer tried everything and the puppy was getting better. Then, after he matured, he attacked the son who was hoping to have him as an emotional support dog. It was so bad that they had to get rid of the dog. I think he went to live on a farm…….

After having written about two cases where the doodle mix did not go well, I have to counter those stories by stating that I have met an extraordinary amount of wonderful doodles who have made great family pets. Some have done amazing jobs at therapy work and others have been the dog that everyone always wanted.

My goal in doing this particular episode about poodles is twofold. One is to make pet parents aware of the poodle breed and how their impeccable breeding preserves unique traits that make it so special. Secondly, to help people understand better why their doodle might be doing certain behaviors. Is the behavior due to the poodle breed or the other breed it was mixed with? After talking to Jennifer, I think about some of my client’s doodles whose traits are definitely more poodle than whatever they are mixed with. Purebred poodles are not for first-time owners. They demand a lot of care, not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Jennifer has described the poodle with enthusiasm for the breed. They truly are a magnificent dog!

As Jennifer contemplates retirement this year, she has plenty to keep busy with her own pack of dogs. Just taking care of her 3 standard poodles and one miniature poodle is enough for one person. Jennifer trains and grooms them to show standards, but overall, they are her family pets that are loved dearly. On top of that, she and her husband Tom have 3 long haired dachshunds and Tom is involved in the show and breeding arena. At any given time, they will also have no more than 2 dogs that Jennifer will train or rehab, who will be integrated in to their daily home lives. I don’t think she will lack for things to do!

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  E-collars (electronic collars) or shock collars are used in dog training for different reasons. Some dog trainers use them almost exclusively, and others use them for specific purposes. My knowledge and experience is limited with e-collars due to my background. As I have mentioned before, I was trained at Petco. E-collar training was not part of their program. However, I met a lot of clients during my time as a trainer there and even more clients when I started my own business who would tell me that they tried an e-collar and it didn’t work. I could not offer any assistance or feedback, even though e-collars were sold in the store. My lack of knowledge and inability to help, motivated me to learn about them.

Luckily, I know Gary Flynn, from The Dog Advocate, from our days at Petco. The more I got to know Gary, the more I knew that he was the one I wanted to learn from. I knew that he had used e-collars before in his professional career before working at Petco. I had a lot to learn when I started my own dog training business, so learning about e-collars was not a priority. There were so many other issues to focus on first. It wasn’t until about 3 years ago that I felt it was time to learn about e-collars so that I could help my clients more.

I had a sneaky suspicion that the whole reason people weren’t having success with them was because they weren’t being used correctly. My suspicion was right. As I was in the process of being trained by Gary, I realized right away that an e-collar was a serious training tool. I could understand how it could be used incorrectly. As with so many things that I learn about, I need to know everything I can about a certain subject until I feel comfortable advising people about it.

In order to learn about e-collars, I knew that I needed hands-on experience. So, I brought my dog, Ebi, to Gary for many sessions until I felt I had a good foundation to start practicing using the collar on my own. I also was at a point with Ebi where learning something new would be a challenge for her. After I realized that using an e-collar was not harmful to the dog if used correctly, I enjoyed learning about it and working with my dog in a new way. I was getting a little bored with challenging her with the basic obedience skills at long distances in different locations.

The timing of this new tool was perfect for me. Ebi was 4 years old. I remember telling Gary that I felt that Ebi was getting bored with the same old skills that I tried challenging her with. Ebi would do what I asked her and was very reliable in her skills, but she just looked bored. Gary actually told me that I was the boring one! I didn’t give her enough incentive to keep her engaged with me. At that point, I had pretty much abandoned rewarding her with treats. Gary reminded me that everyone, including dogs, needs a “paycheck” every now and then when they are working. So, I brought the treats back in to my routine, giving them to her every now and then, while working with her.

I brought an e-collar that was recommended by a different dog trainer to my first session with Gary. We quickly discovered that the lowest stimulus and even the vibration setting on that collar was too much for Ebi. She looked around anxiously wondering where it came from. That is not the type of reaction you want to start off with from your dog. Instead, you should be looking for a flick of the ear or a turn of the head. When I returned for my next lesson, I brought the e-collar with me that Gary recommended - The mini Educator. (www.educatorcollars.com)

As Gary describes in our interview, the reaction that he is looking for when testing out a dog’s sensitivity to stimulus, the dog should be a little annoyed that maybe a little bug flew by. Then, they should quickly recover back to being calm. When Gary tried out the new e-collar on Ebi, he adjusted it to a very low setting. She was just laying down in his backyard. She responded in a more acceptable way this time. She actually flicked her ear. I saw this but didn’t realize that this is a classic sign that the dog felt the stimulus. When Gary experiences a dog’s sensitive reaction to the stimulus, he carefully notes what the dog was doing when he interrupted him with it. Maybe the dog was in the process of passively eating a treat or chewing on a branch. The stimulus could make the dog a little hyper sensitive at that moment if interrupting an active behavior. It is very important when you are testing out the sensitivity (or lack of it) to be mindful of what you are interrupting the dog from doing.

I really had no intentions of using the e-collar as a permanent training tool on Ebi. However, in order for me to advise clients on my opinion about this type of training,

I had to master:

* manipulating the various functions of the remote control

* the timing of the stimulus

* choosing the right degree of stimulus depending on the situation

* recognizing the subtle body language from Ebi with the varying degrees of stimulus

It took me almost a year of working with Ebi every day until I felt comfortable using the e-collar. I worked on getting her excited about putting the e-collar on. Fun things were going to happen when she got the collar on. The collar had to fit tight enough, and the prongs had to be long enough to get through all of her fur. If the collar is too loose, then the stimulus won’t be as effective. I found myself turning up the power higher and higher so that she would feel something. I solved that issue by making a mark by the correct hole in the collar to guarantee the right fit. Proper fitting is imperative to the e-collar functioning correctly.

I worked with Ebi in my backyard to learn her body language when I had the setting too low or too high for a particular application. I started out with turning the power on low, but just high enough to where I would get that flick of the ear while commanding her to do a basic “Sit”. I had to get used to the timing of turning it on and off. Pressing the power on means the dog is in the process of executing the command. Releasing the power means the command has just been executed. Then, we progressed to doing “Sit” out on our walk. I had to turn up the power a little bit more now because there were more distractions on the walk. Figuring out how much to increase the stimulus given the situation was the most difficult part for me, but I figured it out.

I have found that the most common reason people purchase e-collars is to try to stop an issue they are having with their dog. For example, dogs may jump on people when guests come to the house. The pet parent purchases an e-collar, puts it on the dog, and zaps the dog when he jumps on a guest at the front door. One reaction the dog may have to this shock is he may stop jumping and the pet parent thinks the e-collar worked. The pet parent never showed the dog an alternate behavior in that scenario - only that he feels a shock when he jumps on people at that particular door. If this is done enough times, the dog may begin to be afraid of people entering their house through that door again.

If the pet parent does the same thing while out and about in the community, the dog will begin associating that people approaching them is a negative thing. All the pet parent was trying to accomplish was to stop the dog from jumping. What ended up happening is now the dog is afraid of people at the front door and out in public. A new problem was created by trying to solve the original problem.

Another reaction a dog can have to being shocked while jumping on guests is the dog may run away. The dog hasn’t been conditioned to know what to do when he feels the shock. The dog stopped jumping, but again, now the dog won’t go near that door. He didn’t like the feeling of being shocked, he had no idea what he was supposed to do when he felt it, he didn’t know where it came from and consequently ran away to get away from that feeling. Once again, in the pet parent’s mind, the e-collar worked. From the dog’s mind, this feeling left him very unsure and confused. The feeling was negative, his reaction was negative, but his pet parent was happy.

If the pet parent is also using the e-collar like this for a different issue, even more uncertainty will develop and fear will set in. The dog won’t know at any given time if he is going to feel that shock again. This can make the dog neurotic where he becomes afraid of everything. I have met dogs like this who don’t trust anything or anyone. I can’t say conclusively that it is because of the misuse of the e-collar, but I feel that it can be a contributing factor.

In all of these reactions from the dog, the stimulus setting could have been too high and no alternate behavior was offered. Also, there was no interaction between the pet parent and the dog. They were expecting the shock to solve the problem and they didn’t have to do anything else. This is the exact scenario that Gary and I refer to as using the e-collar as a “Magic NO button”. You never want to leave the dog hanging in blind punishment. You always want to correct and then redirect with a more appropriate and already known behavior for that situation. To top that all off, most people start yelling at the dog to stop jumping. Any kind of verbal reaction from the pet parent can only add to the excited state the dog is already in, which exacerbates the problem.

Sometimes, pet parents will threaten the dog by showing them the remote and that they are going to receive a shock if they don’t behave. Now the dog is really uncertain about their pet parent’s energy with that threat and whether or not they may feel a shock. This can develop into neurosis. Deconditioning this behavior out of the dog takes so much longer than creating the neurotic behavior. So, be very mindful of how the dog sees this scenario being played out - hence, the name of my podcast “From A Dog’s Eye View”

Threatening a dog with a negative consequence impedes a relationship of trust and respect.

Instead of using the e-collar as a “Magic NO button”, it should be used as a conditioning tool. The dog should already know their basic commands and even at an advanced level where they can reliably perform basic skills at longer distances, longer duration, and with many different types of distractions. Adding an e-collar at this point becomes more of a conditioning tool that will correct or remind the dog to stay at even greater distances, for longer periods of time with any type of distraction.

Distractions are key. This means you are exposing your dog to many different places, people, animals, sounds and inanimate objects. Just because your dog did not have a reaction to a horse, doesn’t mean that he won’t have a reaction to a Macaw. For example, I was handling Ebi during Pirates Week at Put-In-Bay. I saw a man approaching me with two Macaws on a perch. I had no idea if this man was experienced or not. Turns out by talking to him that he was very experienced. He was associated with some kind of wildlife reserve. He knew his birds and he told me they weren’t showing him any signs of distress. He kneeled down so that he and the birds were at Ebi’s eye level. I was nervous because I didn’t want Ebi having her prey drive activated towards them and view them as a delicious meal!

The picture below was taken at the very beginning of the encounter. I was holding Ebi back but then she retreated a little and showed that she was no threat to the birds. I immediately let up on the tension. Her eyes and body posture were more submissive and not stiff and laser focused on them. It never was, but I wanted to make sure. I was relieved and happy that Ebi was such a good girl and that my judgment call was the right one! However, you never know how your dog is going to react to something in their environment for the first time. It is best to proceed with caution and just be smart about the situation at hand and to know your dog’s body language before getting that close to someone else’s prized possessions.

It is imperative that the dog learn in the beginning of his training that when he is commanded to perform the behavior from his handler, the power turns on (very low stimulus level). As soon as he completes the behavior, the power turns off. The handler must be extremely consistent in this process and can’t let up on the stimulus too soon. The dog quickly learns how to turn off the power. This type of conditioning is true biomechanical feedback.

The handler needs to be trained to recognize signs of stress or compliance from the dog to know what level of stimulus to set the remote control to. This sliding scale is very complex.

The handler must always keep 3 factors in mind:

* distractions

* duration

* distance

For example, if the distractions are high, as is the case when the handler puts the dog in a down stay 25’ away in the middle of a crowd of people, the stimulus may have to be set higher than normal and implemented if the dog breaks his stay. The handler may also not keep the dog in a very long stay or go as far away from the dog, given the situation, unless he has done this many times before. If the dog breaks his stay and the stimulus is set too high for the correction, he may start running away. Now, you have to rely on the recall at such a distance while the dog is in fear mode. Dogs lose their peripheral vision and capability to hear things clearly when under high stress. Plus, most likely, this dog is not leashed, so now you have a loose, fearful dog amongst a lot of people. This is just one example of how e-collars are not for amateur handlers. They must be coached by a professional dog trainer.

The example above also emphasizes how essential it is for you to be important to your dog for the right reason. If you are the leader that your dog needs you to be, your dog will respect the boundaries you set and will want to please you. If you are effectively communicating to your dog in a consistent, positive, and clear way, you will get reliable behaviors in return. An e-collar is a communication tool. If your relationship with your dog is not based on structure, with effective communication as its foundation, the e-collar will only confuse and frustrate your dog.

I do not train pet parents how to use e-collars. After my training with Gary, I discovered how serious of a tool it is. I would require a contract with the client that would state that after the initial e-collar training of the dog and the handler, I would have to be in touch with this client for the lifetime of the dog. There is so much possibility for things to develop in a negative way that I would hate for the dog to be affected by handler errors. Gary only trains clients with e-collars who are professional clients. I have seen Gary’s dogs and met his clients. They all are well balanced dogs and great handlers.

Gary uses and has used e-collars to train protection dogs, hunting dogs, and search and rescue dogs. These are application-specific cases. Again, all of these dogs are trained with an advanced obedience skill set first, and the e-collar fine tunes the specific requirements for that application.

To witness a well trained protection dog knowing what to do when the power is on and when it is off, is an amazing thing. I was very fortunate to experience one of Gary’s professional dogs, a Belgian Malinois named Abby, first hand, doing bite work. I put the sleeve on my arm, commanded the dog to charge me and bite the sleeve. I thrashed her around a bit, and then commanded her to release - all in German. Right after that, Gary told me to caress her with both hands around her face. Now that’s what I call a well trained dog!!! I was not fearful because I had seen Gary work with this dog before and saw what she was capable of.

Just look at Abby’s teeth in the picture above! That’s what I had charging at me when I was wearing the sleeve. It should be enough to keep anyone away from attacking her handler. While she is in this protection mode, anyone who approaches Ken will get attacked. The only one who will enjoy it is Abby! Notice that Ken has total control over Abby. It may not look that way because the leash is loose. Pictures that are circulated around the internet usually show the handler holding the dog back on a taut line. Gary does not train dogs that way. That’s not a real life situation. If Ken was in his home, chances are he is not holding on to Abby with a leash. If someone were to attack him, Abby would put her life on the line for Ken because she was trained that way and with no tension on the leash. That’s a real life application. Abby is not a vicious dog. She is a professional dog that is always under demonstrable control of her handler.

Gary is an avid outdoorsman. He loves to hunt. He had two German short hair pointers. One passed away a couple of years ago, but both dogs were trained on their basic obedience skills and then on an e-collar to be hunting dogs. It is important to know the breed and their instincts - what motivates them. There are also behaviors that the dogs will demonstrate naturally and you gear your training around that.

Gary can train the dog to retrieve the kill, refrain from chasing the potential kill, and even go ahead and kill the animal. The recall is extremely important when working in this environment. If you have commanded the dog to go find and retrieve the kill and you know that there is a road up ahead, the instincts of a German Shorthair is to continue to pursue until they find it. Even in this intense pursuit, the dog must return back to their handler for their safety. The dog is far enough away that they can’t hear their handler or they are in such a state of mind where they don’t hear commands (auditory exclusion). Gary uses a special combination of vibrations to make them return back to him.

Using an e-collar as a conditioning tool as opposed to a “Magic NO button”, can open up opportunities for you and your dog. If you enjoy adventuring outdoors, e-collar training can help fulfill your dog’s instincts by teaching them things like hunting or searching for things. If you want to challenge your dog for a new type of training so that they can stay at distances of say a football field, e-collar training can be fun. I can’t stress enough that it is so important to qualify the trainer you choose. Find out how they use the collar and what their experience is. If I wanted to add e-collar training to my repertoire, I would have to train many different breeds, in many different scenarios, before I could say that I am proficient in e-collar training. However, I do believe that I can advise my clients much better now that I have some hands-on experience.

The majority of dog owners do not give their dog the job that they were bred to do. However, if you have a hunting dog and you would like to train your dog to fulfill those instincts, contact a professional dog trainer who has a lot of experience in this field. You may not be a fan of hunting, but your Foxhound or Vizsla surely is! It is so rewarding to watch your dog be the dog he was born to be…. one more way that shows us how dogs are so amazing!

When you bring your puppy home for the first time, it is one of the most exciting events in your lifetime. You have made a decision to add to your existing pack, and I congratulate you for doing so. One of the first items you will need to purchase is a leash and a collar or harness. How to decide on which one can be overwhelming. Just as overwhelming as what cereal to choose in the cereal aisle at the grocery store. There are so many choices! Sometimes, you just go by what friends and family have recommended. Other times, you may be influenced by an ad on social media. This episode is to clarify how certain walking tools work, and to help you choose the right one for you and your dog.

When we pick up our puppy from a breeder, most likely, the breeder has put some kind of colored ribbon around the puppy’s neck to differentiate which puppy is which. The puppy is somewhat used to wearing something around its neck, but that doesn’t mean that the puppy will be totally willing to have you put a snap or buckle collar on them. How you introduce this collar is very important to the puppy positively associating this “thing” with something good.

There will be some of you reading this post saying to yourselves that your puppy was absolutely fine with you putting the collar on. As a dog trainer, anything you introduce to your puppy should be well thought out in advance how you will be presenting it before you just go barreling in and forcing a new item on them.

You ALWAYS want to create positive association with introducing anything new to your dog.

Introducing a collar or harness

The process of introducing a collar or harness to a rescue dog is the same as introducing them to a puppy. Rescue dogs may already be used to wearing a collar, but most likely you will be choosing an additional collar or harness for walking purposes. Whichever tool you decide, the introduction will be the same as if it was a puppy.

First, take your time with the whole process of showing the dog their new collar. If you are relaxed and mildly excited, your dog will be too. You want to create some excitement over the collar or harness, but not too much. Get them interested in what is about to happen by feeding them small treats. Then, let them sniff it to their heart’s content. Pet the dog with the collar or harness while giving them treats, being mindful of not letting straps from a harness dangle in front of them. This can trigger a fear response. If the dog is still engaged and not shying away, use some treats while showing them how it snaps together. Sometimes the sound of the snap can trigger some fear in them.

If all is progressing positively, ideally you want them to come to you to put the collar or harness on. Again, lure them with treats. You may need to ask a family member to feed the treats while you put the collar or harness on and snap it. When it is on, you will have to adjust it so that it is “two fingers snug”. If introducing a harness, every strap should be two fingers snug. What this means is that you can fit two fingers between their neck or body and the collar or strap of the harness. This is to ensure that the dog cannot back up and escape out of it. Also, fit the collar high up on the neck, right behind the ears. This prevents the collar from damaging the trachea when they do pull (how to prevent dogs from pulling on a walk will be a separate episode).

I want the dog to be excited about their new collar or harness, but not so excited that I am chasing the dog around the house just to get it on. Remember, you are setting an example of how this walking tool is going to be associated with something. That something is going to be your way of eventually controlling the dog on a leash.

Now that the collar or harness is on, take the dog outside to play or play with the dog inside the house. Pretend that this is a huge accomplishment and make sure the dog knows that you are happy that they are wearing their first walking tool. Depending on the reaction of the dog, just leave the collar or harness on them for a very short period of time.

Dogs usually don’t react adversely to collars, but they can with harnesses. There are only two harnesses that I recommend, which I explain below. Harnesses are made to have dogs haul things. The majority of harnesses clip on the back of the dog. It is impossible to walk a medium to large sized dog in the heel position with this type of harness. It is set up to have the handler behind the dog and to be pulled. If there is tension on the leash, the dog will resist that tension by pulling forward. Now, who is taking whom for a walk??

Harnesses can be big and bulky and it’s a very foreign feeling for the dog to have something on their back. Some dogs will freeze and not want to move forward. I have seen way too many harnesses that are improperly fit - usually too loose. This is a perfect setup for the dog to wiggle out of it and run away. I have heard of too many stories like this. One dog actually got hit by a car when he ran away. The handler was pulling back on the leash, creating the resistance for the dog to move forward. He wiggled out of it, panicked, and ran in the street and got hit by a car. He was okay, but it involved an expensive vet bill and some recovery time for the dog. Luckily, nothing was broken.

Collars are great for hanging identification tags. They are also a way to quickly grab the dog if needed. I don’t recommend leaving a collar with tags on in the crate, especially if you are leaving the house for a period of time. Always check the integrity of the collar. A cloth buckle collar can begin to fray at the eyelets or the buckle can start to break down. If you have any doubts, buy a new one. There are other collars with the 3 prong plastic snap that are very sturdy too. This is just a preference issue. The most important thing to remember about the collar is that it is fit correctly - two fingers snug!

It is worth noting that collars are great to leave on the dog during the day while you are potty training. You can attach the leash to a collar a lot quicker than trying to put a harness on a very wiggly puppy.

Leashes

I always tell my clients to purchase a cheap leash while training a puppy. As much as you want to discourage your puppy from biting the leash, they inevitably will. I will explain more in detail how to stop your puppy from biting the leash in a future episode where I will talk about “The Walk”. When the puppy has been trained how to walk, that’s when you can invest in a leash that will last a long time. Leather leashes are my favorite. They are comfortable and don’t slip in my hand, and they last many years. Gary Flynn, who has been on my podcast before, likes the BioThane leash. It is generally more durable than leather, and is waterproof. However, it is vulnerable to bite marks. Make sure you have worked with your dog to stop biting the leash before investing in a BioThane leash. In my next episode, we will show you this type of leash. It is very durable and comfortable in your hands. These leashes are not sold in most pet stores, but are sold online.

The important thing to keep in mind when deciding on a leash is how comfortable it is when your hand is wrapped around it. Remember, I do not promote walking dogs in front of you where you are just holding on to the handle. Walks in the woods and “sniffaris”are different than walking in a heel position. I will discuss this further in my episode about “The Walk”.

In the video below, you will see how I recommend holding on to a leash. Note that my left hand is grabbing the leash over the leash as if I am holding on to handlebars on a bike. My hand is right by the clip so that the dog does not have much leeway to go where they want to go. It is up to the handler to take the dog over to an area to sniff or eliminate, not the dog leading you over there.

YOU are taking the dog for a walk, not the dog taking you for a walk.

In the picture below, from top to bottom, the first leash is a small 6’ leather leash with a small clip. This is suitable for small dogs. The clip is small and can attach to the ring on a very small collar. You want to make sure that you don’t weigh down your small dog with a heavy, bulky clip. The leash underneath is the leash I use for my 100+ pound Leonberger. The clip is bigger and sturdy enough if she were to lunge. I have rather small hands so the width of this leash is perfect for me. Below this leash is a two handled leash that is very comfortable to grab with your bare hands.

Some people really like double handled leashes. You have the option of walking the dog on a shorter lead with the second handle. Both handles are very comfortable to hold on to.

The very bottom multi-colored leash is a slip lead. I like this leash for some dogs because I can position it high on the neck, right behind the ears, and keep it in place with the grey tab. It is important that it is adjusted on the dog like a slip collar or chain collar. There is a right and wrong way to put this on depending on which side you walk your dog. I explain this more below under the slip and chain collar categories.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention retractable leashes. The only application I can even possibly approve of this type of leash is if you have to take your dog out to eliminate on a leash and you don’t want to go outside, and you have a small dog. Otherwise, there are several reasons why I don’t like them. First of all, I have seen and heard of too many accidents where the dog ran around their handler so quickly and tightly that they caused lacerations around their handler’s legs. Other times, the dog gets hurt by chasing after something and goes to the very end of the leash and abruptly gets choked. Our friend was biking with his dog running beside him. He was holding onto the casing of the retractable leash. The dog saw something, sprinted to the end of the leash and jolted him off the bike making him fall head over heels.

The other reason why I don’t like retractable leashes is that there is constant tension on the line. I always advocate to walk your dog with no tension and no stress, but this is impossible with a retractable leash. In the locked position, there is always tension upwards and wherever the handler is positioned. The last reason is that I believe that your energy flows through the leash to the dog. The plastic housing of the retractable leash prevents that energy flow.

Harnesses

Harnesses can be useful for very small puppies and dogs. I encourage clients to get a Pet Pals or step in harness. Most people don’t know how to teach a dog to heel on a leash. Therefore, there is a lot of prolonged and constant tugging on a collar which can be damaging to the puppy’s or small dog’s trachea. I prefer teaching a client to correct their puppy or dog pulling on a harness, rather than on a collar, in order to prevent any damage to the dog’s trachea. It is easier to transition to another walking tool if needed after the client has some experience walking their dog in a heel position.

There are only two harnesses that I recommend. One is a step in harness pictured below for small dogs, and the other one is the Easy Walk harness made by Pet Safe for small and medium/large dogs. Most other harnesses promote pulling on the walk because the clip is on the dog’s back. Since I am an advocate of walking dogs in the heel position (right by your side), it is impossible to achieve this with a medium to large sized dog. Because of where the clip is located, the dog’s chest and front legs are already in front of you. Attempting to keep a dog this size in a heel position involves straining your arm backwards. Maintaining that position for any length of time is almost impossible. Small dogs are much easier to manage on a harness even though the clip is on their back. There’s just less weight and size to manipulate. I have had a lot of success in teaching small dogs on harnesses in the heel position.

When you bring home a small dog puppy, that is only a couple of pounds, it can be very challenging to find even a collar that will fit. Pet Pals is a brand that caters to very small dogs this size. They sell collars and harnesses that will properly fit this size. However, my friend adopted a 1- 1/2 pound chihuahua and could only find a ferret harness to fit him. That’s what she still uses today for him at a whopping weight of 2 pounds!

Once the dog grows out of the Pet Pals sizes, usually around 10 pounds, I recommend either a step in harness or even the Easy Walk harness. The step in harness is very easy to put on the dog, but still needs to be introduced in the same way I mentioned above when you introduce a new collar. Sometimes dogs will freeze when you put a harness on them. Just try luring them forward with treats. You may need an extra yummy treat for this. If you need some assistance from another family member, have them feed the treats while you put on the harness. If your dog is really uncomfortable, take the harness off and try again a little later. Just be mindful of not leaving it on for very long at all. Work your way up to leaving the harness on for increments of seconds for every few successful attempts. Never rush this process.

The other harness that is my “go to walking tool” is the Easy Walk harness. Even if I know that the puppy is going to be a large dog, I like to begin training the human how the martingale style clip in the front serves as a “correction” to get the dog’s attention. A “correction” is a quick tug on the leash which tightens the straps around the chest and causes the dog to pause while you get their attention through your voice or a treat. Then, you can repeat the skill you are correcting, using treats. This way the dog understands that one way, they feel a tug and no treats are involved. The other way, they are rewarded with your verbal praise and a treat. This quick tug takes some practice to master. Most people prolong the tension by lifting back on the leash. I coach the handler on how to do this quick tug correctly. Therefore, I would rather a client learn this technique on the Easy Walk harness than on a slip or prong collar.

Dogs will get used to constant tension rendering the “correction” useless. Dogs need to learn pressure on and pressure off. No tugs (no corrections/no pressure) means they are doing things right. Quick tugs (correction/pressure) means they are doing things wrong and need to be corrected and shown the right way. This principle of pressure on vs pressure off is how future collars like slip, prong collars, and even electronic collars will work. I will elaborate on this issue in the next episode.

The only breeds that aren’t suitable for the Easy Walk harness are the dogs with long bodies and short legs. The strap that goes across the chest needs to be held up by the dog’s shoulders. For example, Corgis and dachshunds won’t be able to keep the straps up on a consistent basis. Step in harnesses or even a buckle collar work well for them.

Please remember that any walking tool that you decide to use for your dog, even if it is a regular buckle collar, must be fit correctly. Any dog, and any breed can learn to walk in a heel position on a buckle collar with the proper training. I prefer to walk dogs with some type of collar that is fit high up on their neck. Right behind their ears. I feel that I can manage them better and their weight distribution with them by my side. This makes it easier to manage when they do lunge. The strength from a lunge comes from the chest. If the dog’s chest is in front of you, it is way more difficult to hold on and have any kind of control with you behind the dog versus by their side.

Gentle Leader/Halti

Some tools take more conditioning for the dog to get used to, but can be very good walking tools, like the Gentle Leader and the Halti. This is not a tool that I have on hand for clients only because it requires some conditioning. I have found that most clients do not want to take the time necessary for conditioning their dog to get used to having a strap around their nose and mouth. Some people have told me that they don’t want people to mistake it for a muzzle and not want to approach their dog. Most clients prefer to have a harness that they can put on the dog and take them for a walk right away.

The difference between the Gentle Leader and the Halti is the Halti straps that surround the nose have more cushioning, making it more comfortable. It also has the ability to close a dog’s mouth when you pull the leash taut. I have used the Halti for this purpose. A client’s dog had the propensity to bite. He had already had a very negative experience with a pinch collar, which made his reactions even more intense. He was reactive to other dogs on walks, and the pet parent didn’t want to risk the dog redirecting his aggression on her or on anyone else. Again, knowing the dog’s temperament and issues is imperative to choosing the appropriate walking tool.

Looking at the picture below, this Halti is set up for walking the dog on the right hand side. There is a back up strap with the clip attached to the ring on the buckle collar. You can visualize if I were to pull up on the leash, the straps would fit tightly around the mouth to close it. If you want to walk the dog on the left hand side, just slide the buckle collar around so that its’ ring is on the other side. Attach the backup strap’s clip to the ring on the collar.

The one downside to Gentle Leaders and Haltis is if you have a reactive dog, meaning the dog lunges and barks at other dogs or people, the dog’s neck can get damaged because of the way the handler is just trying to hang on to the dog while their head is thrashing back and forth. However, I know many clients who are so comfortable with them and take the time to condition their dog to them, and it works great. Confidence comes from feeling comfortable. This is key with building a mutual feeling of trust between the handler and the dog. Remember, I believe the handler’s energy flows through the leash and into the dog. Dogs can feel confidence or hesitation in their handler.

Before deciding on a Gentle Leader or Halti, if you have any plans of training your dog to be a therapy or service dog, make sure that organization approves of them. Some do and some don’t, whether you agree with that or not.

Slip Collars/Slip Leads/Chain Collars

In the video below, I demonstrate how to put on a particular type of slip collar called the Snap-Around Training Collar, sold only online by Handcraft Collars. This is my slip collar of choice. There are imitation collars similar to them sold in stores and online, but the snap-around training collars are all handmade and excellent quality. I have many different sizes on hand for the client/dog that I feel would do well with it. It is imperative to have the collar measured correctly in order to yield the optimal results when handling your dog. The ‘correction’ I mentioned earlier applies to any type of slip collar, which is demonstrated in the video below. Remember, there is a right and wrong way to put these collars/leads on. You want to make sure you have the collar or lead set up so that the line from the collar or lead goes straight through the loop. if the leash is on the wrong side, it will choke the dog.

I prefer the snap-around collar over the chain collar for two reasons. The first reason is because some dogs are sensitive to certain noises. When you pull the leash taut on the chain collar, it makes a metal clanging sound which can cause the dog to negatively associate that noise with that collar. The snap-around collar is made out of cloth and is silent when pulling the leash taut.

The other reason I prefer the snap-around collar over the chain collar is that some dogs back up and don’t like to be approached when something is put over their head. This can cause negative association with the chain collar. The snap-around collar is put on around the neck and then clipped.

Slip leads can be great for a lot of dogs. This is the bottom leash in the picture of leashes above. The collar and leash are all one piece. They are usually made out of a type of cloth, but can also be made out of polyurethane (Biothane). The one thing that most people don’t know about is the tab that slides on the leash. This is to keep the slip part of the lead in place. Remember, it should be high on the neck, right behind the ears.

Martingale

I rarely run into people who use martingale collars. I don’t think I have ever recommended one. Instead, I will suggest any of the other walking tools previously mentioned. I believe that the appeal of these collars is the design such that it prevents choking the dog. When you pull the leash taut, it stops when the two sides hit together. However, most of the time, when I do see these collars, they are not fit correctly. They are usually too loose. The Greyhound rescue organizations love the martingales because of the size of their head and neck and also their very short fur. If fit correctly, they cannot escape out of them.

The biggest takeaway from this episode is that I am willing to work with any of the walking tools I listed above. I take into consideration my assessment of the dog and the physical ability of the pet parent. This determines which tool I feel will be the most suitable for both parties involved. I believe that the reason we see way less dogs being walked in any given neighborhood than there are households with dogs, is because the pet parent gave up walking their dog because it was too difficult and unpleasant. My goal is that the walk becomes a pleasant event for everyone involved. Dogs thrive when they are well exercised and well socialized.

My next episode will be with Gary Flynn, whom I have recorded with before. We will talk about prong collars and electronic collars. Some dogs require a tool that gives the handler even more control than any of the tools mentioned above. The prong collar can aide in that and can be used as a temporary training tool to work on issues you may be having. Gary will inform us about how electronic collars are supposed to be used. Not how they are commonly used by most people. Stay tuned!

Training Tip of the Day

When calling your dog’s name, ALWAYS say it in a positive tone that will result in something positive for the dog.

What is your walking tool of choice?

  At some point in your dog’s lifetime, most likely you have had to take them to your vet for an emergency type situation. Whether it be due to swallowing a foreign object or requiring surgery for an acute injury, Dr. Randy Hutchison and his professional staff at Animal Clinic Northview in North Ridgeville, Ohio, will be able to get your dog back on the road to recovery.

In this episode, Dr. Randy and I discuss common injuries and treatments that are available for various conditions. As much as we try to prevent injuries from happening, they are almost inevitable. I don’t think I have ever met anyone who hasn’t had to take their dog to the vet only for well check ups. One of the great things about Animal Clinic Northview is that they have round the clock service. So, no matter what time of day or night your dog suffers an injury or illness, there will be a vet on duty to help you.

Dog Bites

As a dog trainer, unfortunately, I have seen plenty of people get bit by dogs or their dogs have gotten into dog fights. The wounds can be serious, sometimes fatal. Especially if they have gone untreated for a period of time. Bite wounds for people should never, ever be taken lightly because of the bacterial content of dogs’ mouths. When we witness or experience dog bites, we think of the dog lunging toward their target and biting quickly and powerfully. Some dogs will bite and hold on. Others will bite once and let go. Either way, the damage can be extensive.

To a trained eye, dogs ALWAYS give you a warning before biting. Please consult a professional dog trainer if you feel that your dog has aggressive tendencies. They will not go away on their own. My contact info is below. If I feel that I cannot help you because the aggression is too serious, I can refer you to other dog trainers.

Dr. Randy sees an influx of bite wounds in the winter time. Dogs don’t always get the exercise they are used to during the warmer months. This can create a lot of frustration for dogs due to pent up energy. Sometimes, fights happen between dogs living in the same household. Common causes of fights are over claiming possession of valuable resources such as toys and food. In the dog training arena, we call this resource guarding. One dog will pose in a way that their body is over the food or toy and their body is stiff. You may even see “whale eyes” or the whites of their eyes, accompanied by growling and baring their teeth.

Assessing the damage done by a dog bite to another dog has to be done very carefully. If the decision is made to stitch up the wound, the possibility of locking in the bacteria can lead to locking in an infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed to address the infection. Sometimes, depending on where the wound is located, there is not enough skin to stitch together. However, there is a new treatment on the market called Phovia. Phovia delivers fluorescent light to the affected wound, which stimulates the body’s natural healing process. It is non-invasive and painless. Any kind of wound care treatment involves multiple visits until everything has healed up nicely. Your vet will guide you through the healing process and may even recommend physical therapy depending on the injury.

The bacteria in dogs’ mouths can cause serious infections in humans too. It may require antibiotics to get rid of the infection. The bacteria doesn’t necessarily have to be transmitted through a bite. My neighbor almost died after she came home from an operation and her dog licked the wound, like dogs do. There can be certain bacteria in the dog’s mouth that can cause sepsis through an open wound. Please consult your veterinarian or medical doctor if you or your dog experience a bite or licking an open wound from another dog.

Another totally innocent way a dog can get a serious infection from a bite wound is through play. My dog, Ebi, was playing with her best friend across the street. I was watching the dogs play. It is very common for dogs to use their mouths while playing and bite gently. I heard one of the dogs shriek. Ebi was laying down, but then got back up to play again. I figured one of the dogs came down too hard on the other and they let the other dog know about it. Well, 2 to 3 days later, my husband discovered a big growth on her side that we had never noticed before. My friend, who is a former vet tech, came over, and shaved the area where the growth was. It revealed a puncture wound from a tooth. That’s when I realized what that shriek was all about. Our neighbor dog came down too hard on Ebi. The bacteria from that bite caused an abscess to form. I took Ebi to the vet for further treatment and she healed up beautifully.

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tears

Another common yet painful injury to dogs is tearing the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is the equivalent of tearing the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) in humans. The CCL is located inside the knee joint, connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone. I have never personally experienced this with my dogs, but plenty of my client’s dogs have, unfortunately. The surgery and rehab is quite pricey and stressful because the dogs have to be contained for an extended period of time.

A lot of times, dogs will tear their CCL because they sprinted towards something or jumped off a high place. You will know right away if your dog injured themselves because they will start limping immediately. Every time your dog steps on that leg with a torn CCL, it buckles because the ligament is not there to provide stabilization. When the injury occurs, there is acute pain. However, that pain subsides as time goes on, but the limp persists. If this does happen to your dog, contact your vet immediately so that they can assess the injury.

One of the biggest misconceptions about CCL injuries is that the vet is surgically repairing the ligament. If that was actually attempted by a vet, it would almost certainly end in failure. The ligament is so minute and damaged that it is impossible to stitch it back together.

Almost all CCL repair techniques are done to provide stabilization to the joint. There are a couple of ways to repair these injuries. One option is called a lateral suture. This procedure uses sutures to reinforce the outside of the knee joint which creates a type of artificial ligament. A more up-to-date method is referred to as TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy). This procedure is done more commonly now. The joint forms scar tissue around itself to let the body heal it in a way that creates stability.

Rehab Facility On Premise

Animal Clinic Northview offers many different types of therapies for patients coming off of surgeries and injuries. They now have a swimming pool to help rehab a joint that needs to move but not involve hard impact. Also on the premises are underwater and dry treadmills, acupuncture, and laser therapy to help with the healing process. This is such an improvement to what used to be offered when the dog would undergo surgery and be sent home to heal. All of the therapies mentioned above can expedite and improve the quality of the dog’s life a lot quicker so that they can get back to running around again.

The rehab facility at Animal Clinic Northview is in the same building as the main veterinary clinic and is staffed by therapists dedicated to rehabbing dogs. There is a separate extra wide entrance to accommodate patients coming in on gurneys and for those who may be more stressed entering through the main lobby. There is even a special rubber coated floor for those patients recovering from leg surgeries to prevent any slipping.

Obstructions

Two of the commands I teach during my basic obedience class are the “Leave It/Drop It'“ commands. Dogs love to explore their world through their nose and their mouth. I don’t think I have ever met a puppy that hasn’t wanted to put everything in their mouth. It’s their way of exploring their world. It’s up to us humans to keep them safe and teach them to stop pursuing an object with the “Leave It” command. If it’s too late to prevent them from putting it in their mouth, we use the “Drop It” command to make them release the object and surrender it.

It is also common for puppies and dogs to play “keep away” from their humans and make a game out of running around the yard or house with a prized possession in their mouth. We don’t realize that we are playing the exact game the dog wanted to play when we chase the dog around and yell at them to drop it. The more the humans yell, the more excited and energized the dog gets to continue this fun game!

It’s when the dog decides to swallow the object and a blockage occurs that Dr. Randy comes in. He has dealt with plenty of clients whose dogs ingested something they shouldn’t have. Whole ears of corn, fish hooks, socks and underwear to name a few. He says that a lot of the time, family members just want to know who is to blame - who left the underwear on the floor in the first place???

There are instances where we actually witness our dog swallowing an object that was too big or knowingly indigestible. It is extremely advisable to immediately go to the vet to get it expelled. Socks and underwear are two very common foreign bodies that are ingested. If addressed soon enough, there are medications to induce vomiting, and the object comes back up the esophagus, out the mouth, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief and goes home.

Another way to prevent having to surgically remove a foreign body is through an instrument called an endoscope. There are different kinds and sizes of grabbers and loops that are attached to the endoscope which are fed down the esophagus and into the stomach. The grabber will pick up the foreign body and be pulled back out of the mouth.

Foreign bodies get tricky when no one in the family notices that the dog ingested anything. All they notice is that the dog does not have the typical appetite they usually have or even the dog refuses to eat. Maybe the dog starts vomiting several times for a couple of days in a row, is showing signs of constipation and/or seems to have abdominal discomfort. These symptoms can be a sign of other conditions, but they all warrant a phone call and possible visit to the vet. If there is an obstruction, not only is it blocking the flow of things through the intestine, but also the pressure it creates is damaging the blood supply to that intestine. This can lead to perforations in the intestinal area. Now, you are talking about extensive surgery to remove the object and repair the perforations.

One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to be tempted to pull on an object that you see is peeking out of the dog’s anus. For example, if you know your dog swallowed a plastic grocery bag and a few days later a little bit is showing out of their anus, that plastic bag may be wrapped around and stuck on something as it was working its way out. You could potentially be doing more harm than good by pulling it out. Dr. Randy has the same advice for cats. He has seen where the cat has swallowed a string. One end of the string was sticking out of the cat’s anus, but the other end was wrapped around the cat’s tongue!

Dental Issues

All dogs love to chew on things. There are so many options at the pet store that it can be overwhelming. Some of these options can lead to broken teeth, some are made of unhealthy ingredients, and some are just down right dangerous. So many times, when Dr. Randy is performing a well check up and pulls away the gums to get a good look at the dog’s teeth, he discovers chipped teeth or slab fractures. Slab fractures are when the enamel has sheared off the tooth, exposing the nerves. This is usually caused by the dog chewing on objects that are too hard for their teeth. Not only is this very painful to the dog, but it also requires dental attention.

When you have an aggressive chewer, meaning, the dog chews vigorously on bones, be very mindful of antler bones, elk horns, cow hooves, and nylabones. All of these chews can do some serious damage to a dog’s teeth. One of the vets who regularly performs dental work has a rule of thumb:

If you can't indent the chew toy with your thumbnail, don’t give it to your dog.

Some dogs are absolutely fine and will never have a dental issue with an antler bone. Then, there are other dogs who chew the antler and actually cause splinters to break off. If the dog swallows those splinters, now you’re talking about perforations along the way through the intestinal tract.

Dr. Randy’s advice on deciding on which chew toy to give your dog, “Go Fred Flinstone” and buy the biggest toy the dog can manage to get their teeth on. We are all looking for something to preoccupy our dogs with and satisfy their instinct to chew, but we have to be wise about it. Chew toys should always be under supervision, not used as a babysitter, and never left in the crate with the dog while they are alone for hours. When the toy is whittled down by about 80-90%, then it’s time to put it in the trash. My rule of thumb has always been if the length of the chew toy is 1” wider on both sides of the dog’s mouth, then it is time to dispose of it. Otherwise, you risk the dog swallowing the remainder and ending up with a blockage! The safest toy that I have found is a Kong. Again, you need to know your dog’s chewing style before you think you can give him a Kong full of almond butter (I’m not a peanut butter fan).

According to Dr. Randy, one of the most common misconceptions of dental injuries is that if the dog is in pain, they won’t eat. This is false. Dogs are very stoic. They will mask their pain. There's almost never a dental condition that will keep a dog from eating. If you watch a dog that is experiencing dental pain, they will toss their food to the other side of their mouth. They learn how to compensate for it. Another sign that your dog is experiencing dental issues is when the dog goes to pick up a toy, their pet parents will see them kind of jolt and drop the toy.

Root canals can be performed on dogs’ teeth, but typically just pulling the tooth, alleviates the source of pain and possibility for infection to develop. Pet parents notice how much more energy the dog has after the pain has been removed, This is particularly noticeable in cats. If you think dogs are stoic, cats have them beat in that department!

Seizures

Another condition in dogs that I hear too frequently from pet parents is seizures. Dr. Randy says that many times there is no identifiable cause for seizures. Just like in humans, seizures aren’t necessarily caused by a structural issue. Even after doing CTs or MRIs on the dog’s brain, there will be no glaring abnormalities on the scans.

The most common type of seizures which typically occur in dogs between the ages of 1-5 years are epileptic seizures. Whenever a dog has a seizure, Dr. Randy has to make sure that there's not something obvious causing it. Blood work is drawn to determine if low blood sugar, or calcium or liver abnormalities may be causing the seizures. Younger dogs who are experiencing seizures are more concerning. Metabolic defects or even distemper can cause seizures, so they will be screened for that. As the dog gets older, then you start worrying about a possible brain tumor. So, when diagnosing a dog for seizures, there is a process of elimination of all of these possible causes.

Seizures are still an enigma, even in human medicine. Dr. Randy will have a 10 year old dog come in for a checkup after they had their first seizure in their life and he can’t find a reason for it. On the other end of the spectrum, one of Dr. Randy’s client’s dog has a seizure once it starts walking in the clinic. Stress can also be a contributing factor to the onset of a seizure. The staff at the clinic will have this dog come through a different entrance to avoid the hustle and bustle of the main entrance. It is important to point out that this is more of a rarity than a commonplace scenario.

There are a number of medications for seizure patients. If a dog has one single seizure and has never had another one, medications will not be prescribed right away. This type of situation will be more for building a database on that dog if any future events occur. The medications for seizures have become much safer than they used to be. If your dog has been prescribed seizure medications, this won’t prevent episodes from happening. Instead, it can limit the severity and frequency of these events when they do occur.

Pancreatitis

Even though I am a dog trainer dealing with behavioral and obedience issues, inevitably, I end up talking to my clients about their dog’s health. If the dog doesn’t feel well, it can be way more challenging to assess behavioral issues accurately. The reason why the dog may be having behavioral issues is because they are in pain and not feeling well.

One health issue that can affect a dog’s behavior is pancreatitis. According to Dr. Randy, pancreatitis is somewhat of a generic term for an acute tummy ache that has a wide range of presentations in dogs. From a one time vomiting event to a life threatening rush to the ER, pancreatitis is another condition where different tests need to be run to correctly assess what it really is that is manifesting symptoms in the dog. It is worth mentioning that pancreatitis in cats is an entirely different disease and cannot be compared to that in dogs.

A common cause of pancreatitis that is thrown around by the public which is misleading is that the dog ate something fatty, like a Big Mac or the Easter ham. This can definitely contribute to the onset of pancreatitis, but it is not the sole factor. There have been plenty of dogs examined by Dr. Randy who have not eaten something they shouldn’t have, but they still get pancreatitis. All living beings require fat in their diet. However, just like in the human diet, the fat should be a healthy fat. The more fat we consume, the more weight we gain. It is advisable to be aware of the type of fat we all consume for our well being.

Symptoms of pancreatitis can be vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and lack of appetite. If pancreatitis is suspected, there is a test called a PLI, or pancreatic lipase test. This measures the level of lipase, a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas. If this test yields a positive result, this raises the suspicion that pancreatitis may be present. To get an accurate diagnosis of pancreatitis, the adjoining organs surrounding the pancreas should be examined. The stomach, small intestine, and bile ducts could actually be the primary cause of the symptoms and the pancreas is secondary. Bloodwork most likely will be ordered to monitor any changes in certain levels. Sonograms can confirm if there are any abscesses or edema in the area. The dog’s medical history will be reviewed so that the appropriate treatment is recommended.

Treatment is very much dependent on how sick the dog is and what kind of changes appear in the blood work. A new drug which helps treat pancreatitis, Paniquel, can lower and even halt the inflammatory response in the pancreas. This can bring relief to the dog suffering from acute pancreatitis. Dr. Randy’s two big takeaways from pancreatitis are first of all, make sure the vet checks for inflammation or abnormalities in the surrounding organs of the pancreas to confirm the diagnosis. Secondly, if your dog is increasingly showing signs of discomfort from the symptoms listed above, this warrants an immediate visit to the vet because it can be life threatening.

Bloat and Volvulus

Bloat is a condition when the stomach dilates or distends up, sometimes but not always, due to an accumulation of food, liquid or air. This can cause the stomach to flip over on itself, called volvulus. When this happens, this is a life threatening event because it will cut off the outflows to the stomach and trap everything in the stomach. As the stomach stretches, blood vessels get compressed so much that it cuts off its own blood supply. The stomach continues to distend beyond the rib cage and sounds and feels like a drum. If this is noticeable, then the condition has progressed to the point where immediate attention is required to save the dog.

A common symptom of bloat is the dog will be retching, not vomiting. It looks like the dog is trying to vomit, but nothing but a little phlegm comes out. This should be a red flag to get the dog to the vet. Your dog also may be walking around nervously and can’t really settle down. I remember one client telling me that her dog kept on whining and walking around one night before going to bed. She thought her dog was just anxious about the thunderstorm. Horrifically, she woke up the next morning only to find her dog dead at the bottom of the stairs.

When a dog comes in as an emergency bloat case, the first thing that has to be done is to release the gas that has built up in the stomach. Once the gas is released, and the stomach is deflated, then the dog undergoes a gastropexy to return the stomach back to its original position. The stomach will be tacked to the right side of the body wall because when the stomach flips, it is always a right to left event. After the gastroplexy, the dog can still experience bloat, but the stomach won’t flip.

There are now studies that have been done that have debunked a lot of the previous theories on the common causes of bloat. For example, eating too much food in one sitting, exercising too quickly after eating, or elevating the bowls when eating. These all could be contributing factors but studies now show that none of these things really matter. The vast majority of dogs that have bloat that come to the clinic did the same thing that day and ate the same food that they have eaten every day of their life.

Another misconception about bloat is that it only affects giant breed dogs and those with deep chests. However, one of the most common breeds the clinic sees affected by bloat is the 40-60 lb. sized Standard Poodle. On a personal note, when we got my Leonberger, a giant breed, we had already decided that we were going to have her undergo a gastropexy as a preventative measure so that her stomach would not flip. At the clinic, the gastropexy is done laparoscopically. We had this done at the same time she was spayed so as to avoid two surgeries. This surgery lasts the lifetime of the dog. Her spay was done laparoscopically as well, so she only had a couple of small incisions for both surgeries instead of being cut open. I am thankful to this day that Dr. Randy did the gastropexy so that I wouldn’t have to worry about her stomach flipping.

Spay and Neuter Procedures

An ongoing debate in the history of veterinary medicine has been when to spay or neuter your dog. When Dr. Randy was working at the clinic when he was younger, it was recommended to spay or neuter your dog at six months of age. By the time he went to vet school, there was a big push to spay or neuter between 12 and 16 weeks. Now, the pendulum has swung all the way to the other end of the spectrum to waiting until the dog is a much later age. Dr. Randy always tells clients that it’s like bell bottoms. Whatever your opinion is on the best time to spay or neuter, eventually it will come back in style at some point.

There are now studies that state that unspayed females and unneutered intact males of giant breeds may live longer. The difficult thing about that is there are also complications that arise by not spaying or neutering. In unspayed female dogs, they are more at risk for pyometra and mammary chain cancer. In unneutered males, prostate disease, testicular cancer, and hernias can develop.

What Dr. Randy is recommending now is waiting at least 6 months to a year for small breeds, and a year for medium to large male breed dogs. For giant male breeds, waiting anywhere between a year and a half to two years is advisable. If you choose to wait, you have to be careful not to let your dog loose around any unspayed females. They will walk miles to find that female in heat when they get on the scent!

The recommended time to spay a female is different than for males. It is recommended that the female go through at least one heat cycle before getting spayed. One misconception is that you should wait a year to spay your female dog. The amount of time does not play into the equation. It is all dependent on the timing of the heat cycle. My dog, Ebi, didn’t have her first cycle until she was 15 months. So, she wasn’t spayed until she was about 18 months old. An interesting and unique fact about female canines is that their hormones are the same during their heat cycle whether they are pregnant or not. Progesterone, a hormone necessary to maintain a pregnancy, increases during the heat cycle even if the dog does not become pregnant. The reason why vets wait for two months after the heat cycle has finished is because that’s how long a pregnancy typically lasts. So, the progesterone level that is present during the heat cycle to prepare and maintain a pregnancy has waned and the spay can be performed safely.

The great thing about the spaying procedure today is that it can be done laparoscopically. It makes a huge difference in the recovery time. With the traditional way of cutting open the dog to perform the spay, a ligament has to be cut in order to get to the ovaries to remove them. This contributes to a recovery lasting up to two weeks. A follow up visit is required to remove stitches. Whereas with the laparoscopic spay, normal activity can resume between 24-48 hours and there aren’t any stitches to be removed. There are only two tiny incisions and no tearing or cutting of ligaments.

Dr. Randy has been performing laparoscopic spays and neuters for over 20 years. Animal Clinic Northview was one of the first veterinary clinics in the eastern United States to be able to offer them. Not every vet clinic is able to invest in the equipment and training necessary for the laparoscopic surgeries. The last time Dr. Randy checked on these statistics, clients came from 15 states and 3 countries just to get this type of surgery for their dogs.

According to Dr. Randy, he has the greatest job in the world. He loves going to work every day and loves what he does. Whenever I take my pets there, it is so evident that there is a feeling of dedication to serve and help client’s beloved pets in sickness and in health. This type of culture amongst the 34 doctors and 180 people who report to him is very important. They love their jobs too and they are extremely passionate about what they do. There is a lot of joy working in a vet clinic, but there is also the heartbreak that goes along with that joy. But at the end of the day, they can feel proud that they helped so many pets and their pet parents with whatever comes through those doors on a daily basis.

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