I really believe I was born to work with animals. Certainly my favourite thing as a small child was playing with them on my, albeit plastic, farm.
My first experience in dog training came at a preteen age with our family cocker spaniel, Taffy, when one day I decided to try to teach her to sit and give me her paw.
Knowing absolutely nothing about training dogs I managed to get her to obey my commands. I was so excited I wanted to show it off to everyone.
Unfortunately her training ended there and most of the work I did with her after that involved me chasing her around the neighborhood, whenever she bolted out the door.
Sadly her misbehavior also involved biting the mailman through the letter slot which, among other things, led to her being sent off to live with relatives in the country.
Having an otherwise very happy childhood, this was the most heartbreaking thing I had ever experienced.
A few years later we got another dog, to help deter would-be housebreakers after a couple break-ins in the neighborhood.
That was Sergeant (shown above) and luckily one day mom came home with a good dog training book and a 50 foot training long-line, loaned to her by one of her dog-loving Avon customers.
I was intrigued and started right in reading the book.
It wasn't long before I was out with Sergeant every spare minute after school, implementing the methods I was learning.
Eight weeks later I had an off-leash trained dog that I could take with me virtually anywhere.
We'd often go to McDonald's and I'd leave him outside in a safe area, untethered, while I hung out with my friends.
That was very rewarding for a 17 year old boy, and while I had always loved animals that love took a quantum leap with the special bond I had with my dog.
My natural inclination for teaching dogs continues. I've had 3 others since then and, for a short time, all three at once and all were very well behaved.
I now live with my rescue dog, Bear, who came to me with some issues but has proven to be an amazing (helper) dog after proper training.
I want to do my part to prevent anyone from needlessly going through the heartbreak of losing a dog due to unwanted behaviours.
If you are having trouble with your dog or just want him or her to be a more cooperative family member, I would love to work with you and make it happen.
Please get in touch because I can help you experience the unequaled bond that comes from having a balanced companion dog.
Kevin
