Frequently Asked Questions

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Services | FAQs | Dog Training Book

• What training tools do you use and recommend?
• Why do you not use pinch, choke, or shock collars?
• What is the difference between private lessons and group classes?
• Do you use the clicker?
• Why can't I just say "No"?
• Do you recommend a crate?
• Can cats and dogs get along with each other?
• Do you board and train?
• Do you recommend any special breeds?
• Do you recommend the Gentle Leader?
• Do you recommend anti-bark collars?
• Can massage influence behavior?
• What is your best advice to dog owners?
• What is your best advice to cat owners?
• At what age should you start teaching your dog?
• How many animals do you have?
• What types of food do you recommend for dogs and cats?

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What training tools do you use and recommend?

Typically I use flat, nylon leashes 5/8" wide, front-clip harnesses, flat collars, body harnesses, and sometimes martingale-style collars. I also recommend Sof-Touch™ leashes. Other resources I use are great food and things dogs enjoy, such as toys and toy bins. I use head halters for aggressive dogs. Poop bags are very handy too.

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Why do you not use pinch, choke, or shock collars?

The use of pinch, choke, and shock collars is simply abusive. Choke collars, as their name implies, "choke" the animal, which can greatly damage the trachea and spine, as well as constrict the dog's air passages. In addition, the choke collar teaches nothing. It simply punishes. I prefer not to teach this way. For more information on the physical risk this kind of collar poses to your dog, see this Choke Chain Leaflet.

The "pinch" collar pinches and changes your dog's behavior through pain and discomfort. This too does not teach your dog how to behave or what to do in a positive way.

"Shock" collars are inappropriate. Some people like to call them remote collars, e collars, or electronic collars, disguising what they do. These collars are shock collars. If I used an electric current to shock somebody into learning math, it wouldn't be very pleasant or productive — especially for the learner. Likewise, shocking a dog to sit, or to come, or to stay by a person's side is just as inappropriate. The above training tools are based on pain and punishment and do not teach dogs how to perform behaviors in a humane or kind manner. The use of these collars intensifies fear and aggression, makes problem behaviors worse, damages the relationship between dogs and people, and makes anxious dogs more anxious.

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What is the difference between private lessons and group classes?

Private lessons focus on teaching you how to teach your dog in numerous settings and situations. The focus of private lessons is on your skills and technique. Group classes teach you how to teach your dog in a distracting environment and expose your dog to other dogs and people in a positive way. Socialization is an additional focus of group classes.

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Do you use the clicker?

No, I do not use the clicker for training. The clicker is a toy box and noise maker. It can mark a behavior that you would like your dog to perform, but so can your voice, mannerisms, and timing in delivery of food treats and other reinforcers. There is a school of thought that makes the clicker the trainer and teacher, instead of the person. Many people, however — including many trainers — do not use the clicker correctly. I believe a clicker can enhance training for those who already know how to teach dogs positively and for shaping behaviors that may be complex, but it is a hindrance when teaching people how to teach their dogs. There is a learning curve for people when using a clicker. People tend to spend more time focusing on the clicker than on teaching their dogs. I find people do not tend to juggle the leash, food treats, and clicker well when having to work all three simultaneously.

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Why can't I just say "No"?

The word No gives no instruction. The word in itself is meaningless unless it connotes disapproval through voice and mannerisms. Often people are late to intervene, making their "reprimands" useless. If a person comes across adversarial enough, a dog may defer temporarily by inhibiting his or her behavior. But until the dog is taught a new way of behaving — in other words, can be taught another behavior to replace the unwanted one — the unwanted behavior will continue. It is more effective to teach wanted behaviors early on and to prevent and avoid creating behavioral problems, than it is to reprimand your dog for doing things you dislike.

For further insights into other ineffective or even harmful training methods, please see this article (PDF).

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Do you recommend the crate?

I am not a strong advocate for the crate. I have never met a dog who loves the crate or perceives it as his or her den. I have seen dogs use it when they are stressed by their human family and/or family dynamics, or are afraid of their environment. To these dogs it is an escape, in the same way that a child uses a bed for hiding under.

The crate is a cage. If you keep an animal in a cage for too long, the animal will mentally or physically suffer. People keep their dogs confined in cages for hours at a time, only letting their dogs out to pee. Many people keep their dogs in the crate all day long while at work, and then again at night when they go to bed. This means their dogs spend over 15-18 hours a day in a cage. Then they complain their dogs have behavioral problems.

Since the crate is a training tool, it is choice, not a necessity. Because the crate is trendy, it is common for people to get a crate and force their dogs to use it — often with limited success and much distress to dogs. I have seen dogs bite to avoid being put in a crate. If you are going to use a crate, first teach your dog to tolerate it and use it in moderation, as a management tool only. Cage confinement should be temporary and not a way of life for your dog. If people spent more time exercising their dogs instead of crating them, there would be happier dogs and healthier people, and less canine behavioral problems. I personally recommend using baby gates or ex-pen panels (a type of indoor fencing) to temporarily confine dogs.

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Can cats and dogs get along with each other?

Absolutely! Some dogs are better with cats than others. I teach a lesson on how to get dogs and cats acclimated to each other. The onus is usually on the dog, not on the kitty. The best arrangement is having a shy dog and a confident cat. There is no need for your kitty to be relegated to the basement or the spare bedroom. If you have a dog who is not good with cats, management, prevention, and supervision are your best approaches.

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Do you board and train?

Your dog learns in your home and according to the environment in which you teach. Your dog also learns what you reinforce and behaves around you in a certain way according to your behavior. If I teach your dog for you, your dog will learn to behave around me based on what I am reinforcing. If I then give your dog back to you, it is imperative that you teach your dog exactly the same things I did, and in the same way. In other words, dogs learn according to the environment in which you teach them in and according to whom they are learning from.

If I teach your dog for you, I am not teaching you how to teach your dog, nor is your dog learning from you. Since your dog lives with you, you should be responsible for his or her training. I believe it is the responsibility of all dog "owners" to care for their dogs and be committed to working with them.

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Do you recommend any special breeds?

Rescue. Adopt an animal from a shelter. Don't buy from a breeder. Tens of thousands of dogs and cats are killed daily in shelters because they are unwanted. Animals in shelters are either adopted or killed. In "no kill" shelters, they often languish for months or years until they are adopted — if they ever are.

Puppy mills are breeding facilities usually promoting sales of purebred dogs, or mixed breed "designer" dogs, over the internet. If you buy a dog over the internet you are promoting the poor treatment of animals. These breeding facilities have deplorable conditions, and breeder dogs are factory-based dogs constantly forced to churn out puppies. Breeder dogs, both male and female, live in miserable conditions in cages or kennels. The puppies are poorly kept and often improperly socialized, especially if they remain too long in kennels or pet shops. Breeding and selling animals is a quick, easy, and in my opinion, sleazy, way to make a profit. A breeding facility will not advertise as a "puppy mill." This is the animal rights term for a breeding facility. A large-scale breeder or puppy mill will advertise as a "breeder" or "kennel." Visit www.PetFinder.com to find animals in need of loving homes.

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Do you recommend the Gentle Leader?

For pulling, I recommend personal lessons and/or a front clip body harness, such as the Sense-ation Sensible Harness. I use head halters when working with aggressive dogs.

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Do you recommend anti-bark collars?

Generally, no. I teach people to work with their dogs first to resolve barking issues. I strongly detest shock collars and do not recommend them; nor do I like sound aversion collars. If a dog owner needs assistance in addition to training lessons, I recommend the citronella anti-bark collar by Premier.

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Can massage influence behavior?

Massage can calm animals, develop a bond between an animal and a person, and teach an animal to trust human touch. In addition, there are types of touch that are unnerving to animals, and types of touch that are healing and relaxing. Dogs who are fearful, anxious and/or reactive are very influenced by how we touch them. Puppies and active energetic dogs can be calmed down by professional massage techniques, such as effleurage, compressive stroking, and the "laying on of hands." Kitties can benefit by massage too. Shy and fearful kitties can learn to love human attention when touched in a kind and thoughtful manner.

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What is your best advice to dog owners?

Be kind to your dogs. Exercise your dogs. Appreciate your dogs and reward your dogs for good behaviors. Do not yell at your dogs or bully them. Set your dogs up for success and manage problems early on, instead of creating problems or trying to undo problems you may have created.

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What is your best advice to cat owners?

Be considerate and kind to your cats. Get larger litter pans. Use clumping, unperfumed cat litter (either sandy clay type litters or Swheat Scoop). Clean your kitty's litter box at least once daily, if not multiple times a day, and freshen litter every few days. Separate food and water bowls. Play with your cats, and sleep with your cats. Invite your cats to join you when you have polite guests or company over and keep your kitties safe. The bonding between you and your kitty is up to you. Your cat should feel a part of your life.

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At what age should you start teaching your dog?

As early as you possibly can, providing your puppy is old enough to walk and play. Your puppy can learn instantly through rewards and positive training.

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How many animals do you have?

I have three kitties, all over 13 years old. I had a dog, Dolph, for 11½ years who passed away in December 2002. I also had two kitties who passed away in 2003, Sashi and Powder.

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What types of food do you recommend for dogs and cats?

Food that does not contain by-products or artificial colors or flavors. Avoid processed dog treats, such as "pup-pepperoni snacks" or multi-colored cat treats. For dogs, any fruits or vegetables, such as blueberries and carrots, or whole grains, such as brown rice, are good. Higher quality packaged dog and cat food will not have corn-based fillers. Corn meal is a potent allergen for dogs and cats. Some people home-prepare their dog's and cat's meals and feed their animals natural whole and raw food diets. Animals fed such diets tend to be very healthy.

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