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The Dogfather In Germany |
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16th Sept 2010: I'm off to Germany for a few days to learn some new tricks.
No matter how good you are at dog training and dog behaviour, there's always more you can learn. So from Thurs 16th Sept until Tues 21st September, I'm off to Germany (again!) to meet some of Europe's most successful dog trainers. I'm going to the bundessiegerpruefung, the German national Schutzhund championships. Of course I'll be bringing new dog training techniques that I learn (and bits of training equipment that you can't find in England) back home for the benefit of all my clients and their dogs.
I've always had great respect for dog trainers in Germany, where the word for 'dog handler' translates to 'dog leader' - it's a much better description of the way I think it should be. Dogs are happier when they have a good leader - and to do that takes a little skill and sensitivity because dogs are very clever when it comes to sussing out who they want to follow. In contrast, 'handling' suggests physical ability to control. Is that the way it should be..? Men in protective suits 'handle' dangerous chemicals, for example. It sounds so negative! I'd rather be a pack leader than a dog handler.. Does that make sense to you, too?
If you'd rather your dog did what you asked because they wanted to follow your rules, and not because you forced them do it physically, get in touch! Perhaps you have a strong dog who you simply can't be made to obey by physical means, including any number of collars and leads? Alternatively you may have a nervous dog who needs someone confident but caring to look up to? Maybe you need a dog trainer who can show you the way to be a leader, not a handler, eh?
As for me, I often walk my two Rottweilers on one lead. Between them they weigh the same as me - and I'm a big lad - but unlike me  they're all muscle and have four paws on the ground. They could easily pull me over anytime - but they never do, they walk nicely. (And you can rest assured I didn't bully my Rottweilers into behaving this well - I'm not so brave or stupid!) What's my secret? Contact me now and I'll tell you as soon as I get back from Germany!
If you'd like to learn more about what I do, check out my one-to-one training. Bookings available now for late September onwards, Northamptonshire and anywhere!
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