Home  Dog Blog Weekend With Jogi Zank, One of the World's Best Dog Trainers |
Weekend With Jogi Zank, One of the World's Best Dog Trainers |
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You never stop learning about dog behaviour and dog training techniques. That's why I spent time again over the August Bank Holiday with top dog trainer Jogi Zank, this time on his first trip to the UK. What did I learn? Read on...
Quite apart from being a really nice guy, Jogi Zank is one of the world's most gifted dog trainers. His feel for dogs, together with his technical ability and knowledge really set him apart. He won the German national Schutzhund championships for German Shepherd Dogs in 2009 with a rehomed dog - that's virtually unheard of. (I was there - check out the blog entry). He came 2nd in the World Championships too. Although schutzhund isn't for everyone, I've borrowed a lot of techniques from the sport that work really well with common pet dog behaviour problems such as dog aggression, nuisance barking, pulling on the lead and poor recall. I'm the Chairman and former Head Trainer at Birmingham Schutzhund Club
 Jogi personifies what we stand for here at Dogfather Training: Quite
apart from the advanced techniques and his very clever - and yet simple -
practical application of well known dog psychology, he has a gift for
making even complicated things sound simple. There's no rocket science
involved, and no 'smoke and mirrors'. Add to that a great feel for dogs -
because, just like us, they are all different - and you have a winning
formula.
I first met Jogi at a worldwide seminar for top dog trainers held in Germany. I was one of only three English dog trainers and the only professional. We spend a whole week learning some head-spinning stuff that I've incorporated into my dog training every since. Since then he's been all over the world teaching dog trainers, most recently in Maryland where trainers from all over USA flew in to see him. When I heard he was coming to the UK this year for the first time, I booked on the spot.
What did I learn this time? I think that in all walks of life if you come away from a training course with a few nuggets, then it's worthwhile. I was reassured that the way I work with my clients is exactly on the same track as Jogi. (Unsurprisingly since I'd trained with him before - although I'm the only pet dog trainer I know in the UK using these very effective and non-abusive dog training techniques), but I discovered quite a few new things which I've already started to use for the benefit for Dogfather clients. (Anyone for a 'command amplifier'..? I thought I only had one of those in my hi-fi system!).
What next? I'm off on my travels again to Germany at the end of September to the German Schutzhund Championships for GSD's. Jogi will be there, no doubt, although I don't think he's competing this year. My friend Andreas Litzel will be though, so I'll be cheering him on as well as looking for dog training equipment we can't get here in the UK and picking up new tips for Dogfather clients.
Graeme
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Graeme Hall MGoDT, 'The Dogfather' is one of the UK's leading dog trainers. Based in
Northamptonshire, covering all of the UK. I'm a Master Dog Trainer with the Guild Of Dog Trainers. I've
trained over 1500 dogs. I'm recommended by vets. I'm one of the few dog
trainers chosen by the Hollywood film industry and you'll frequently
hear me on BBC Radio.
I
can come to you wherever you are – and
wherever there is a dog behaviour problem to fix or expert dog advice
needed. Contact me today!
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