I've met a few trainers being in the dog rescue field. Most trainers I've met are the wishy-washy, only positive reinforcement, throw hot dogs at your dog to distract them, type. Some of these trainers seemingly unknowingly actually reinforce the bad behaviors they are trying to get rid of! \r
\r
First, Max is good people. Max volunteers his time to some rescue groups through a specific program under the Central PA Animal Alliance. \r
\r
Max came to my house (free of charge through a rescue program) to help with a fearful foster dog that had been returned after being adopted. This foster dog was allowed to hide in a bedroom for the last 2 years, thus ""escaping"" from anything that even remotely scared her. Through basic obedience training and forcing her to deal with her fears instead of allowing her to run away, our foster dog is already showing vast improvements, only 3 days later! \r
\r
Dogs want to please their owners, their owners just need to know how to effectively tell their dogs what it is they want them to do. Max is a great teacher of this skill. \r
\r
The only problem is that the people need to stick with the training, and stick to their guns. The people who complain about this type of training typically want some sort of magical fix and complain about the trainer when the owners don't hold up their end of the bargain.
more