Leslie Fisher

BITE. The very word conjures an array of human responses: anger, fear, sadness, confusion amongst others. Dogs bite. Dogs bite for reasons very clear to themselves.  Humans often have difficulty comprehending the chain of events leading to a dog bite, hence my sharing of education by dedicated professional Joan Orr of DOGGONE SAFE . Joan has been busy promoting National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 16th – May 22nd.  Of note: a staggering 70 % of all dog bites occur to children under the age of 15, according the American Veterinary Medical Association.

All too well we know of many dogs` continuing connection to the receiving end of a shock collar. Not the best confidence booster in the world, is it?  However, this blog is less about the evils of shock collars, (as evil as they are) and more about the connections one gains in the world of positive dog training. Nothing equals the pleasure (well almost nothing) of being able to use those connections to make life better for dogs.  Shock collars will not magically disappear without ongoing intervention of determined individuals spreading the good word. Often it is one dog, one person at a time. In a recent discussion with facebook colleague Tony Cruse, he hoped, with his positive methods, to influence the widespread use of shock collars on farms neighboring those of a client.

Kelly Dunbar, in a recent post, alluded to effective and ongoing use of training tools, to prevent deteriorating doggy behavior. What a great reminder for all of us who are owned by dogs. One of my personal goals as a dog training professional is to keep filling up the tool box. Oh, I often think: “if I only knew then what I know now.” Fast forward five years and yes, I will be thinking the same thing. You see, we are always adding new tools to the box, as part and parcel of our trade. Only ever hire a dog trainer whose education is ongoing. My toolbox was distressingly empty prior to Pat Miller and the launch of my career. As green as grass was I, a Level 1 Instructor Intern in 2003. Prior to the Instructors course I am embarrassed to admit, a dog training book had never occupied shelf space in my home. The knowledge and foundation I acquired with Pat Miller were the very first tools of my trade.

Yup, those furry flying figures would be the three Look What Labs, racing with fiendish fervor,(in honor of Hallo`ween) each figuring on being first to Mom. Now THAT would be a motivated recall! The first fiendishly flying figure would be Bridget, always getting the jump on the others. Attempting to make up ground, and casting the evil eye on the leader, is Doobie, my puppy mill rescue. Finally (this is always the order) would be English Lab Talley, stolidly chugging along. She gets A for effort and for never giving up. Her stocky little self just cannot cover ground like the two American Labs; Talley has much less stamina also. Do you routinely get that kind of action happening on a recall? As this was a distance recall; let me describe the setting.