By Maggi Forootan – Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Years ago I enrolled my Doberman, Vegas, in a dog training boot camp. Vegas went to live with his trainer for about 4 weeks at a kennel where he learned a very traditional type of training based on competition obedience commands: Sit, down, stay, come, heel, etc. At the time, I was very pleased with the results. My dog’s obedience was darn near perfect. He was also lightning fast when I was working him through his commands.

Many years later, after I started studying to become a dog trainer myself, I realized that something about my dog wasn’t right. Something was missing. While Vegas could practically jump through hoops of fire on command, our day in day out life together was frustrating. Vegas was on constant alert…yes, I know some of this behavior can be genetically specific for the breed…jumping at every opportunity to react to something outside, real or imagined. I found myself constantly yelling NO every time he would jump off of his bed and race out the back door to patrol the fence line, barking like a maniac. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Vegas was a nervous wreck. My well-meaning trainer had done a wonderful job teaching Vegas a bunch of commands, but she had left out the most important parts of the equation: State Of Mind and relationship.

While I do believe that the obedience commands are important in dog training, I now see them as more of a gateway to addressing the dog’s state of mind, and strengthening his relationship with his owner, than evidence that the dog is trained.

State of Mind dog training is always reaching for calmness, and connection with the owner. Dogs that are anxious, nervous, or overly excited lack the ability to think clearly, learn, and make good choices. It’s also important to mention that dogs living in this overly adrenalized state of mind have a low threshold for stress tolerance, and are far more likely to become aggressive at the drop of a hat when something pushes them over the edge.

The Lead and Love K9 system of dog training isn’t about whether or not your dog can sit for a cookie. It’s about how well you’re living with your dog on a day in, day out basis. It’s about including your dog in as many aspects of your life as possible because it’s fun to do so. It’s the whole enchilada… body, mind, and spirit…not just performance.

Start taking the time to observe your dog’s state of mind. What seems to be his default energy? Is he in constant motion…reacting to every little sound, pacing, following you around from room to room, not being able to stay in one place for more than a few minutes unless he’s sleeping at night? If this is the case, it might be time to help him find a more balanced mental state so he can regain his natural calm, observant, tuned in way of being.

Once a dog’s emotional and mental state is back to a healthy place most behavior issues simply fade away. And that my friend is the magic of State of Mind dog training!

WALK THIS WAY!

By Maggi Forootan – Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Helping my clients achieve a nice, calm, loose-leash walk with their dogs is one of the most important things that I focus on in my training programs. But why is having your dog walk next to you on a loose leash in heel position such a big deal?

Here’s the low down…

First, let’s start with the most obvious thing. Having a dog that walks calmly by your side is way more comfortable and fun than having a dog that is dragging you down the street, crossing from side to side getting under foot, or barking and lunging at every little thing…people, other dogs, skateboards, etc. Part of the joy of having a dog is taking him places and sharing time with him…right? In my book, it’s a sad day when a dog owner has given up walking their dog because it’s become an uncomfortable, embarrassing, even painful experience. The good news: It doesn’t have to be this way!

Structure is everything! I usually start most of my training programs by teaching my clients the Structured Walk. The Structured Walk means that about 90% of the time on the walk your dog is required to walk calmly next to you on a loose leash, and 10% of the time he is allowed to go out to the end of the leash to sniff, go potty, explore, and just be a dog (a polite, calm dog that is! ). You, as your dog’s leader, are making all of the decisions…when to move forward, when to turn, when to speed up or slow down, when to stop, and when it’s time for a few minutes of freedom. You are the choreographer of your dog’s walk!

Let’s take a look at a few of the most important reasons that the walk is so crucial to having a great life with your dog.

• Relationship: The relationship that you are striving to have with your dog is one of leader/follower. You are leading your dog through life, and he is following you. Requiring your dog to follow your lead on the walk is a great way to strengthen this relationship dynamic. I also believe that walking together is a bond forming activity. Think about why couples like to take long walks together on the beach :  ).
• Physical position also indicates mental position. When your dog is physically next to you, he’s also a lot more tuned into you mentally.
• State of Mind: This is a big one! Most issues and behavior problems that dogs and their owners struggle with arise from a dog that is practicing an unhealthy state of mind. Anxiousness, stress, over-excitement, and fearfulness are all canine states of mind that are usually at the bottom of most issues. Helping your dog find calmness on the walk through leadership and structure is super vital for helping him learn focus and impulse control.
• A respectful, polite, tuned-in state of mind isn’t the state of mind that reacts badly to things encountered on the walk.
• Dogs that learn how to walk calmly next to you are way less stressed, and build greater trust in you as their leader. Their connection with you is profound, and they learn that they don’t have to carry the burden of assessing every new sight, sound, and circumstance.
• When dogs are calm on the walk, they tend to carry this state of mind with them into other environments…like inside the house, or when joining their owner at a café. Think of it as a ripple out effect when it comes to state of mind.

I think it’s also important to mention a few reasons why walking your dog daily is so important. I recently had a client say to me recently that: “the walk is just for going potty…right.” I was really surprised that this was their perception of why they needed to walk their dog, and it was a great opportunity for me to educate, and help this person see why walking their dog is a super important part of providing for his wellbeing.

-Dogs are migratory animals. Wild dogs rise in the morning and start moving…usually in search of food. Our companion dogs have a genetic need to travel as well. The daily walk helps satisfy this need, and works wonders for giving them an opportunity to release pent up physical and mental energy.

-Dogs need exposure to different environments to stay mentally stimulated, socialized, and happy. Even if you have a big house and a large yard, chances are that over time your dog has covered every inch of it, and sniffed every blade of grass…multiple times. It becomes a sort of fish bowl type of existence for him which leads to boredom, frustration, restlessness, and apathy. All states of mind that are the root of so many behavior problems.

-Walking your dog daily is a great way to maximize the use of time when it comes to training your dog. Use your daily walk to practice your basic obedience…sitting at corners before crossing the street, or practicing a down/stay while other dogs or people pass by, and calling your dog to you from a distance by using a long line. There are so many great opportunities to have fun and train your dog while out on the walk!

So, dust off the Nikes, leash up, and get walking! Most importantly…don’t give up! If you are struggling reach out for help. Most issues on the walk can be easily resolved with a bit of help and guidance from your dog trainer.

By Maggi Forootan

One of the most important components of my system of dog training is the injection of a fairly heavy dose of structure into the lives of dogs and their humans who are struggling. Structure for a dog is a lot like the kind of structure you would provide for a small child. It means that pretty much every moment of your life is planned for you.

–          This is what time you get up in the morning…this is when you eat…this is how and when you play or exercise, and this is where and when you sleep at night.

Dogs, just like kids, thrive on structure!

Imagine for a moment what would happen if you let a 3 year old child make all of his own decisions. It’s a safe bet that this kid would be making some pretty unhealthy, even dangerous decisions without some parental guidance.

When a dog and his family are struggling, the kind of structure required to get things back on track requires that they give something up. Freedom!

Removing freedom from a dog’s life is often a really hard thing for dog owners to embrace. I mean really…freedom is a good thing, right? We live in a free country, and we love being able to make choices, express ourselves, and not have to worry about losing this freedom. What trips people up though is that they confuse the idea of freedom with an expression of love for their dogs. But, unbridled freedom in any society leads to chaos, lawlessness, suffering, and the breakdown of all that makes a society thrive in a healthy way.

For dogs trying to live as human companions in a human world, too much freedom without the right balance of leadership equals too much stress. These dogs are suffering on an emotional level with near constant anxiety about what to do, and how to react to their worlds.

What does stressed dog behavior look like?

Is your dog displaying constant, or intermittent rhythmic barking…running back and forth patrolling a fence line…alerting on and reacting to every little noise…neurotically pacing, or following you from room to room…charging in and out of the dog door to bark or growl at something outside, or overreacting on the walk?

These behaviors are all signs that the dog is a nervous wreck, and in a very unhealthy state of mind. The tough part for people though is that over time they become used to their dog acting this way, and they start to think it’s normal…or that it’s just the way their dog is naturally. But it’s not.

When these behaviors start they are usually mild, but tend to build and get more severe over time. Then, one day, your dog bites the mail man, or a small child. It seems like a random act, and owners say things like “he just snapped.” Or, “it was totally unpredictable.” But it wasn’t random or unpredictable. It was the result of many layers of stress, coupled with many small incidents left unaddressed over time.

People feel bad at first when I ask them to take away much of their dogs freedom. The dogs usually put up a fair amount of resistance as well, because it’s new. They’re being asked to break an unhealthy habit that doesn’t serve them, and it’s hard, just like it’s hard for a person that’s trying to quit smoking. Everyone knows that smoking is unhealthy, costly, and smelly. But it’s still a pleasurable, addictive habit for a smoker. Dogs get addicted too. The adrenaline pumping through their system when they are allowed to freak out, or practice anxiety all the time releases other pleasurable brain chemicals like dopamine. Before long they’re living in a world where they’re always looking for some reason to get their next fix.

My clients who power through the resistance of reducing their dog’s freedom come out on the other side of a beautiful moment when they see their dogs surrender into calmness. Their dogs learn to relax and just be an observer. They realize that their human is in control, and that the responsibility of reacting to everything is no longer weighing heavily on their shoulders.

So take an honest look at what’s really going on with your dog. If he’s displaying any or all of the negative behaviors mentioned above try cutting back on his freedom and adding more structure to his life. More time spent on Place just hanging out. Have him spend a few hours in his crate just resting when you go out. Take him on structured walks that provide not just physical, but healthy mental exercise as well. In time, as your dog starts shifting into a calmer way of being, you can offer more freedom because he will have found the state of mind that allows him to make good choices.

To me helping a dog out of an unhealthy state of mind is showing him the highest expression of love, and an offering of real freedom…the freedom from the stress, anxiety, and nervousness that has become his reality.

Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Family dog training in Orange County, California

By Maggi Forootan

Adding duration to the Place and Down commands is one of the most important components of my system of dog training. This by far is where I see the most dramatic shifts in dog behavior. The tricky part in understanding this is that it doesn’t look like anything ground breaking is going on. I mean the dog is just there, on its bed or mat, or lying in whatever place you have asked him to lie in. But the truth is, there is a lot going on. Let me see if I can break it down for you.

Most, if not all, dogs that are struggling with some type of behavior issue are living in a state of near constant internal or external, reactivity, alertness, and anxiety. Everything going on around them…sounds, smells, shadows and light…becomes a trigger. It starts with the big stuff…like guests coming over and ringing the doorbell, or the UPS truck pulling up to the house. They practice their explosive reactions over and over. Before long, the smaller stuff starts to cause them to freak out too…distant sounds of children playing or other dogs barking, gardeners working on lawns, birds singing. They start to become conditioned to being on edge most of the time. This over-adrenalized state of mind becomes addicting to the dog. They start to like how it feels…just like human thrill seekers that get a charge out of bungee jumping, or driving fast. The adrenaline is like a drug that they are addicted to, and they want more and more.

You can compare it to humans who live high stress lives. Many times these individuals develop behavior problems as well. But, instead of biting the mail man, or tearing up the couch with their teeth, people engage in things like over eating/drinking, nail biting, road rage, and snapping at their family members. Humans however, have many ways to deal with stress in a healthy way. We can meditate, exercise, call a friend and vent, or take a dip in the Jacuzzi.

So how can we help our dogs learn to access a calm state of mind and let go of stress? The answer lies in the magic of adding time to the Place or Down command. Making Place or Down with duration non-negotiable is the key. The dog must realize that no matter what they are not allowed to leave the Place or get up from the down. There is usually resistance at first, because they’ve become so accustomed to reacting, and they’re addicted to the charge they get out of reacting. But once they realize that they can no longer practice this behavior, they surrender…and that is a beautiful thing indeed! They surrender to calm, peace, and the realization that there is no need to be concerned about what’s going on around them.

This counter conditioning, over time, forms new emotional habit patterns in the dog. Eventually they learn that the only option is to just relax and observe all that is transpiring in their world without the need to get involved. I sometimes like to think of it as an emotional and mental re-boot for the dog. As if new neural pathways were being created so that the default behavior is calmness instead of anxiousness.

So if your dog is struggling with anxiety, stress, reactivity, and even fear, try having them stay in Place or down…just a little bit longer.

The transformation is profound. The reward for the dog is priceless…a life free from constant emotional turmoil.

What could be better than that!

Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Family dog training in Orange County, California

By Maggi Forootan

One of the saddest situations that I have to deal with as a dog trainer is getting the call from freaked out parents reaching out for help because their own dog has bitten their child. They are frustrated, frightened, and even angry. When a child is seriously injured by the family dog its serious business. When this happens, the dog usually pays a heavy price…sometimes with its life.

Many of these incidents could have been avoided had the parents invested a bit more time and energy into understanding how their dog  feels about kids, and by teaching their children the right way to interact with dogs.

Parents must understand that dogs see adult human behavior very differently than kid human behavior. Young kids cry, scream, yell, crawl, and run around erratically flailing their arms. Normal kid stuff right? But dogs don’t always understand this kind of behavior, and many of them find it extremely threatening.

Research has shown that young children are more likely than any other group to be bitten by a dog, and, they are usually bitten by their own family dog. Dogs and children communicate with very different energy. Kids tend to treat dogs like other kids…kissing, hugging, climbing on each other, and even sometimes hitting and kicking. A dog that is unsure, frightened, or stressed out by the actions of a small child is very likely to bite because they feel the need to protect themselves from a threat that they do not understand.

THE 10 GOLDEN RULES FOR KEEPING YOUR CHILD AND YOUR DOG SAFE AND HAPPY!

• Never leave small children and dogs unattended…even if it’s your own dog. Energy can shift very quickly between kids and dogs. It only takes a split second for things to go bad.
• Teach your child to always leave dogs alone when they are eating, sleeping, chewing on a bone, or playing with a toy.
• Teach your child to always be respectful of a dog’s personal space…no kissing, hugging, ear/tail pulling, or climbing on them.
• Learn to read your dog’s signs that he’s uncomfortable with what your child is doing. Some of these signs may be quite subtle, and some might be obvious…looking away, lip licking, ear position, stiffening body, pupil dilation, trying to run away. Intervene right away when you see this shift.
• Teach your children to play nicely with your dog and include them in his training. This can be really fun for kids…dogs too!
• Never allow your child to run up to, pet, stare at, or even speak to a strange dog.
• If you have a dog and are planning on having children in the future start training your dog now…before the children arrive! This goes for Grandparents and other immediate family members as well. A good trainer can help you set up a stress free structured lifestyle for your dog, and  get him in the right state of mind to tolerate and cope with kid energy.
• If you already have kids and are planning on welcoming a dog into your family do a little honest soul searching, and ask yourself if your family is really ready for the added responsibility of a dog. Start teaching your children how to correctly interact with a dog before the dog arrives, and have a solid game plan for training your dog.
• Give your dog his own calm space in your home where he can take a break from chaotic kid energy, and teach your child to leave the dog alone when he’s in his quiet place.
• Don’t assume that your current dog will be accepting and tolerant of inappropriate treatment by children just because you’ve had a dog in the past that could handle it. Just like people, all dogs are different.

Parents, Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles, Cousins…and well…anyone who owns a dog! It’s your responsibility to advocate for the safety and happiness of the children in your lives…and the dog you love.

Maggi Forootan

Lead and Love K9…rules, guidance, leadership, and love!

www.leadandlovek9.com

Family dog training in Orange County, California

By Maggi Forootan – Lead and Love K9

In a dog’s world space is not some otherworldly dimension…it’s a language.

Space. Their space, our space…and how our actions affect space matter greatly to them.

How close, how far. How fast or slowly we move in space. What angle and what kind of stance we take in space are just like words to them. So much is said to them by how we choose to interact with them spatially.

The conversation begins the instant you start moving into a dog’s space, and gets personal when you reach his physical space, which is about three feet from his body.

If you want more trust from a dog move into his space slowly and on an angle, instead of head on…this can be very intimidating. Not so slowly however, that it seems like stalking…no one likes a stalker! Soften your posture; avoid direct eye contact and staring. Do not smile…the showing of teeth can be threatening to some dogs. Do not speak in a weird, high pitched voice. Dogs just don’t get those strange sounds coming out of your mouth (“what’s that awful squealing sound?! Is she eating a mouse?!”)

Stay calm! Keep your hands to yourself. Let the relationship unfold in a polite, non-threatening manner.

THE MAGIC TOUCH

Physically   touching a dog is taking spatial   interaction to the next level. Make sure your dog is comfortable and ready for physical touch. Not all dogs like to be touched the way we think they should like to be touched, and that’s ok! Honor and respect that. Firm stroking starting at the shoulder and moving down the back is way more soothing to them than the abrupt PAT, PAT, PAT on the head.

UNDER PRESSURE

I use spatial pressure frequently when I train dogs…moving quickly into their space as a way to communicate. I only do this once I have established trust. They learn quickly, and confusion is minimal. Using space to communicate to them makes sense…it’s a language they understand.

So don’t space out when it comes to the importance that space has for your dog! Take the time to observe how your use of space affects them, and make adjustments when necessary.

It will be like saying to your dog “I love you to the moon and back!”

LEAD AND LOVE K9…RULES, GUIDANCE, LEADERSHIP AND LOVE

WWW.LEADANDLOVEK9.COM

Family dog training in Orange County, California

By Maggi Forootan

 so·cial·i·za·tion

/ˌsoʊʃələˈzeɪʃən/ Show Spelled [soh-shuh-luh–zey-shuhn] Show IPA

noun

1.

a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.

“YOU HAVE TO SOCIALIZE YOUR DOG!”

I hear from dog owners all the time about how important they think it is to socialize their dog. Yes! It’s so important to get your dog out there in the world, meeting other dogs and people…allowing them to experience the world and all of the variety it has to offer. But the more I hear dog owners talk about socialization for their dogs, the more I wonder.

What does it really mean to socialize your dog?

Today, I got up and took a walk in my neighborhood. I went to the hardware store, and then picked up my Mom to go out to lunch. Lots of people crossed my path. I waved and smiled as I passed them on the street. I spoke to the waiter at the restaurant, and thanked the cashier at the hardware store. When my Mom and I finished our lunch, I gave her a big hug and a kiss : )

I didn’t hug the cashier at the hardware store, or kiss the waiter at the restaurant! If I had I might have met with some pretty intense…maybe even aggressive…responses from these poor souls whom I decided to interact with in a totally inappropriate way based on the type of relationship I had with them.

Ewww…I would have been considered…well…kinda creepy!

So why do so many dog owners think that socializing means that you hook your dog up to a 15 foot retractable leash, and let him rudely run up to every dog and person he sees…getting right up in their faces?!

Don’t do it!

First of all, this face to face type of encounter is for many dogs very intimidating. Dogs left to their own devices usually do not greet one another in this fashion. When this type of interaction does occur it can cause a lot of stress for a dog. This stress can cause a dog to feel like he has to react…sometimes aggressively…to this out of control stranger.

So, what are some good ways to socialize your dog or puppy? For one, you need to realize that canine socialization is not just about dogs mixing it up with one another, getting in each other’s faces and making physical contact. It’s about learning how to just exist in each other’s presence. It’s  about getting out and about and just experiencing new sights, sounds, and smells.

There are a lot of preconceived notions when it comes to what we expect from our dogs. Most of them are based on what we have seen dogs doing on TV, or in those Norman Rockwell paintings from the 1940’s…you know the ones where the dogs all seem so friendly and happy go lucky? But that’s not reality. Here are some suggestions for some great ways to socialize your dog.

• When it comes to meeting new dogs, do not force a face to face meeting. It’s better to keep the dogs walking together side by side (movement reduces stress.) If your dog shows signs of discomfort with the closeness of the other dog give him a little space, and then gradually reduce it as calmness prevails.
• Find friends or family members who have polite, stable dogs that your dog can spend time with off leash in a secure place.
• Seek out a good Doggie Day Care. One that is supervised 100% of the time by people trained to step in and stop unwanted behavior.
• Take your dog to parks or dog friendly malls. Don’t force any kind of interaction with other dogs or strangers. Just let him hang out and get comfortable in new surroundings
• Avoid dog parks. Sorry, as great as this idea seems it’s really not the best place to socialize your dog. You never know what kind of dogs might show up at the dog park, and you can’t assume that all of them are stable socially. You also can’t count on all of the dog owners at the dog park to be paying attention to signs that their dogs might be getting into trouble or getting too ramped up and into a bad state of mind which can lead to a fight. A great way to use a dog park for socialization is to take your dog there and walk him, or just hang out on the outside of the fence.
• Do not allow strangers to rush up and pet your dog. Nothing is more off putting to a dog than to have a stranger thrust his or her hand right in his face!
• Avoid isolating your dog. Get him out and about as much as possible so that he becomes less nervous about new things.

Above all else, respect and honor who your dog is today. If he’s uncomfortable in a social situation advocate for him by creating a little space between him and the things he’s uncomfortable with. Slow down, and gradually expose him to new and different things. Stick with his training, and provide him with the structure that will keep him calm and happy.

Trust your dog! He might not be the life of the party, or the social butterfly…and that’s OK!

Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Family dog training in Orange County, California

By Maggi Forootan – Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Love

Most dog owners would say that they love their dogs, right? People get dogs because they want a friend and companion to share their lives with, and they want their friend to love them back.

When we pour on constant affection, praise, treats, and attention our dogs feel really good…and so do we. They soak it all in because it feels so good and they start to want and need more. But what happens when the delicate balance between love, praise and affection; and rules, guidance, and leadership is out of whack?

Your love and affection becomes your dog’s drug, and you become his dealer.

Yes, dogs can get addicted to love. I see it all the time when people are struggling with things like separation anxiety, or dogs that demand attention. Dogs struggling with separation anxiety are in emotional and mental pain, and well-meaning owners have inadvertently helped nurture this state of mind. Pushy, demanding dogs can be unbearable and annoying to live with, and cause many owners to develop resentment for them.

Is this love? Do we want our dogs to become addicted to us and our constant attention? Do we want a dog that destroys our house or injures himself every time we leave him? Or how about a dog that won’t stop pawing at you while you’re trying to read or watch a movie…demanding to be petted.

Constant coddling and petting is a slippery slope for dog owners. This type of interaction is almost always at the root of many fear based dog problems. If your dog is anxious, fearful, or unsure it’s best to withhold affection during those times. Affection is acknowledgement…it’s like saying “yes fluffy…you should be scared and nervous.” Its human nature to want to comfort your dog when he’s frightened, but they don’t see it as comfort from their point of view. It’s always best to reserve love and affection for a time when your dog is calm and confident.

In the very same ways that we provide for our dogs physical wellbeing by providing food, shelter, vet care, and exercise; we must also provide for his emotional and psychological wellbeing. This means helping them understand that they can be OK when we’re not there to love them. They can learn how to self-sooth, and not be needy. Their confidence blossoms much like a human child learning to make his own way in the world with your guidance and help, but without needing to hold your hand every step of the way.

Love

When it comes to dogs it’s not just about what feels good to you. It’s about what makes your dog more stable; more balanced… the best version of himself.

So share your love for your dog through leadership and structure. Watch and wait for his calm state of mind, and then share praise and affection. Have your dog earn love and affection by demonstrating his respect, and willingness to comply with your guidance. This is authentic love.

Don’t be the drug that is love.

By Maggi Forootan

Ring…ring!

“Hello Maggi, this is the President.” “I’ve decided that I need a few months off.” “The responsibilities of leading this great country are a lot of work, and having to make all of these important decisions is wearing me down.” “Could you please take over for me for a while?”

HOLY CRAP! What to do…what to do?! He’s asking ME?! Someone has to do it…we can’t NOT have a leader! So many decisions to make…do I sign this? Do I bomb these people over here? Is this other country our friend or foe? What to do…what to do?! Better just do SOMETHING…anything…someone has to lead, or we will die!

It’s easy to imagine that I would make some pretty bad decisions if I had really received this phone call…right?

This is a perfect example of how your dog feels when he is living in a home where the humans have not clearly taken on the role of leader. Your household, and all of the members in it, form a family/pack in your dog’s mind. This family/pack is a social group that is weak without a strong leader. In a dogs mind a weak family/pack is in constant danger of not surviving. If a human does not step up and take the role of family/pack leader, the dog will as a way to survive and relieve the stress that a lack of leadership causes. Most trainers and behaviorists agree that pet dogs generally have no desire to be the leader in their family/pack. It’s a demanding, stressful role. The safety and survival of the whole family/pack depends on a leader who can make wise decisions.

Dogs living in homes where they feel that they need to lead usually make very bad decisions by our human standards. They often become nervous, stressed, destructive, or sometimes aggressive. This state of mind is where most behavior problems arise. The good news is that once the humans fully embrace the role of leader many behavior problems simply vanish.

I named my dog training business Lead and Love K9 because I feel that the best thing I can do for dogs is to teach their humans… who love them…how to lead them. Your dog wants to know you’ve got things under control. He needs to know that he doesn’t have to worry about making the big decisions in life, and that he can relax and be a calm observer of his world instead of a stressed out reactor.

To truly love your dog you must become a strong leader for your dog!

Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Family dog training in Orange County, California