If Bruce Lee Were a Dog Trainer…

Posted by Deakster on January 28, 2009

Anyone who knows who Bruce Lee is, and who really doesn’t know who he is, would likely know he is often held with high regard as being one of the best martial artists of all time.

But what would he be able to teach us if here were a dog trainer instead?

Well, take a moment to know what he did as a martial artist. For those who actually do not know, he founded his own martial art known as Jeet Kuna Do. Without going into a long winded seminar about marital arts, the main point here is that he created his own techniques.

He studied other martial arts, such as Kung Fu, Karate, and others and learned what aspects of those martial arts worked and which ones did not. He then kept the ones that worked and excluded the non-working methods from his training.

Ahhh. Training. Just like martial arts training, pet training requires many of the same principles. You must be

• consistent
• train properly
• train often
• you must train what works
• you get rid of what doesn’t

Each person is going to train their own dog their own way. No one way is truly perfect for all owners or all pets. While not everyone will become the world’s best pet trainer, ever person has to take some active role in training their own pet.

Whether your pet learns to behave or your pet learns to misbehave, both are based on how you do, or don’t, train your pet.

I have not invented a “new style,” composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from “this” method or “that” method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds.

- Bruce Lee

Lee, Bruce (September 1971). “[1] Liberate Yourself From Classical Karate”. Black Belt Magazine (Rainbow Publications, Inc.) 9 (9): 24.

Pet Training Series 6: What Type Of Pet Training You Are Trying To Train Your Pet For

Posted by Deakster on

Before you really start taking your pet training to a serious level, you will need to make one more really important decision.

You need to decide what exactly you want your pet to learn.

Some basic commands, such as sit, stay, come, down, should be taught to all dogs. Any dog will benefit from a consistent ability to follow these commands. As these are the foundation commands of having a well behaved dog.

But what other types of pet training are there? Would your pet enjoy them?

Many dogs love to have purpose. This is what makes training so good for a dog. They receive praise and treats for doing good and learn that the more good stuff they do, the more they are rewarded. Your pet is likely to be no exception to this rule.

Many people just do not realize that training your dog does not need to stop at a basic level. As you continue to train your pet, and as they continue to get better, consider taking your pet’s training to more advanced levels. Some advanced training techniques can be quite rewarding for both owner and pet.

Several other types of pet training fall into advanced training these often include

• Pet Long Distance Jumping
• Pet Agility Training
• Schutzhund Training
• Frisbee Toss Training
• Protection Training
• Search and Rescue Training
• Canine Helper Programs for Handicapped
• and many other programs.

Advanced training does not even need to be something as serious as search and rescue, but should be something both of you enjoy doing. We have one dog that loves to help us carry in wood during the winter. When we head to the wood pile, he grabs a piece and carries it inside for us. He enjoys it.

Other programs, such as Service Dogs Amercia, or the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program, are always looking for volunteers that have socially behaved dogs. These dogs are often requested to visit elderly homes or sick children in the hospital. Which is often a very enjoyable and heartwarming experience.

The only limits to your dogs training potential come from both you and your dog. If you do not wish to train your pet to advanced levels, then by all means train the basics until your pet is well-behaved, sociable and a loving pet. On the other hand, keep in mind that there are many other options that you and your dog could pursue that might be rewarding to you and your pet.

This does it for this training series. Come back often as we continue to provide canine training tips for the average person.

Example of a Well Trained Dog During Training Session

Posted by Deakster on January 8, 2009

I found this video today. This is a prime example of a well trained dog. While everyone may not think they need their dog to be this well-behaved, you should at least make sure your dogs adhere to important commands this well.

Important commands, such as sit, stay, or come should be done by your dog without any hesitation. This is for both your protection and the dogs. So strive for perfection on at least those three commands. Everything else will be a bonus.

Enjoy the video.