Thursday, October 29, 2009

We Have the Best and Train the Rest

We have the Best and Train the Rest
By Robert Forto, PhD

A lot is said about a training philosophy of a dog training school. Many times it is the first question that is asked when someone calls inquiring about bringing their dog to training. Philosophy means different things to different trainers but I assure you that if you don’t have a clear understanding of what yours is, you will lose customers.

Many people searching for dog training fall into four categories and we will discuss those with regards to your training philosophy and see if you and your training school are positioned correctly to meet the needs of your clients and their dog.

Three Types of Clients

The first type of client is the most common. It is the client whose dog has just destroyed the three thousand dollar leather couch and this is the last straw. They have put up with their dog’s “bad behavior” for too long and need help.

The second type is what I call the “big-box-store-rejects”. These are the clients that have attended a training class at a big box corporate training center and they just didn’t get their needs met. Think about it. Would you go to a doctor at a Wal-Mart? No. These training classes are great for socialization and basic manners but they are not equipped to fix behavioral problems.

The third type is “As Seen on TV” clients. These clients watch a dog training show on cable and realize that their dog has the “exact” same problem as the dog on the show. They may try a couple of the techniques (and with little success), and then call a dog training school and enter into training. The only problem with this is you will often hear them say: “It’s going to cost how much? And take how long? I just saw John (T.V. trainer’s name changed to protect the innocent) do it in 15 minutes on T.V.!”

The fourth type is the client that enjoys working with their dog. They have lived through the puppy stage, the adolescence stage, and the problem stage and now they are ready to have fun! These clients are ready to take sports classes like flyball, agility or Rally, working classes like therapy dog training or Canine Good Citizen testing, and the like.

There is nothing wrong with any of these four types of clients. These are the clients that keep you in business. These are the clients that are calling you because they need help. These are the clients that can bring you endless repeat business and referrals. But you have to meet their expectations and their training goals and this is where your training philosophy is so important.

Training Philosophy of Denver Dog Works in Bullet Points


• Know Yourself, Know Your Dog.

• A balanced dog is in a state of harmony with Mother Nature—as a calm submissive pack follower who is fulfilled physically with exercise, psychologically with rules and boundaries and limitations and emotionally with affection from his owner.

• Teach my clients the highest level of connection between two species.

• In terms of philosophy, teach my clients to choose a dog that is appropriate for them and their family.

• Teach my clients to acknowledge some deeper reasons for getting a dog: are you imposing your own emotional needs on the dog—and missing what your dog actually needs as a result?

• Teach my client the difference between discipline and punishment and how to set rules and boundaries and limitations on their dog.

• Teach my client what goes on in the canine mind and develop a stronger, more fulfilling relationship with their best friend and give back to their dog just a fraction of the many gifts he has given to you.

We Have the Best and Train the Rest

Our training philosophy at Denver Dog Works is not only a procedure but a lifestyle.
I have learned in the nineteen years of literally living with a pack of dogs and on the sled dog trail that it has offered me a unique perspective. There I was forced to examine my attitude about everything including my dogs. I was constantly challenged to become more open to the language dogs use to communicate with us. This experience confirms our deepest intuitions about the relationship of human beings not only with their dog but every aspect of their lives.
I hope to foster my clients with a diverse and varied understanding of the environment for which they live. I hope to foster a more realistic understanding of their dogs and an increased awareness of the benefits of their companionship.

Drawing on my experience as a kennel owner of 50 Siberian Huskies I will teach my clients how dog training goes far beyond the elementary instruction of basic obedience; as it must encompass a whole new attitude and lifestyle with their dog. It must touch on the levels of a dog’s own life that are often ignored.

In conclusion, I will bring my client into the world of a dog musher, canine behaviorist, and father of three by using my experience as a lens through which they may broaden their understanding of their dog. The stage will then be set for a balanced, lasting relationship between them and their best friend.

If you have any questions or if you would like to have your dog be one of the best trained dogs in the world please give us a call at 303-578-9881 or contact us through our website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Understanding Drive Behavior

Understanding Drive Behavior

By Robert Forto, PhD

Understanding Drive Behavior in Dogs

Instinctive behaviors, those our dogs have inherited from their ancestors and that are useful in the training process, can be grouped into three categories-Prey, Pack and Defense-collectively called Drives. Each one of these is governed by a basic trait. Every dog is an individual who comes into the world with a specific grouping of genetically inherited, predetermined behaviors. How those behaviors are arranged, their intensity and how many component parts of each drive the dog has will determine temperament, personality, suitability for the task required and how the dog perceives the world.

Behaviors in Each Drive

Prey Drive includes those inherited behaviors associated with hunting, killing and feeding on prey. It is activated by motion, sound and smell. Behaviors associated with prey drive are seeing, hearing, scenting, tracking, stalking, chasing, pouncing, high-pitched barking, jumping up, biting, killing, pulling down, shaking, tearing and ripping apart, carrying, eating, digging and burying.

You see these behaviors when a dog is chasing a cat or gets excited and barks in a high-pitched tone as the cat runs up a tree. Your dog may also shake and rip apart soft toys and bury dog biscuits in the couch.

Pack Drive consists of behaviors associated with being part of a pack, including reproduction. Our dogs are social animals that evolved from the wolf. To hunt prey mostly larger than themselves, wolves have to live in a pack, which means adhering to a social hierarchy governed by strict rules of behavior to assure order. An ability to be part of a group and fit in is important, and in the dog translates itself into a willingness to work with humans as part of a team.

Pack Drive is stimulated by rank order in the social hierarchy. Physical contact, playing and behaviors associated with social interaction with another dog, such as reading body language, and reproductive behaviors such as licking, mounting, washing ears and all courting gestures are part of pack drive. The ability to breed and to be a good parent is also part of the pack drive.

A dog with many of these behaviors is one that follows you around the house, is happiest with you, loves to be petted and groomed and likes to work with you. The dog may be unhappy when left alone, which can express itself as separation anxiety.

Defense Drive is governed by survival and self-preservation and consists of both Fight and Flight behaviors. It is more complex because the same stimulus that can make a dog aggressive (Fight) can also elicit avoidance (Flight) behaviors, especially in the young dog.

Fight behaviors tend to not be fully developed until the dog is over two years of age, although tendencies toward these behaviors will be seen at an earlier age. They can be observed in Bully, the dog that “stands tall,” stares at other dogs and likes to “strut his stuff.” Bully will stand his ground or go toward unfamiliar things, guard his food, toys or territory from other dogs or people and make dislike being petted or groomed. Bully is the one that will lie in front of doorways or cupboards, and his owner walks around Bully because he would not move on his own. These are all Defense Drive (Fight) behaviors.

Flight behaviors demonstrate that the dog is unsure. Hackles that go up the full length of the body-not just the neck-hiding or running away from a new situation, a dislike of being touched by strangers or general lack of confidence are all Flight behaviors. Freezing (not going forward or backward) can be interpreted as inhibited Flight behavior.

Personality Profile for Dogs

To help us understand how to approach each individual dog’s training, we cataloged ten behaviors in each Drive that influences the dog’s responses useful to us in training, and created the Personality Profile. The ten behaviors chosen are those that most closely represent the strengths of the dog in each of the Drives. The Profile does not pretend to include all behaviors seen in a dog nor the complexity of their interaction.

The results of the profile, will tell you about your dogs drives, this will in turn give you a good starting point for tailoring a training program to your dog’s needs. You can then make the use of the dog’s strengths, avoiding needless confusion and greatly reduce the time it takes to train the dog.

Evaluating the Profile

When completing the profile, keep in mind that it was devised from a house dog or pet with an enriched environment, perhaps even a little training, and not a dog tied out in the back yard, or kept solely in a kennel. Such dogs have fewer opportunities to express as many behaviors as a house dog.

Answers should indicate those behaviors your dog would exhibit if he had not already been trained to do otherwise. For example, did he jump on people or the counter to steal food before he was trained not to do so? Other behaviors are, in turn, only seen in a training context (for example during distraction training).

The Fight part of the Defense Drive does not fully express itself until the dog is mature, around two to four years of age, depending on the breed, although tendencies toward those behaviors may be seen earlier. Young dogs tend to exhibit more Flight behaviors than older dogs.

Of course this is just an introduction to the subject of Drive behaviors in dogs. At Denver Dog Works we use a balanced/natural approach to dog training. This is different than most of the big-box-corporate –store-training schools that so many are used to. In the balanced/natural method we spend a lot of time with the client and their dog before we even start training. We conduct a complete evaluation of the dog. In this evaluation we compile a complete history, give the dog the temperament/personality profile, figure out what the training goals are for the handler/owner and write down (realistic) expectations. We then tailor a training program to the individual dog, not some cookie cutter training program where every dog is trained the same way. We are so confident in our evaluation process that it is considered “intellectual property” by the State of Colorado.

If you would like to have your dog one of the best trained dogs in the world or if you would just like to talk about any of our programs please give Denver Dog Works a call at 303-578-9881 or send us an email at train@denverdogworks.com

Citation: Jack Volhard’s Personality Profile for Dogs

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project. Dr. Forto is the host of a weekly program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Monday, October 26, 2009

Evicted: Pets and the Foreclosure Crisis

Evicted: Pets and the Foreclosure Crisis
By Robert Forto, PhD


Dog Law is a weekly series in which I explore a different topic regarding canine law, legislation and procedures related to the legal side of owning our canine companions. I have been involved as an expert witness in many cases over the years, testifying on everything from breed bans, landlord-tenant disputes, aggressive dogs, dog bites and more. I am also a canine behaviorist and paralegal. If you have any questions regarding dogs and the law I would be happy to help. While I am not an attorney and I encourage you to seek out competent legal assistance should it come to that, I can be retained in most cases by both plaintiff and defense counsel to assist in your case as an expert witness.

Pets and Foreclosure

This is a re-print of an article that I posted some time ago. I thought it would be timely to re-post as there is recent news that the foreclosure crisis is not behind us. Many of us still face mounting debt and many Americans are forced to move out of their homes and leave their pets behind.

Just last week a county shelter in Washington State, enacted a policy stating that they would not allow any more “unwanted pets” in their facilities. These pets are often turned in as result of their owner’s dire financial straits. Please read the following article and post you comments and opinions. I look forward to hearing from you.

The house was ravaged — its floors ripped, walls busted and lights smashed by owners who trashed their home before a bank foreclosed on it. Hidden in the wreckage was an abandoned member of the family: a starving pit bull-- this was the image of a home in suburban California.The dog was too far gone to save — another example of how pets are becoming the newest victims of the nation’s mortgage crisis as homeowners leave animals behind when they can no longer afford their property.Pets “are getting dumped all over,” said Traci Jennings, president of the Humane Society of Stanislaus County in northern California. “Farmers are finding dogs dumped on their grazing grounds, while house cats are showing up in wild cat colonies.”

The abandoned pets are overwhelming animal shelters and drawing fury from bloggers, trainers, activists and rescue groups, especially as photos of emaciated animals circulate on the Internet.

Denver Dog Works in Colorado has seen an influx of shelter-saved dogs at the training center in recent months. All of the new owners say the same thing: “I don’t know the dog’s history we just wanted to save his life,” as quoted verbatim from more than one client. While this is admirable at best, and a challenge none-the-least when it comes to training the dog to accept a new home and new owners are facing an up-hill battle.

The first people to enter an abandoned house, such as property inspectors and real estate brokers, have discovered dogs tied to trees in backyards, cats in garages, and turtles, rabbits and lizards in children’s bedrooms.

No one keeps track of the numbers of abandoned pets, but anecdotal evidence suggests that forsaken animals are becoming a problem wherever foreclosures are climbing. Denver is reported to have the highest number of foreclosures per capita. Colorado also has some of the highest number of dogs per household. The two combined equal a disaster on an epidemic scale for wayward pets.

Despite months of warning before a foreclosure, many desperate homeowners run out the clock hoping to forestall an eviction. Then they panic, particularly if they are moving to a home where pets are not permitted.

Many of these people have no money, their credit mess and they cannot afford to move into an apartment and pay the extra fee for a security deposit for the pet, which is often hundreds of dollars.The situation has become so widespread that the Humane Society urges home owners faced with foreclosure to take their animals to a shelter. Many shelters even have a no-questions-asked policy.

In most cases, a pet owner is not required to give details about the reasons for them turning over the animal. Some organizations even have drop off boxes where an owner can take a pet anonymously.

Shelters are trying to keep up, but the spike in abandoned pets comes at a time when fewer people are adopting animals. Home sales are plunging to their lowest level in decades, and new homeowners are often the most likely to seek a pet.

Even people who are buying homes are not adopting pets.“People are not bringing home puppies because times are tough, and animals cost money,” says Dr. Robert Forto, training director for Denver Dog Works. “It is a sad fact that dogs in this country are disposable. That is uncalled for,” Dr. Forto says.

The mortgage crisis shows few signs of easing. Many real estate tracking companies announce that countless homeowners started to fall behind on mortgage payments in the past six months, setting the stage for record-number foreclosures this year. While the government and even our President have adopted programs for people in trouble, many do not meet the stringent qualification procedures.

For others, it is already too late.Shelters all over the Denver area are fielding more desperate calls from animal owners about to be evicted. Many call as a last resort after being turned down by various rescue groups with no room for more animals.“They’re usually breaking down on the phone,” said a shelter dispatcher recently quoted on a blog on the Internet. “I’m quite direct with them that there’s a 50-50 chance the animals might be put down.”

Still, shelter operators say, half a chance is better than none.“They may be euthanized at a shelter,” said Stephanie Shain of the Humane Society of the United States. “But they’ll be fed and have water and have a humane euthanasia, as opposed to spending the last days of their lives eating carpet or wallboard.”

Canine Behaviorists and trainers like Dr. Forto are furious with the “foreclosure pet” phenomenon, especially after seeing photos of emaciated animals on the Internet and those arriving at his training center in near feral condition.

Some critics say the pet owners have already proved they are irresponsible by buying houses they could not afford or mortgages they did not bother to understand.

The problem is exacerbated because most people grappling with foreclosure are returning to rental housing or moving in with relatives — two situations where it can be difficult or impossible to bring pets.

What we’ve always known is that when times are hard for people, they’re hard for their pets as well.

Abandoning animals is illegal in most states under anti-cruelty laws, but the laws are not rigidly enforced. In most cases it is just a fine of a few hundred dollars or the prospect of a misdemeanor on your record.

A relatively small price to pay when you are facing homelessness.Occasionally, albeit rarely, a family with will be reunited with the pet that they had left behind in their foreclosed house. In one case, a family was staying in a homeless shelter, and their dogs were being cared for by neighbors at the family’s behest. The family was able to find housing suitable for themselves and their dogs.

But happy endings elude a majority of foreclosure animals.“Their best shot is for the owners to plan ahead some,” Dr. Forto said. “But they did not plan when they bought their house. I do not see that happening anytime soon.”

Dr. Robert Forto, training director of Denver Dog Works, often trains many pets that are adopted from local shelters and offers discounts to those who call us and say they read this article. If you would like to schedule an evaluation with your dog please give us a call anytime at 303-578-9881 or via email at train@denverdogworks.com

Citation: American Humane Society website
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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Business End of the Leash: Media Relations

The Business End of the Leash: Media Relations in the Dog Training World
By Robert Forto, PhD



In Denver, Colorado I have high aspirations. I want to be the go-to-guy on every media outlet when they have a question about anything dogs. While this is a lofty goal, it is something that I have been working on for the past few months and it is paying off.

I have developed a great media list and have aligned myself (with a little help from Facebook and Twitter of course) with some local reporters and media personalities.

Media Relations

Developing a relationship with your local media is definitely worth the effort and can provide you with some of the bets advertising for your business and in most cases it is absolutely free! When I have worked with non-profits in the past, training a dog for a shelter or a rescue, getting publicity was relatively easy because it was a non-profit organization that was well known and respected. Denver Dog Works was mentioned favorably in the local media and we were published in the newspaper or on the Internet.

Our main goal was to train the dog well for the organization of course, but our secondary goal was to get mentioned in the media as often as possible in order to get maximum publicity as the de-facto dog training experts in the area. As with any for-profit business, we as dog training professionals have a goal of making money and getting clients. And I must say it, having worked in both non-profit and for-profit businesses; it is easy to get media coverage when you are promoting a non-profit service.

However, just because we are in the profit-making business does not mean we can get media attention—we just have to be more creative in our approach.

If we are to get publicity for our business through the media, we need to think like a journalist. Since my graduate degree is in Communication and I sat through my fair share of journalism and public relations classes, I can share with you some preliminary tips on how journalists think and what they are looking for in prospective stories.

Journalism 101

· There is editorial (subjective) and there is news reporting (objective)
· A feature story is simply a subjective story on a person or business that is unique.
· The journalist is always looking for a unique story angle.
· Who, What, When, Why and How are a journalist’s framework.
· A good photo opportunity is worth its weight in gold.
· The journalist is always on a deadline.
· Timeliness of the news is everything to the journalist.

It is important to keep the above in mind when you embark on your publicity plan. If your respect the journalist’s plight you will increase your chances tremendously of getting publicity and of being viewed favorably by your local media outlets.

Facebook and Publicity

I have been an active Facebook, Twitter and social media user for about a year and I update my profile everyday in regards to the goings-on of Denver Dog Works. While this has been a tremendous boon for my business, it should not be the only way that you update your customers and promote yourself. There are many people out there that do not use social media or are even still afraid of its implications.

My advice to you is to start a Facebook account for yourself and in turn start a Page for your business. There is a three-pronged approach to this. First Business Pages are indexed in Google and other search engines where personal pages are not. Secondly, it is against Facebook’s policies to promote your business on your personal page. If Facebook finds out you are doing this they can, and will, shut your account down. And third, by having a Business Page along with a Personal Page I have found that it lends to a bit of personality and realism to the Business Page. On my Personal Page I update things about my family and friends, my likes and dislikes and my infatuation with hockey and my kid’s sports. On my Business Page I keep it strictly business in regards to Denver Dog Works and I share stories, training updates and news and events.

A word of caution: Spending too much time on social media is obviously going to cost you and your business in terms of productivity. So limit yourself to a set number of posts or “tweets” a day. I update almost always from my iPhone and I will be remiss to admit most of the time it is while I am stuck in traffic or at a stop light. While I would not recommend you “tweet” while you are driving, and it is not only dangerous but illegal in many places, keep in mind you goals and develop a clear public relations plan.

If you would like to find our how you can become one of the best dog trainers in the world give us a call at 303-578-9881 or contact us through our website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Next Week: 3 ways to get publicity through the media.
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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and is the host of a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Thursday, October 22, 2009

More Than a Trainer...A Career

More than a Dog Trainer…A Career
By Robert Forto, PhD

A lot is said about culture in business. I have been working these past few months with a very dear friend of mine, a business genius and branding guru, David Sandusky. David owns a company called Your Brand and he hosts a forum that every business owner should subscribe to http://www.yourbrandplan.com. David and I have been working on the culture of Denver Dog Works and our affiliate businesses and we have come up with some great processes that are changing not only how we run our business but how our customers and clients perceive it as well.

According to a post on the Your Brand Plan forum culture is described as: “Individual brands make up the internal and external experience - or culture brand. Understanding your culture brand is critical to your success. What do you see happening that deserves discussion and what do you need? What are you doing to shape and communicate your real and changing culture.” This is critical to our success and yours if you own and operate your own business.

More than a Dog Trainer…A Career

Canine Communication Studies provides its students with more than an education in canine training; our students are offered the knowledge, skills and culture provided for professional dog trainers to become successful business owners. The broad scope of Canine Communication Studies’ courses immediately prepares the student to begin a full time or part time career training dogs upon completion of the course.

Those interested individuals come to our school from throughout the United States and come from all walks of life; including recent high school graduates, health care workers, police officers, graduate students, sales people, artists, teachers and more. No matter what their background and where they are from, they all have one common goal—to become the best dog trainers in the world and have a fulfilling career and/or business they enjoy.

Professional canine training is a profitable and very rewarding occupation as a main career or as a supplemental income. Our courses specialize in teaching the students obedience training, canine psychology and behavior, kennel design, nutrition, canine first aid and CPR, drive theory, canine sports, breeding, canine health, medications and vaccinations, client relations, business development, dog law, marketing your dog training business, ethics in dog training, and much more. We also offer apprenticeship programs in service dogs, protection training, canine sports, working dogs and kennel management as well as valuable insight into establishing a successful small business practice.

Over 80 percent take our 12-week canine obedience instructor/trainer course; however if you are unable to attend our school or cannot dedicate the time to become a full-time student, you can begin you career by taking our correspondence course and complete the remainder of the canine obedience instructor/trainer course at a later date. We do recommend taking the 12-week course if you intend to make dog training a full-time career and especially if you plan to open a dog training school of your own.

Upon completion of our courses, our graduates may pursue a multitude of options in the field of canine training and behavior. While most graduates establish their own full time or part time businesses, others work with established training centers, veterinary offices or boarding/day care facilities. Canine Communication Studies also offers graduates upon successful completion of the coursework a contract trainer position.

As a contract trainer you can become immersed in the culture of our business, Denver Dog Works. Denver Dog Works is involved in everything canine. We are a sled dog racing kennel with sights on the Iditarod in 2013, a service dog training school to provide canines for children with autism, executive protection training for high-end personal protection dogs, and of course obedience and behavior problems taught by some of the foremost canine experts in the field.
Our History

Canine Communication Studies and Canine Behavior Services of Colorado is the result of several endeavors. Dr. Forto developed and taught the first canine sciences course as a vocational certificate program to a service dog training program while he completed his doctorate dissertation in human-canine communication. This course formed the basis for Dr. Forto’s curriculum training dog trainers and obedience instructors around North America.

Dr. Forto continued to offer the Canine Sciences courses to meet the needs of his expanding dog training school which soon relocated from Minnesota to Colorado and became known as Denver Dog Works.

In 2006 with the opening of Denver Dog Works at 1842 S. Parker Rd. #16 in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Forto consolidated his training programs and dog trainer courses to one full-time location with several other “Dog Works” locations planned for the future. As his reputation grew from being a professional dog musher and as a certified canine behaviorist, Dr. Forto repeatedly receives requests from trainers wanting to learn more about canine aggression and other aspects of training that is quite a bit different than what they were taught as canine trainers—many of them professionals who want to incorporate science into their dog training classes, private training businesses and club programs.

Our Philosophy

Canine Communications Studies was founded to educate those who have a genuine interest and concern for dogs and to help establish a life-long bond with their owners in a balanced, natural approach. In addition, Canine Communication Studies prepares individuals for successful careers in canine instruction and behavior modification. Our experienced instructors instill their high standards of dog training skills and knowledge, as well as business cumin in developing an atmosphere to enhance these relationships with the students that is like family, not a college classroom with 30 students and an instructor at a lectern. All subject matter offered, both in the classroom and in practical application, is conducive to success of our graduates.

Canine Communication Studies is dedicated in advance the field of canine training, sports and working dogs, and the profession of dog training. We encourage all of our potential students to approach dog training as you would any educational endeavor. Our courses are college-level material and based on nineteen years experience literally living with, and working around dogs every day. If you start by having pre-conceived notions about canine training from what you see on television or read in books, there is a possibility that you will not be able to broaden your knowledge base.

At Canine Communication Studies we believe that effective communication is the key to improving and enhancing the relationship between dogs and people. We also believe that the education of each dog owner must be approached on an individual basis and not in a cookie-cutter-one-size-fits-all fashion. Each dog’s training should be based on the drive and temperament of the dog and this can only be achieved after a complete understanding of canine behavior and an initial evaluation. In our courses we address the varied approaches and methods to training dogs, which allows our graduates to have the ability to modify their approach based on the dog and the problem not the cost of the class or the availability.

At Canine Communication Studies we have the best and train the rest. This applies to both people and dogs. We have spent our lives working with dogs and educating owners. Training people who are interested in becoming the best dog trainers in the world is our primary goal.

If you are interested in a career in canine training or have ever dreamed of working with dogs every day. This is your calling! Give us a call anytime at 303-578-9881 or contact us through our website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works in Colorado. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Simple Sit

A Simple Sit
By Robert Forto, PhD

It is a common scenario at Denver Dog Works in Colorado. A frenzied dog owner will call us or come by our school nearly fanatical and begging for our help. The best friend they so desperately endear has become the canine equivalent of the school-yard bully. He pushes the owner around, jumps on the furniture, tears up your favorite pair of shoes or destroys your neighbors' fancy new suit while your dog greets your guest at your door when he arrives at your dinner party.

Whether you are just starting out with a new puppy, an older shelter dog, or realizing that there are some behavioral issues developing with your current dog, dog training can be a valuable asset for both owners and their dogs. There is tremendous value in obedience training. Here are just a few reasons why every dog should know some basic commands:

· Training helps to establish leadership with your dog.

· Training gives your dog a job to do for the things in life he wants which you provide.

· It begins to prepare your dog's mind for immediate responses to commands in social situations where he is required to sit/stay and down/stay.

· The consistency and repetition of simple sits and downs will begin to foster discipline in behavior.

· Training provides you with acceptable alternative behaviors to which you can redirect your dog. If jumping is inappropriate, redirect to sit.

The sit command is the easiest command to teach a dog and yet most people do not teach a well-disciplined sit. Most people teach their dogs to sit as young puppies, so dogs are already very familiar with and comfortable doing it, remembering all positive associations with the sit command-food, treats, praise, etc.

When I think of problem solving behaviors in dogs, you would be surprised how many behaviors you can stop with a well disciplined sit. Jumping, running out the front door, dog aggression, and yes, even barking, just to name a few. Think about it for a moment. If your dog is sitting, he cannot jump. The two behaviors are mutually exclusive. The same goes for aggressing on another dog.

Most people drop the ball in two places: weaning dogs off food treats too soon and distraction training. It really does not matter whether you use compulsion (no treats) or reward based methods to train as long as the dog is obeying without treats when you have the dog on a voice or a hand signal. But here is where the real work begins distraction training. A well disciplined sit means your dog has been "proofed" to sit around all the distractions to which he will be exposed.

Here are some helpful tips:

· Always train your dog on a leash so you will be able to reinforce commands. As your dog becomes more reliable you can move to off leash.

· Remember the 3-D formula for distraction training: duration, distractions and distance. You build time first (three minute sit/stay) then add distractions before you add distance from the dog.

Please remember, because dogs do not generalize well, you must always vary the level of distraction, the locations in which you train and your distance from the dog. Command elements such as tone of voice and different people handling the dog work well too.

While this all sounds like a lot of work, it probably is. But it is all relative to your dog's problems and your willingness to live with these problems or fix them and dramatically improve the relationship with your dog. A simple sit can solve many problems, but successful behavior modification will ultimately always begin and end with 100-percent compliance from you, your dog's owner. Remember that you are the leader in this relationship and what you say must go.

If you are interested in training your dog the natural way give Dr. Robert Forto a call at Denver Dog Works. He is the owner and training director of the school. Dr. Forto can be reached at 303-752-2818 or through his website at www.denverdogworks.com. He has over eighteen years experience working with canines of all breeds. While Dr. Forto specializes in canine aggression he often consults clients on becoming the pack leader in the dynamic relationship we have built with dogs.

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio show on Saturday mornings, The Dog Doctor Radio Show. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Monday, October 19, 2009

Dog Law: Pet Friendly Leases

Dog Law: Negotiating Your Way into a Dog Friendly Lease
By Robert Forto, PhD

Dog Law is a weekly series in which I explore a different topic regarding canine law, legislation and procedures related to the legal side of owning our canine companions. I have been involved as an expert witness in many cases over the years, testifying on everything from breed bans, landlord-tenant disputes, aggressive dogs, dog bites and more. I am also a canine behaviorist and paralegal. If you have any questions regarding dogs and the law I would be happy to help. While I am not an attorney and I encourage you to seek out competent legal assistance should it come to that, I can be retained in most cases by both plaintiff and defense counsel to assist in your case as an expert witness.

Dog Friendly Leases

As all pet-owning tenants know, most standard leases and rental agreements contain no pet clauses. Such provisions are legal everywhere and courts generally enforce them by allowing a landlord to evict a tenant who gets a pet violation of a lease clause and refuses to give up. There are however situations in which a no pet clause may not be enforceable If a tenant and dog are already living in a rental unit and:

1. The tenant can prove that keeping a dog is necessary for security or health reasons (i.e. service dog); or
2. The landlord agreed, no matter what the lease says, that the tenant could have a dog; or
3. The landlord tries to add a no pet clause to a rental agreement, or enforce an existing no pet’s clause after knowing about but not objecting to a tenants dogs for a significant period.

Negotiating a Pet Friendly Lease

Negotiating your way into a dog-friendly rental lease is not always an easy task. Although millions of Americans own pets, a landlord who doesn’t want to assume the risks associated with one may not want to rent to a pet owner. So how do you change his mind? You do it by following a few basic tips. In her article “Negotiate Your Way into a Pet-Friendly Pad during the Dog Days of Summer”, Peggy Abkemeier, president of Rent.com, tells renters how to convince a landlord to accept a pet. They are as follows:

Tip #1 - Do a dog-to-face interview.

Set up a dog-to-face meeting. Allow for basic obedience tests and inspections. Let the landlord see firsthand how well-mannered your pet is. If the meeting goes well, the landlord may be more willing to bend a few rules in order to rent you and your dog a space.

Tip #2 - Show proof of renters insurance.

Reassure the landlord of your good intentions of caring for his property by giving him proof of renters insurance. Be sure the liability limits are high ($100,000 or more). Also, highlight the pet clause in it, so he can clearly see that you are covered for any damage caused by your dog.

Tip #3 - Give a letter of recommendation.
Get a letter of recommendation from your prior landlord and neighbors. It should address the basic behavior of your dog while living in their community. Be sure it touches on subjects like “noise levels” and “over-all friendliness.”

Tip #4 - Validate that your dog has his shots.
Give the landlord a certificate verifying that your dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date. It will diffuse any fears he has about the overall health of your dog and safety of other tenants.

Tip #5 - Offer up an obedience-training certificate.
Even if he does not ask, show the landlord a certificate certifying that your dog has obedience training. This will assure him that you’ve gone the extra step to raise a well-behaved dog that won’t run wild on his property or keep the neighbors up at night.

Use these five tips and you’ll increase your chances of negotiating your way into a dog-friendly lease. You will also save yourself time and money because you’ll be prepared for any questions a landlord might have about your dog.

Handling Disputes

Before you run into court to hash out a disagreement with your landlord or tenant, remember that usually, everyone loses when it goes to court, You may lose time, and legal procedures have a way of escalating tension so that even petty differences start looking like life-and-death matters of principle.

The only exception to that dire rule is small claims court, which provides a relatively quick and painless way of resolving disputes over small amounts of money. But I recommend trying alternatives first.

One good alternative is mediation—getting people together with a neutral third person who helps them work out a problem. The mediator does not have the power to impose a settlement, but is trained to help people come up with their own solutions. Meditation is often quick and usually cheap or free.

Many cities have programs specifically designed to mediate landlord-tenant disputes. The mediators are familiar with the common problems that crop up between landlords and tenants—and dogs are certainly one of them.

If you would like to discuss the process of obtaining a mediator to discuss your dispute regarding a pet in a landlord-tenant dispute or if you have any further questions regarding this issue please feel free to call me anytime at 303-522-1727 or email at train@denverdogworks.com

Next week: My Dog is Priceless: How Much Can a Dog Owner Sue For?
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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto is a certified canine behaviorist and is often called as an expert witness in issues relating to canines. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com/

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Canine Trainers Forum: Influential People in Learning Theory Part I

Canine Trainers Forum: Influential People in Learning Theory Part I
By Robert Forto, PhD


This is the first in a weekly series of articles on Canine Training. We will post these articles every Saturday. We are going to start by posting articles about the history of human-canine communication and learning theory and why this approach is the de-facto method of training our companion animals. The training methods used by many trainers and training schools simply do not work. They are not based on the principles of how a dog learns. I classify these types of trainers into two groups: Yank and Crank and Wait and See trainers (We will discuss both of these methods in a future article so stay tuned and subscribe to our blog on our website Denver Dog Works). Both of these methods will have a degree of success but not a long term effect on changing your dog’s overall behavior. Both of these methods are an “easy way out” for training your dog.

I will be the first to admit that dog training is work. Hard work and it takes a great deal of knowledge, understanding, patience and adaption in order for it to be a success. Do you want to go to a trainer or training school that has a trainer that is still wet-behind-the-ears or is earning minimum wage at a big box store? Or do you want to go to a professional that has literally lived with a pack of sled dogs for the better part of fifteen years and earned his doctorate on the basis of human-canine communication? If you would like to talk about this in more detail, I encourage you to give us a call anytime at 303-578-9881 or send us an email at train@denverdogworks.com We look forward to hearing from you!
Influential People in the Development of Learning Theory

Huxley and Darwin
It is unclear when formalized studies of learning actually began, however, Professor Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) birthed the theory of association in the early 1870’s. Professor Huxley stated that “It may be laid down as a rule, that, if any two mental states be called up together, or in succession, with due frequency and vividness, the subsequent production of one of them [mental states] will suffice to call up the other, and that whether we desire it or not.”[i] This observation may very well have laid the groundwork for later studies in respondent and operant conditioning. Huxley was an outspoken advocate of the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882). The professor was so passionate in his defense of Darwin’s theories that he was often referred to as “Darwin’s Bulldog”.
In Darwin’s The Expression of the Emotion in Man and Animals, Professor Huxley’s influence was evident in Darwin’s observations of the emotions of man and animals. When studying animal expression Darwin was vividly aware of the challenges associated with those observations. He writes, “The study of expression is difficult, owing to the movements being often extremely slight, and of a fleeting nature.” [ii] Nevertheless, Darwin’s careful observations were of immeasurable value to later researchers. Darwin continued where Huxley left off by recognizing that movements, no matter how complex, can be performed with little or no forethought and minimal efforts when they have been performed with enough frequency. This premise was the foundation for Darwin’s Principle of Antithesis, which reasons, that states of mind lead to the performance of “habitual actions”, when a “directly opposite” state of mind occurs, there is a “strong and involuntary” tendency to perform movements and actions of a “directly opposite nature”. This principle is of special interest to observers of canine communication techniques, and can help the astute observer decipher the signal being sent and received by a canine, whether it is intra- or interspecies communication. Darwin states further “that gestures and expressions are to a certain extent mutually intelligible.”[iii]
Darwin speaks of his own dog’s “hot-house” face and reasoned that the opposite expression displayed by his dog was innate and not a deliberate attempt at communicating his desire to not go to the “hot-house.” He further states, “hence for the development of the movements which came under the present head, some other principle, distinct from the will and consciousness, must have intervened.”[iv]
While the vast majority of canine communication is accomplished via body language, there is some evidence that canines posses at least a limited verbal vocabulary. While most canines in the wild do not bark, but howl, this is not the case for the domesticated canine. According to Darwin “…some animals after being domesticated have acquired the habit of uttering sounds which were not natural to them. Thus domesticated dogs, and even tamed jackals have learnt [sic] to bark, which is a noise not proper to any species of the genus with the exception of the Canis latrans of North America, which is said to bark.”[v] In regard to the Principle of Antithesis “…the bark of anger, and that of joy are sounds which by no means stand in opposition to one another;…”[vi] This lack of observable difference between barks is likely the reason that canines rely on body language so extensively. Canine body language has been studied extensively and is well documented. If you would like to read my doctorate dissertation: Chasing the Dream: A History of Human-Canine Communication in the Sport of Dog Sledding in its entirety it can be purchased as a .pdf from for $19.10 please send me an email at train@denverdogworks.com and I will arrange it.

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[i] Huxley, Thomas Henry, Elementary Lessons in Physiology Fifth Edition, 1872 pg. 306.
[ii] Darwin, C., The Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals. (1872) Web Document. The Complete Works of Charles Darwin. http: //www.darwin-literature.com. Pg. 28
[iii]Darwin, C., The Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals. (1872) Web Document. The Complete Works of Charles Darwin. http://www.darwin-literature.com,Pg. 35.
[iv] ____________Pg.38.
[v] Darwin, C., The Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals. (1872) Web Document. The Complete Works of Charles Darwin. http://www.darwin-literature.com, Pg.53.
[vi] ____________Pg.56.


Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio program The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Friday, October 16, 2009

Dog Training Forum: FAQ's Board and Train

Dog Training Forum: FAQ’s for Board and Train
By Robert Forto, PhD


This is the first of a weekly series of articles on dog training. We will post articles every Friday about this subject on our website Denver Dog Works. It is designed to answer some of the frequently asked questions about the dog training world that is a mystery to many. To others they learn about dog training when they watch a show on cable and realize that they are not alone with their dog’s problems.


At Denver Dog Works we live by our motto every day: We have the Best and Train the Rest. By doing so we hold ourselves at a higher standard. One of the ways that we do so is offer a program called our Works program. We have several levels for both puppies and adult dogs. This type of program is commonly referred to as a Board and Train Program.

There are many important factors to consider in choosing the right training program for your dog with two of those that most people ask when they call are: price and time. This article will answer some of the frequently asked questions by our clients. I encourage you to read though this article and if you still have questions please give us a call at 303-578-9881 or send us an email at train@denverdogworks.com We look forward to hearing from you and help you make your dog achieve your goals and make him be one of the best trained dogs in the world!

Frequently Asked Questions about a Board and Train Program

What is in-board training?

In-board training requires that your dog be left with us at Denver Dog Works for the duration of the training. Our programs enable your dog to learn commands quickly and effectively. Having your dog on site is a key component to the success of our training. With consistent and countless repetition of commands, we accomplish much more than a weekly program.

Why consider in-board-training?

It is the most efficient and effective method of dog training. In a four-week program, your dog will participate in 60 training sessions. It would take 15 months of weekly sessions, and $2,400 to complete the same amount of training, in a private training class. In an eight-week program, your dog will participate in 120 sessions. It would take 30 months, and $4,800 to complete the same amount of training, in a private training class.

How early can I enroll my dog for training?

Puppy Imprinting - 10 weeks or olderBoot Camp - 6 months or olderObedience Training - 6 months or olderAdvanced Obedience - 12 months or older

Where will my dog be kept while in training at Denver Dog Works?

Your dog will stay in one of our boarding suites in Aurora, Colorado, with its own private crate or kennel, and between training sessions, have supervised opportunities to socialize and play. Unlike some boarding facilities with potential health risks and the stress of barking dogs, Denver Dog Works is a fenced and gated property, in a country setting. We want our guests to feel at home, while living in an environment conducive to dog obedience training.

If you do the training, will my dog still perform the commands at home?

Yes. just as service dogs are trained and turned over to their handlers, we complete the training and turn your dog over to you. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a DVD demonstration of your dog performing the commands, plus you will receive two follow up handler training lessons.

Will my dog ever misbehave after it graduates?

Dogs will be dogs. No form of dog training can guarantee that your dog will never misbehave again. However our method of training is effective, yet simple and easy for you to follow. We guarantee follow up assistance for the life of your dog. We stand behind our training!

How will I be able to find out about my dog's progress?

We use email as our primary method of communicating with owners. We send weekly updates that include photos, and a short narrative describing how your dog is responding to training.

How would you describe your training methods?

We use a style of training referred to as operant conditioning, and transition the dog through three phases: acquisition, proofing, and generalization. Through hands-on training and experience, we have developed a variety of ways to teach commands to dogs and use their diverse personalities and temperaments.We start by finding out what motivates the dog. Then we create conditions for the dog to be encouraged to follow commands that occur naturally (sit, down, heel). We focus on timing positive reinforcement, with the dog intuitively offering a response to a command.

What is clicker training, how is it different from your training?

Clicker training is a method of marking behavior with a clicker, which is followed by secondary reinforcement (treat). Clicking a clicker or offering a food treat simply will not stop your dog from chasing down a squirrel. We do not use clickers for training. In the early stages of training, we mark proper behavior with release and reward, however as we transition into phase two the dog learns to perform on command. Our training program is effective regardless of clickers or squirrels.

What is needed to confirm my dog's immunizations are current?

We need vet records confirming your dog has received the distemper combination, rabies, and bordetella (kennel cough) shots. If you do not have these records, they can easily be obtained by contacting your vet.

Whay if my dog is not ready to graduate by the end of the four, six or eight week session?

If your dog is not ready to graduate, we will continue dog obedience training at no cost to you. We guarantee our training 100%.

Can I visit my dog during the training process?

It is not recommended. Once your dog is dropped off at our site, it is normal for your dog to go through an adjustment period. Visiting your pet may prolong transitioning and cause further separation anxiety. In order for the program to succeed, we do not schedule visits for you and your dog until graduation or final pick up.

Why Denver Dog Works?

Your dog will be trained one-on-one by a team of certified trainers and under the supervision of Dr. Robert Forto who is a certified canine behaviorist. Each custom-tailored program, whether it is dog obedience, boot camp, positive behavior modification, puppy training, or working/sports training, is centered in repetition, consistency, and reward for dogs of all ages and personalities. We are certain you will bring home a canine obedient to your commands and prepared to participate in your life.

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto also hosts a weekly radio program The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com/

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Business End of the Leash: Marketing Your Dog Training Business
By Robert Forto, PhD

This is the first in a weekly series of what I call: The Business End of the Leash. It has been said that all it takes to become a dog trainer is a business card, a leash and a smile. It takes much more than that. It takes a savvy business owner, a good business plan and a little bit of luck of course. But being in this business for the past 19 years, I have learned a thing or two about owning a dog training business and that is what this series will hopefully teach you.

My first six months of business were very slow, I expected that, but the time I spent marketing my tail off and all of the sudden I was busy! Then within a month I was swamped with clients! I was so busy that I didn’t follow my own rule about marketing every day. Then after a couple months, my clients all seemed to graduate at the same time and it was dreadfully slow again. The problem was that I had stopped all marketing during that time, I paid the price. If you market your business continually, you won’t run into the marketing mad rush syndrome—you will simply, over time, develop a continual flow of business.

The Four P’s of Marketing

No discussion of marketing would be complete without mentioning the famous four P’s. They are important factors for you to consider as you develop any marketing plan. They include:

1. Product—in our case, our product is our service. The service (product) needs to be useful and beneficial to the marketplace.

2. Place—refers to the location of your business. If you have a physical location or are thinking of getting on, it is important to consider this and whether you will be able to physically get people to come to your office. Is your location convenient, high profile, effective signage, etc. For those of us you don’t have an office or training center, our location is the owner’s homes.

3. Price—for most people price is a definite factor in their decision-making. Most of the time, people cannot see immediately how your expertise can help them, or how your qualifications are outstanding—what they CAN see is price. Sometimes if your services are higher priced than your competitions, people will think you are better. However, some people might be scared away (the bargain hunters). When people are making a decision to buy a service, they will base it on how much they like or trust you in addition to price. The most important thing to consider is that people will buy your services if they feel like the benefits will be worth more to them than the cost.

4. Promotion—has to do with all of the marketing methods you use to get business.

I learned in business school that you are never too busy to market your business. While there are many principles out there in order to accomplish your marketing goals, the best and time tested method is to do a little each day. I was told once that you must market three hours for every new client that you want to gain. So, if you are a dog trainer and you want to teach 10 hours a week, you should plan on spending at least 30 hours a week marketing yourself and your business. Nobody ever said that dog training is a 40 hour a week job! If you want to be successful you will probably work 70 hours a week at first and that is what separates the businesses that fail from those that succeed.

If you have any further questions or would like to talk to me about business coaching for your business please give me a call anytime at 303-522-1727.
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Dr. Robert Forto has an MBA and a doctorate in Communication. Dr. Forto is a certified canine behaviorist and teaches people all over the world how to become certified canine obedience instructors and business owners. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Monday, October 12, 2009

Dog Law: Traveling with Dogs to Hawaii

Dog Law: Traveling with Dogs to Hawaii
By Robert Forto, PhD

This is the first in a weekly series on dog law. Each week we will explore a different topic regarding canine law, legislation and procedures related to the legal side of owning our canine companions. I have been involved as an expert witness in many cases over the years, testifying on everything from breed bans, landlord/tenant disputes, aggressive dogs, dog bites and more. I am also a canine behaviorist and paralegal. If you have any questions regarding dogs and the law I would be happy to help. While I am not an attorney and I encourage you to seek out competent legal assistance should it come to that, I can be retained in most cases by both plaintiff and defense counsel to assist in your case as an expert witness.

Special Hawaii Rules for Traveling with Dogs

As my good friend and travel agency owner, Ken Preuss of E-travel Unlimited, tells me, the world is on sale right now and one of the popular winter/holiday destinations for Americans is Hawaii. If you are planing a trip to Hawaii and planning on taking your dog, my advice is don’t!

Unless you are crossing national boarders you don’t usually need to worry about special restrictions on taking your dog with you. But if you want to take your pet for a tropical vacation, you need to know that Hawaii quarantines all dogs--including guide and service dogs, unless documentation is present and current--for 120 days when they enter the state. As a result, rabies is non-existent in Hawaii.

Not only do you have to give up your pet for four months, you have to pay for it: the current cost is over three hundred dollars, payable when the dog arrives in Hawaii. Airlines deliver the pets directly to state holding facility, and the state takes them to the quarantine station on the island of Oahu. Dogs are kept in individual outdoor runs. Owners can visit their dogs daily during afternoon visiting hours, but can not takes the dogs out of the kennel.

State officials stress that it is important for owners to arrange, in advance, for a private animal hospital to provide emergency veterinary care. The quarantine center handles minor ailments but does not have facilities for major medical problems. Unless a veterinary hospital has agreed in advance to accept an ill pet, the state will not take the animal to a private hospital.

For more information, please contact:
State of Hawaii
Department of Agriculture
Animal Quarantine Station
99-951 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, Hawaii 96701-3246

Phone: 808-483-7151
Email: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov

If you have any further questions about traveling with your pet please contact the State of Hawaii or Denver Dog Works, especially if you are traveling with a service dog, at 303-752-2818 for more information.

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Dr. Robert Forto is an certified canine behaviorist and the training director for Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com