Who Are You? Canine Trainer, Leah Morse

Who Are You, Anyway?
Contract Trainer, Leah Morse
By Robert Forto, PhD

We are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and they have one of the best dog training journals around, especially for us in the canine training industry, The APDT Chronicle of the Dog. Each month in their highly acclaimed magazine, they have a member profile edited by Nicole Wilde. While we haven't been privy to be showcased in this column yet, I thought it would be appropriate to showcase each one of our trainers over the next few weeks so that you can get to know us and what we are about.

This week I will be interviewing Leah Morse. Leah is a graduate of our canine obedience instructor course and offers contract training at Denver Dog Works.

Let’s get to know Leah Morse, certified canine trainer:

Business Name: Denver Dog Works
Location: Denver, Colorado
Phone: 303-578-9881
Email: mforto@denverdogworks.com
Website: www.denverdogworks.com
Years in Business: 2 years
Personal Training Philosophy: Training a dog should have an equal priority level to proper nutrition and health care for a dog. Use as many techniques as possible to get a dog to think for himself and to choose to do the right thing happily. Dogs need an owner that provides adequate leadership, a safe and happy environment, structure and training.

How long have you been in business and what types of services do you provide?

I have been educating people how to raise and train their dogs for my entire adult life but professionally for 2 years. I have 20 years of retail pet experience, 10 years of vet assisting experience and have been raising and training dogs for over 30 years. I encourage touch free training but am prepared to incorporate all types of training. I offer private and group classes, in home private lessons and semi private lessons, puppy socialization “kindergarten” classes, basic obedience and some advanced obedience classes, behavior therapy. trick training, CGC (Canine Good Citizenship) prep.

How did you get started?

A phone call to Denver Dog Works, researching training facilities for a friend, and was informed by Michelle Forto of Denver Dog Works School for dog trainers. Next an interview with Dr. Forto and then I was well on my way to becoming a professional dog trainer and certified.


Are you involved in and dog sports or activities?

Would love to learn about tracking and herding but currently I am investing time in a competition obedience dog and an up and coming conformation show prospect.

How do you get business, and what is your relationship like with veterinarians in your community?

I have a very good relationship with my local veterinary practice in Bennett CO. I give the vet technicians free lessons to test drive the trainer and they refer clients to me. I have donated obedience private lesson packages to the local recreation center’s private auction. I also have acquired clients from Facebook, advertising in the employee lounge at my other employment, current word of mouth and soon to be a website.

Do you belong to a trainer networking group, or otherwise consult with/refer to other trainers in your area?

I work with Dr. Robert and Michelle Forto of Denver Dog Works and Sandy Chiavelli with Prairie Dog Acres in Strasburg. I have applied for membership with Colorado Dog Trainers Network. I am a member of APDT, a certified CGC evaluator, a member of MSDTC and am currently registered with TeachStreet.com and am in the process of connecting with some local Doggy Day Care Providers.

What do you believe are the three most important things to teach a dog?
That the owner is a confident Leader that provides a safe and structured environment and is worthy of respect.
That training is a fun game to play daily
That it is a pleasure to work for their people

What types of cases do you find the most challenging and why?

The most challenging cases are the owners that come for some or even all of the classes but don’t practice at home with their dogs. You see the dogs that are being regularly practiced with and the ones that aren’t and how much the practiced dogs progress compared to not. The frustration that then ensues between owner and dog (the unpracticed pair) could have been avoided by even a few quick sessions daily. There is such potential that is not being realized by the owner such as better relationship, a calmer dog, better owner/dog communication and the satisfaction of accomplishment. Basically as they say “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.

What teaching techniques or philosophies have you found helpful in dealing with your challenging cases?

Pay attention to the emotional status of the owner and the behavior/mood of the dog and try to add encouragement or stress release techniques if necessary. As tactfully as possible, point out what is observed and, quite often, the owner is harboring left over negative feelings from home or work or frustration at the dog.

Work the dog for the owner if the owner is really having a hard time.

What advice would you give to other trainers about working with dogs and their owners?

Allow new dogs to sniff around and get comfortable with the training environment prior to the session.

Pay attention to the demeanor of the owner and watch for calming signals given by the dog.

If the dog allows the trainer, demonstrate the techniques to the owner with the owner’s dog, as this shows that it can be done.

Can you offer a specific tip or trick for working with dogs or owners that other trainers might find helpful?

It is great that we all love dogs but you have to develop a love for people too. Loving/appreciating people, helps you to be tolerant and be more in tune to what a client actually needs. People know when you are frustrated with them or if you are disinterested. Common sense for you may not be for others, it just means that you heard it or learned it more than they did. Don’t judge an owner on their inadequacies but help them through them. You help the dog more in the end of if you connect with their people.

What was your scariest moment with a dog (or client)?
Watching a young handler get attacked by an aggressive dog he was working with. Fortunately it ended alright.

What would you say are the top three things you have personally learned as a trainer?

Patience, Patience, Patience,
Be flexible to a point
Be Personable

What was the last training related seminar you attended?

I am still progressing through a correspondence course as I am working towards another certification.

Are there any specific books, authors, DVDs that have influenced you as a trainer?

Many of the Leerburg training DVDs.
Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor.
Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas
Caesars Way
Tender Foot Training DVD
Monks of New Skeet
It’s Me or the Dog Cable Show

Anything else you would like to add?

It is my goal to help as many dogs stay home and out of the shelters and to help prevent as much as possible, future dog bites and behavior problems through prevention training, starting with young puppies by educating their owners.
I would like to see more professional dog trainers start to work together instead of against each other.

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and the host of a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show which can be heard every Saturday at 9:30 am in the Rocky Mountain West or downloaded anytime. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com