The Last of the List but Not the Worst

The Last of the List but Not the Worst
By Robert Forto, PhD

Recently, the American Kennel Club (AKC) issued its list of the top ten dogs in the United States for 2009 (tabulated by registration numbers. I wrote a quick article about this last week and this week I am going to talk about the list ten dog breeds registered with the AKC.

As the owner and training director of Denver Dog Works we see all kinds of dogs come into our training center and I can safely say that all of the dogs on the bottom ten we hardly ever see. It is just like anything else, including canine behavior problems, quantity in numbers.

I urge all of you to do your homework when searching for the newest member of your family and do not automatically choose the dog based on popularity.

Least Popular Pure Bred Dogs

Skye Terrier
Canaan Dog
Sealyham Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Sussex Spaniel
Finnish Spitz
Otterhound
American Foxhound
Harrier
English Foxhound

At Denver Dog Works we provide breed referrals to help owners choose the dog that is best suited to the family’s lifestyle. If you have any questions please feel free to call us anytime at 303-578-9881.

Citation: http://www.akc.org

Tags: Robert Forto | Michele Forto | Iditarod | Team Ineka | Dog Training Denver | Dog Doctor Radio | Denver Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Duluth Dog Works | Minnesota Dog Works | AKC
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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Denver Dog Works and the host of a weekly radio program, The DogDoctor Radio Show. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

The Dog Doctor Radio Show is Back!

The Dog Doctor Radio Show is Back!
By Robert Forto, PhD

After a month long hiatus, the Dog Doctor Radio Show (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dogworks) is back on the air every Saturday morning at 9:30 am in the Rocky Mountain West or our you can download the show anytime from http://www.dogdoctorradio.com and find us on iTunes. If you are searching for us on iTunes just type in “Dog Works Radio Shows” in the search bar.

The Dog Doctor Radio Show is hosted by me, Robert Forto, and my business partner, wife and biggest fan, Michele. Our unique style is like no other Internet radio show in the world. We own and operate Denver Dog Works and we host the show from our training center and on location at several events each year like Denver’s Furry Scurry, the Summerset Festival and the Parker Barker Days. While you will find that all of our shows have a canine theme, we very rarely talk just about dog training. We focus our efforts on finding ways to capture the “behind the scenes” type stories in the world of our canine friends.

We frequently have on best selling authors, canine trainers from around the country and even a quirky guest or two. The Dog Doctor Radio Show strives to appeal to a broad audience and we have an International reach thanks to the power of the Internet and syndication on http://wwww.blogtalkradio.com

We save all of our past shows in our library and you can download an episode anytime by visiting our website at http://www.dogdoctorradio.com While we have parted ways with our previous producer due to creative differences we will continue to produce quality programing every week.

The Doctor Radio Show celebrated our one year anniversary this past January and we hope to be on the air for years to come. We welcome any show topics, guest suggestions or if you have a question for us please feel free to email us anytime at live@dogdoctorradio.com

The Dog Doctor Radio Show is presented by Dog Works Training Centers, a professional canine training center in Denver, Colorado and is the co-sponsor for our sister show Mush! You Huskies (http://www.mushingradio.com) Mush! You Huskies is a show about dog powered sports and mushing. This show is geared towards winter dog sports enthusiasts and fans of the Iditarod. I am training for my first Iditarod in 2013 and both our shows: The Dog Doctor Radio Show and Mush! You Huskies will chronicle my adventures on the trail.

Come along and join our listenership. If you want up to date news and notes please become a fan of Denver Dog Works on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/denverdogworks) and follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/denverdogworks)

Tags: Michele Forto | Robert Forto | Iditarod | Team Ineka | Dog Training Denver | Dog Doctor Radio | Denver Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Duluth Dog Works

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and the host of The Dog Doctor Radio Show. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Learning About Sanitation

Learning about Sanitation
By Leah Morse

Sanitation to me is so important so I am going to go into great detail.

So now I have joined the many who feed their dogs a species appropriate diet of raw meat and bones. I want to make sure that I keep my dogs and my family as safe as possible. This new diet now means that I will be handling substantially more raw meat and all the potential dangerous germs that can be associated with that. However, let’s not forget that simple dog food has been found to contain both salmonella and E. coli. I wanted to make sure that how I handled, prepared and cleaned and sanitized afterwards were very thorough. As I work for a major health care insurance company, it has been completely ingrained in my brain the dangers of contaminated surfaces, improper meat handling and how germs are so easily transferred. I think about the commercial that shows how germs transfer so easy from your hands to every surface that you touch. This was going to be a dilemma as I am not a big fan of using lots of chemicals. I do care about the environment and how these same chemicals can soak into our skin and fumes be inhaled.

So I purchased some new spray bottles and filled one with 50% Bleach and 50% Water the other spray bottle I filled with 50% White Vinegar and 50% water. DO NOT EVER MIX BLEACH AND VINEGAR as it is a dangerous and potentially lethal combination. I was not happy with the bleach solution as I ruined my clothes and the fumes were something else. I also did not like spraying the kennels with it as sensitive as a dog’s sense of smell is, the bleach fumes did not seem to dissipate. I had researched (http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Kitchen-Sanitation/Detail.aspx ) environmentally friendly (and subsequently better for us) sanitizers. The best mix that I use is 50% White Distilled Vinegar and 50% water with a few drops of aroma therapy peppermint oil. The peppermint gave the staunch odor of the vinegar a more appealing fresh scent. Once the vinegar dried the smell seemed to dissipate.

I also purchased stainless steel bowls, which are better for our pets anyway as they can be run through the dishwasher and don’t harbor bacteria like porous plastic bowls do. After working in a vets office and hearing over and over again to use ceramic crock bowls or stainless steel to help prevent problems like canine and feline acne, it was not hard to transition to stainless steel.

I purchased 6 stainless steel bowls and 4 stainless steel buckets for water (water should be fresh, clean and always in a clean container), enough to be able to have at least 2 sets. This way I could put them all in the dishwasher to save time and have extra sanitation. After working in a vets office and hearing over and over again to use ceramic crock bowls or stainless steel to help prevent problems like canine and feline acne, it was not hard to transition to stainless steel.

I also purchased, from a local hardware store two remnant pieces of vinyl (5 foot by 6 foot) to put under their 4 foot by 6 foot kennels for easier clean up. The galvanized steel chain link was easily sanitized but the cement floor was not. Having the vinyl floor piece brightened up the kennel area for an added bonus.

Last but not least, I purchased nitrile disposable gloves to wear while I cleaned or handled the meat.

My procedure is to put on the gloves and measure out the meat, veggies and supplements for the meal. Each dog was then fed and allowed to finish. I always pick up bowls as soon as they are done. All go outside to lick and clean each other off, enjoy some sunlight and do their business then back inside. Meanwhile, I am cleaning bowls, cleaning the counter area with vinegar or loading the dishwasher and then quickly cleaning their respective areas with the vinegar solution. Everyone has a clean kennel to come back to and it literally only takes me a few minutes. From Preparation to clean up, it really only takes me about 20 minutes with 3 dogs in the morning and at night. It takes less time if I get it ready the night before. I am very conscience about what I touch and also making sure all surfaces are cleaned. I save used ziplock bags to enclose the meat packaging prior to throwing it away to help keep trash odor down. I also make sure to keep the dog run clean and I frequently am picking up what little my dogs are now leaving. Again it is substantially less (definitely not nearly the amount they are fed) and also seems to break down and decompose very quickly.

Next week: Where do I get the ingredients and what ingredients should I start with.
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Leah Morse is a certified canine trainer and the owner of Rocky Mountain Classic Canine (http://www.rmclassiccanine.com) Leah can also be reached through our website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Raw Food Diet for Dogs

Learning to Feed Bones and Raw Food to Boxers
By Leah Morse

This will be the first of a series of blogs that I want to share my experience with learning to feed raw diet to my dogs. It is a controversial way of providing nutrition for your dogs. I am not suggesting that anyone follow these guidelines that I have chosen to do for my own dogs. I am just simply sharing the information that I have found and where I found it. I have seen some amazing changes in the health of my dogs but this is, by any means, a simple way to feed your dog. It takes planning and work. The days that you are tired and don’t feel like preparing an extra meal, or paying for it, for that matter, you still have to do it. Your dogs can’t feed themselves. I have gotten creative at saving on the cost but again this creates more work. I am thankful to own a Vita-mix blender (http://www.vitamix.com) which saves me time and blends down the veggies, raw eggs and shells to liquid if needed. I am simply sharing my experiences. I am not a veterinarian; I am also not a health care professional. This theory of feeding raw species appropriate diet can have serious health risks associated with incorrect handling, preparing and feeding. NEVER EVER FEED COOKED BONES! Cooking bones changes the molecular structure, they become brittle and may splinter which would injure or kill your dog! Do not feed bones that are frozen either, as they can and will ruin your pet’s teeth. All bones must be thoroughly thawed before feeding. Mixing raw meat with cooked meat can cause digestive problems. If feeding raw diet is your goal read as many books and literature as possible. Find people who are already feeding and have experience to have as mentors. Use your own good judgment, when in doubt, don’t do it. The ideas and opinions in this blog are my own and come from feeding my dogs this way since 2008, unless otherwise credited. I am by no means an expert, just sharing my own acquisition of information and observations from my own dogs. Take any ideas that I present here at your own risk and discretion. I, for one, have found it worth it.

After suffering through the agonizing cancer and liver disease deaths of my late great boxers Bohdi and Leelu, I vowed to dedicate myself to being part of finding a solution rather than just a victim of diseases that plague boxers and many other breeds for that matter. I have tried many different top brand highly nutritious dog foods only to be somewhat satisfied. I have gone to many dog food nutrition seminars put on by Iams, NutroMax, Science Diet and others. I experimented with adding supplements and veggies to these great foods. Then the great dog food recall of 2007 happened and Melamine (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/) seemed to be the main problem. In my opinion it seemed that outsourcing their manufacturing to other countries (or at least procuring ingredients from them), quality control is not the same as in the United States to save on their bottom line. I spent thousands of dollars on drugs and medications for a variety of ailments. Though there are many theories out there I, for one, believe that environment and nutrition quality play a huge role in keeping our furry children happy and healthy. I know that when my husband and I started eating healthier and incorporating more fresh nutritious choices into our everyday meals, we began to feel much better and we did not have trouble with as many ailments.

So I made my decision and decided to experiment with raw diet, B.A.R.F diet (Bones and Raw Foods) with my dogs. I was terrified at first. After being a veterinary assistant for 10 years, 20 years in pet retail and now as a professional dog trainer, where I preached to never feed people food, I was going to go against everything I had once believed. Although the bird nutrition classes have always pushed to feed fresh as it was the best. Still grieving from the loss of Leelu (just shy of 10 years when we lost her to the horror of hemangiosarcoma) I wanted to do everything that I could for the eight year old rescued boxer and the eight month old boxer puppy that we had left. I had noticed that Bohdi’s health was starting to go downhill. So I did due diligence and scoured the internet, I ordered books (Dr. Billinghurst’s book “Give Your Dog a Bone” and “Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats the Ultimate Diet” by Kymythy R. Schultze C.C.N., A.H.I. I joined B.A.R.F chat networks and groups on Facebook. I found these to be quite informative.

I had read that I should keep track of the health of my dogs. In the beginning, both had moderately shiny coats. Bohdi’s energy level seemed to be declining and Story had a normal puppy energy level. Bohdi was on a thyroid maintenance prescription drug, a Glucosamine supplement, pepcid (prescribed for his daily struggle with a sour stomach) and a daily pain relief prescription drug. Both dogs, as many boxers do, suffered us with their flatulence. Bohdi had stained teeth but had just had a dental cleaning done. Much to my surprise the puppy started to show signs of a small amount of tarter building up on her Carnasal molars. I was feeding Blue Buffalo brand food to both, one of the better and more expensive processed dog foods. One of the things that really bothered me about feeding such expensive processed food was that I seemed to feed the same amount that I was picking up afterward in the dog run. I thought that feeding premium foods was supposed to give you less to pick up. I seemed to feed 40lbs of dog food and then I seemed to pick up the same 40lbs in stool.

I finally broke down and purchased chicken wings with the purpose of feeding them to my dogs. I had found that non wait bearing bones were the best and that chicken wings backs and necks had just about the right ratio of bone to meat. I split the dogs up and gave them each a raw chicken wing. It was a strange experience to feel both the excited anticipation of healthier dogs and also the pit in my stomach that said “What did I just do?” I intently watched as the older dog, Bohdi, cautiously sniffed the wing picked it up and gave it a little shake only to drop it again. He then picked it back up and started to chomp through it. A couple of cracks and smacks and the chicken wing disappeared down his throat as he licked his lips. Bohdi looked at me as if to say “Is that it?” I wasn’t comfortable with giving more until I saw how he handled it. Meanwhile, out in the dog run, Story, the puppy, was shaking and licking her chicken wing. It took her much longer to figure out that it was something she could touch and then that it was more than just a toy but she finally got the job done. I kept my eye on both of them the rest of the evening and as gross as it may seem I kept a close eye on their bathroom habits. The morning after my initial feeding of the chicken wings I was anxious to see what the end result would be. I was terrified and had a rough night of sleep, envisioning a quick trip to the local veterinary hospital to extract the bones from my poor dogs. On the contrary, both dogs were fine and had normal stool, yet smaller amounts and much to my surprise I could actually see the digested bone. White dog stool that literally disintegrated as you tried to shovel it up. Another added bonus was that it did not smell nearly as bad. Third bonus was that Bohdi, who usually has an easily upset stomach, was having no digestive issues that I could see, at all. Last but not least, our dogs did not seem to have foul smelling gas. Day one of feeding Raw Diet appeared to go well. Their next meal would, again, be chicken wings with the addition of pureed celery. Now I would start planning meals and start keeping track of the cost. Research where to get the ingredients cost effectively. I wanted to come up with a system that lowered my risk of contamination in the kitchen and that would be the most sanitary for our dogs. I was also going to really educate myself about supplementation. My experiences will follow in future blogs.

If you have any questions for Leah or would like to learn more about feeding a raw diet to your dogs from someone that has first hand experience, please give us a call at Denver Dog Works at 303-578-9881.

Tags: Denver Dog Works, Dog Training Denver, Colorado Dog Trainers, Leah Morse, Canine Nutrition, Raw Diet for Dogs, Robert Forto, Dog Works Training Centers, Rocky Mountain Classic Canine, Your Brand Plan
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Leah Morse is a canine trainer and the owner of Rocky Mountain Classic Canine in Colorado. Leah also is a contract trainer for Denver Dog Works and a former student. Leah can be reached through Denver Dog Works at http://www.denevrdogworks.com

Doggierobics Anyone?

Doggierobics Anyone?
By Michele Forto

Have the effects of the economy affected your decisions regarding your pets? Did you decide not to train the puppy or rescued dog you have because you feel you can’t afford it. Cut back on your pets care because you’ve lost your job, or even given that dog away or worse abandoned them because your home was foreclosed on.

In today’s economy understandably pets become disposable. This is a sad but true reality in our society. Pets enrich our lives in so many ways and our society has included dogs alone as our number one companions for thousands of years.

Too often in my line of work I see great dogs that have been taken to shelters and luckily get adopted by a person willing to invest in good veterinarian care, socialization, and training for their new dog. The dogs I see most are between the ages of 6 months and 2 years of age. The simple and most common reason is that the dog became more of a hassle than the people bargained for. That Christmas puppy is no longer cute and cuddly, he’s now untrained and still not house trained.

The cost to society outweighs the cost to individuals who decide that getting a pet also means paying for veterinarian care, socialization, and training. When you take your dog to a shelter and you are no longer responsible for their care it becomes society’s burden.

Training your dog is and can be affordable. Getting out and doing things with your dog helps you get exercise too. If you are experiencing economic problems try cutting back on that fitness club membership and trading in the treadmill for the sidewalk or the open space trail just behind your house. Grab your dog and get going on a brisk walk. Eventually you and your dog could be jogging and benefiting from the fresh air and tranquil scenery.

Of course, I am writing this article while it’s snowing in Denver. So how do I apply exercising and training my dog during inclement weather? At Denver Dog Works I offer a lifetime group class on Saturdays. This class gives my clients the opportunity to exercise and train their dogs at least once a week. This is better than no training and no exercise. The group class incorporates socialization as well.

Other training centers offer group classes in a variety of training goals. Talk with your trainer and see if they can design specific training group classes to address your needs and your dogs’ needs. In other words, you could potentially do aerobics with your dog! In fact, become a fan of Denver Dog Works on facebook and be on the lookout for upcoming special group classes like doggierobics.

Many trainers do not take payment plans for their services but several will and several trainers have affordable training options for all income levels. One of the best classes you can take and invest in for your dog is Canine Good Citizen developed and sponsored by the American Kennel Club. I offer these classes at Denver Dog Works for puppies as well as dogs 6 months and older.

The bottom line is your pet will be an asset to you and your family. By providing emotional support and exercise for you. Do not give up on your pet, adjust your way of thinking and breathe some fresh air with Fido and take in a new prospective.

Tags: Denver Dog Works, Dog Training Denver, Canine Training, Puppy Obedience Dog Training, Michele Forto, #dogs #dogtraining your brand plan
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Michele Forto is a certified canine trainer and the CEO (Chief Evaluator Officer) at Denver Dog Works. Michele can be reached through her website at Denver Dog Works (http://www.denverdogworks.com

Who DAT? NLP in Canine Training

Who DAT? NLP in Canine Training
By Robert Forto, PhD

Many times I am asked at my training school, Denver Dog Works, are you a coach or a trainer? I tell them that I am more of a coach. I work with clients and their dogs in a way that is like no other canine training center in the country. I employ a technique called Neuro-Linguistics or NLP. By using this cutting edge way of training it allows my clients to achieve their goals much quicker. Whether that be basic obedience for their new puppy or competing in a sport such as competition obedience or skijoring. You see, NLP is all about taking charge of your thinking-- finding out about your own thinking patterns and noticing when they become barriers to your success. When you know how you are blocking your own success, you can use your new insights to start to make changes. As most of you know, canine behavior problems often have a root cause of the owner doing (or not doing) something. Whether it be allowing your pup to jump on your friends when they come over or in competition obedience not getting that change of pace just right.

Taking charge is not just about taking charge of your thinking; NLP gives you the chance to take charge of your life. The notion is a revelation to many people when they think about canine training, especially canine sports. The days of dog training at your local big-box store for canine sports are long gone. People increasingly experience not all canine trainers are created equal and many trainers at the local pet department store is just not equipped to train you and your dog to reach your full potential.

Think about it. What if you could learn how to work in harmony with your dog and each of you work in perfect tandem together. Whether it be a simple sit when you meet and greet a stranger or that absolutely fluid movement you have seen the champions do in the obedience ring? Do you want that? Yes, you do!

By incorporating NLP into your training routine it will give you a clear sign that you can be the best and your dog will be one of the best trained dogs in the world. It will take some time to notice that you are putting up obstacles for yourself (and your dog) thats where I can help. But as soon as you are aware of how you are thinking, you are on the road to change and on the road to that championship you have always dreamed of.

Now is the time to take charge of your canine training and destiny. NLP, partnered with canine training, gives you all the help you need.

If you would like to schedule a consult with me on how we can coach you to peak performance, give us a call at 303-578-9881.

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Dog Works Training Centers and is 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 any time. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

How Dental Disease Can Affect Your Pet

How Dental Disease Can Affect Your Pet
By Robert Forto, PhD


I will be the first to admit that I don't bush my dog’s teeth. I know it is a bad thing to do and as a canine behaviorist I should be the strongest advocate for canine health care this just one of those things that I always forget to do, as do most pet owners.

When I adopted my Siberian Husky, Ineka, many years ago the first thing I noticed was he was missing a Canine tooth, one of the large pointed ones. I don't know if he lost it due to injury or decay but it didn't seem to bother him. After several years and of course many bones (said to work well in canine hygiene) we did take him to our vet’s office to have his teeth cleaned. Mind you he was well over 10 years old at that time. They had to do blood work on him to make sure that the anesthesia would not harm him and they had to put him to sleep for the procedure. Several hours later his teeth were cleaned and they had to pull a few of them because they had cavities. I was told this is how they do it now.

Dental Care for Your Pet

If you notice an odor coming from your pet’s mouth it may be a result of some form of dental disease. Your veterinarian can correctly diagnose the problem and suggest treatments. Here are some of the basic facts about dental disease.

According to experts, many pets over the age of two have some form of periodontal disease. Any odor other than nice, clean-smelling breath may indicate a problem. Dental disease is graded in four steps:

Grade I - some tartar and breath odor.

Grade II - heavy tartar and some gum recession; gums are reddened and infected.

Grade III - severe tartar and gum recession; teeth are often loose, gums very reddened and inflamed, severe breath odor.

Grade IV - severe tartar with tooth loss, severely infected gums, gums very receded, swollen and bleeding, and tooth roots are exposed, severe breath odor.

Considering that a human visits the dentist for a toothache, imagine how your pet feels with inflamed gums, heavy tartar and loose teeth. Eating may become difficult. In addition to the discomfort, your pet is at risk for serious health conditions. As bacteria collects along the gum line, it produces acids. These acids gradually inflame the gum tissue, and the ligaments that hold teeth in place. As tartar builds, and works its way under the gum, bacteria and acid continue to erode more tissue. Teeth become loosened, and may start to fall out on their own. Bone from the jaw also becomes affected and starts to reabsorb, leaving loose teeth. As the mouth tissue becomes more swollen and infected, it will eventually start bleeding. Now the bloodstream can pick up the bacteria from the mouth and circulate it through your dog or cat’s entire body. Dental disease has been linked to kidney, heart and sinus infections. This is why your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics before your pet has any dental work done, as well as after any procedure.

Many clients have said their dog acts like a puppy again once the diseased teeth and resulting infections have been addressed. Loose teeth are usually removed, because too much damage has already occurred, and they can not be saved. Your dog or cat can actually eat quite well and get along with no teeth if necessary and can live a longer and healthier life with a healthy mouth. We urge you to visit your veterinarian and have your pet's teeth and gums evaluated.

This article is provided as a general overview of the topic. Always consult your veterinarian for specific information related to diseases or medical care for pets.

Source: ABKA

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Dr. Robert Forto is the the training director for Denver Dog Works and the host of The Dog Doctor Radio Show. Dr. Forto can be reached at through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Culture of Denver Dog Works: Service Availability and Belief

Culture of Denver Dog Works: Service Availability and Belief
By Robert Forto, PhD


This is the fourth installment in a series on the Culture of Denver Dog Works. I am only only doing this to give our readers an idea of what we are about at Denver Dog Works but also as an exercise for us here at the training center to make sure we are all on the same page and delivering exceptional customer service and training a client's dog to be one of the best trained dogs in the world.

The 10 Elements of Culture as defined by Denver Dog Works are:

Integrity
Professionalism
Development
Service Availability and Belief
Character
Self Development
A Event Culture
Structured Activity
Leadership
Fun

Service Availability and Belief at Denver Dog Works and our Culture:

Along with a strong belief in your own inner voice, you also need laser-like focus combined with unwavering determination. -- Larry Flynt

Yes, I know who Larry Flynt is. That is not up for debate. What I interpret from his quote is that in business you have to belief in yourself in business and if you second guess you will not accomplish your goals.

A lot can be said about the way one business approaches it’s day to day operation over another but you know what? That is what separates the businesses that will succeed and those that will fail.

Service Availability

At Denver Dog Works we designed our business on 40 years of collaborated dog training experience. We pride ourselves on our ability to build you a customized training package with the ability to adjust the program as needed if necessary. Learn how to train your dog with Denver Dog Works and experience the best pet relationship you could ever imagine.  At Denver Dog Works you won't feel like your walking through a revolving door. You will feel like your taking your dog to the gym! Our trainers will keep you motivated and wanting to come back. Training is for life! For you and your dog.

Core Beliefs

At Denver Dog Works we truly are a mom and pop business. My wife, Michele, and I work every day to make our business a success and something that we can be proud of. We include our family in our business and if you have stopped in on a Saturday you will see our 12-year old daughter Nicole working right along with us. This is important to us and is what we believe in.

I say that at Denver Dog Works we don’t just train dogs, we change lives. In our work with our service dog training program and our constant reminder of the need for a quick and educated response to canine aggression, we strive to make that our business model. As we have covered in previous articles about our culture; our core beliefs are important to us and they should be important to you.


1.) Integrity: At Denver Dog Works we strive to provide each client with the most up to date thorough training available. We design your training program to fit your needs.

2.) Professionalism: At Denver Dog Works we believe that each client is an individual with individual needs for their dog and their lifestyle. There is no cookie cutter packaging available at Denver Dog Works. Our professional staff takes the time to listen to your goals and concerns during our initial evaluation.

3.) Education: At Denver Dog Works all trainers are certified in canine behavior. All staff members are certified in canine CPR and first aid. We have the best and train the rest! We pride ourselves on continuing our educations and experiences by learning new methods as well as updating old methods. We can teach you how to train your dog for any goal. We specialize in sport training and understand the various methods and tools utilized in sport training.

4.) Quality: At Denver Dog Works we believe in the quality of our training rather than the quantity. There are times when an hour long session isn't going to be enough. In those cases we schedule longer class times to adjust the needs of our clients. We also will address minor behavior issues if they arise in our private lessons and our camp works programs. If it is determined that a larger behavior problem exists we refer you to our canine behaviorist.

Denver Dog Works cares about you and your dog. Our attention to service and customer care gives us the opportunity to expand our availability to you.


I encourage any feedback you may have and of course share the culture of your business as well. I can be reached anytime by email at train@denverdogworks.com

Next Week: Character

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Dog Works Training Centers 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 download it anytime. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Dog Doctor Radio Show #52

Show Notes: The Dog Doctor Radio Show #52
By Robert Forto, PhD

Week 52 Show

You can listen to the show at http://tinyurl.com/dogdoc

1/30/10

Intro It is a beautiful day here in the Rockies. Its hard to believe that we are heading into February already.

News Notes and Events

Todays Show: Unleashed, Anniversary Special
2/6/10 Pet Airways
2/13/10 Chris Fuller from Influence Leadership and Mushing in the Olympic Games
2/20/10 Deb Jacobs back on to talk in depth about Animal Hoarding
2/27/10 NO SHOW Topic Yet
3/6/10 Iditarod Special
3/13/10 Dog Doctor Junior Nicole will be back on the air!
3/20/10 Dog Works Training Centers Mushing Recap
5/1/10 Live Remote Broadcast Furry Scurry
6/19/10 Live Remote Broadcast Goose Chase

We update our Blog everyday at http://www.denverdogworks.com

This is our one year anniversary! Congratulations to all that support this show and everyone behind the scenes, first I want to thank my wife, my cohost, my biggest fan and supporter, Michele, next our producer, Mark Crowley, our generous guest Ken Preuss for the use of studio space at the E-travel Unlimited International Headquarters, David Sandusky at Your Brand Plan and all the guests that have been on this year and made this show a huge success!


Camp Works

Mushing update (Mushing in the Olympic Games Tease, Iditarod updates tease, Team Ineka tease) Starting March 6, 2010 I will be giving daily updates on the Iditarod and I am working out the logistics to be up in Anchorage this year for the start and to attend the Musher’s Ball.


Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks

We spoke to Kelly Acree the co-owner of Unleashed an Indoor Dog Park in Dallas Texas. This is the first of its kind in the nation. It includes a cafe, pet shop, grooming, training, seminars and two seperate play areas for big and little dogs. The place cost 10 million dollars to build and it costs a nominal fee of jus $7.50 per day and that is for a full day so the dog/owner can come and go all during the day. The dog owner can visit a “pet friendly cafe” and use the free wifi. This is the ultimate in pets.


Commercial

Etravel Unlimited is our host for studio time. We are proud to be associated with E-travel. They are our travel partner for all of our business and occasional pleasure trips. In fact we are going to be on a cruise booked through E-Travel Unlimited in October. It is a who-done-it-Sleuth Cruise in the Mexican Riviera. If you would like to book this adventure please call Ken or Sandy at 888-770-9225 or visit etravelunlimited.com


Be sure to fan us on Twitter and Facebook under Denver Dog Works and Team Ineka. and if you like what you hear on the DogDoctor be sure to click that Favorite button on the blog talk site.

Special We are offering and exciting special that just started today. We are offering 15 sessions for $579 that is 38 dollars a session for basic obedience or an intro to a sport such as rally, foundation agility, competition obedience and CGC. We have only a few spots in our schedule for this each day so please call Michele at 303-578-9881. We also have a 99.00 special to introduce you and your dog to training. This is 3 session for this price and are 40 minutes in length and we will work on manners and loose leash walking.

Back to Unleashed Interview....

We continued with the interview with Kelly Acree from Unleashed indoor dog park in Dallas Texas and spoke about seminars being offered at the location and the type of clientelle and staff that they attract. We also talked about a very unique concept in that they offer cage free boarding where one of the dog park staff stays with the pets in an “hotel” type setting and the dogs can come and go as they please during the night. We also talked about the vaccine requirements and the need for an indoor space due to the climate of Texas. We also spoke about the future of the unleashed brand and possible licneseing and franchising. You can contact Kelly through her website and on Facebook and Twitter at @kellyunleashed and @unleasheddfw What a great idea!


Canine Sciences and Communication Course info starting in April. As announced this week we are changing the way people become dog trainers. In our next course starting in April we will be offering all students an iPad with their course. We are in the process of re-writting our course book to include interactive video, exams, lessons and projects. This is like no other canine trainer course in the world. If you want to receive a cutting edge education and become one of the best dog trainers in the world give us a call at 303-578-9881.

Are you ready to change your life? Join us for the Peak Performance Weekend in beautiful Estes Park, CO. Our featured speaker in Traci Brown of http://www.tracibrown.com. Traci Brown is a personal trainer for your mind. Her innovative techniques will change your outlook on life, business, sports, relationships and more. Stay tuned for details!


____________________
Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and the host of the Dog Doctor Radio Show which can be heard every Saturday morning 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

Culture of Denver Dog Works: Professionalism

Culture of Denver Dog Works: Professionalism
By Robert Forto, PhD

A couple weeks ago I introduced a series of articles that I am going to post each week about the culture of Denver Dog Works. I am only only doing this to give our readers an idea of what we are about at Denver Dog Works but also as an exercise for us here at the training center to make sure we are all on the same page and delivering exceptional customer service and training a client's dog to be one of the best trained dogs in the world.

The 10 Elements of Culture as defined by Denver Dog Works are:

Integrity
Professionalism
Development
Service Availability and Belief
Character
Self Development
A Event Culture
Structured Activity
Leadership
Fun

Professionalism at Denver Dog Works and our Culture


We're Professional. At Denver Dog Works we take pride in training you and your dog. It is important to us that every client and every dog receive the best training. Our motto is “We have the best and train the rest” this means that we expect each of our instructors to present themselves in the best way possible and to provide the best training possible. We listen to your goals and to your concerns and then we design a training package specifically for you and your dog. There is no cookie-cutter dog training going on at Denver Dog Works. Group class is not for everyone therefore we do not offer a signup sheet for our group class. Private lessons done in-home also may not work for you that is why we have our state of the art training center with over 700 square feet of training space on a ¾” rubber mat.

With over 200 dog trainers to choose from in the Denver area we believe our professionalism separates us from the pack. Our instructors are attentive to your needs as they change throughout your training. The most important aspect regarding dog training is not in training the dog but training you what your dog’s potential may be and then harnessing that potential and creating a harmonious relationship between you and your dog.

We have knowledgeable, skilled and friendly instructors. Our large training center provides you with a large area to work with your dog no matter what class you are taking. At Denver Dog Works we offer a variety of classes to help you and your dog reach your greatest potential. We specialize in sport training but do not let this stop you if you have a puppy. Building you a proper training regimen when your dog is a puppy is vital to his training and ability to perform at the level you expect once he is old enough to perform. Whether your goal is in competition obedience or working as a service dog developing a proper training foundation helps you obtain your goals faster and easier. Let our professional certified canine instructors design a training package for you and your puppy and let’s build a relationship together. Training is not just about getting your dog to learn how to do a few basic commands in a few short weeks.

We're Convenient- Our training classes are available Monday through Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Private lessons can be scheduled to fit your timetable. During your evaluation our evaluator will design your training package and work with your schedule to provide you the best opportunity to train your dog and to reach your goals. Adjustments can be made in the schedule but we strive to meet with you on a weekly basis.

We know our stuff- Our instructors are all extremely knowledgeable in the science of behavior and learning theory. In fact, we are the only training center in the area that has a PhD on staff and require all of our instructors to be certified. Our instructors are not just certified as obedience instructors. Our instructors have been certified in canine behavior and sciences. Each of our instructors are certified in various specialties such as Canine Good Citizen, Service Dog Instructor, Conformation, Competition Obedience, Rally, and even Canine CPR and First Aid.

Our training classes give you great results using the easiest, most up to date methods. We have developed training programs in a variety of disciplines to allow your dog to reach his fullest potential. One of our most popular training packages is called Peak Performance. This package offers you two different training goals. For example, basic obedience and foundation agility, or obedience and level one protection. Each class is designed to prepare for your end goal giving you the best results you could ask for.
We are professional – I encourage you to review our website. See what we offer, see what sets us aside from the other trainers out there and then give us a call. You will be greeted by a person ready to listen to your needs. If you receive our voice message your call will be returned to you within two hours. If you email you will receive a response no later than 24 hours later and if you provide your phone number you will receive a call within 24 hours with an email follow up.

I encourage any feedback you may have and of course share the culture of your business as well. I can be reached anytime by email at train@denverdogworks.com

__________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Dog Works Training Centers 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 download it anytime. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

H1N1, Captain Trips and the Swine Flu

H1N1, Captain Trips and the Swine Flu
Hello All,

As a frequent reader of my posts you will know that I have been highly suspect of the media fueled swine flu epidemic and have written about it on my blog a few times. My most recent is: http://fortoblog.com/2009/04/30/the-...swine-flu.aspx

On Monday, I thought how could I go wrong: go to Walgreens and pay 18 bucks for the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. 18 bucks is a lot better than missing countless days at work if and when I come down with the dreaded flu right?

How wrong could I have been? I have been laying in bed since Monday night with the worst case of the flu that I have ever seen. It hit me like a brick wall at 8:15 pm and I haven't been the same since. Let me put it this way, have you ever seen the Dumb and Dumber movie when Harry has to use the restroom in the fancy bathroom in Aspen.... I know that analogy was not politically correct but neither is the government saying that "systemic side-effects" rarely occur.

For this 18 dollar vaccine that I thought would keep me from getting the flu has now cost me at least three days of productive work and countless contacts with my clients. I guess you could look at it this way, just how bad would have the flu really been if I hadn't gotten the vaccine in the first place? I guess thats why 16,000 people have died from it already.

Your thoughts on what you think of the swine flu and its vaccine? Lets keep the discussion alive!

Regards,

Robert Forto, PhD
Denver Dog Works
http://www.robertforto.com

Culture of Denver Dog Works: Integrity

Culture of Denver Dog Works: Integrity
By Robert Forto, PhD

Last week I introduced a series of articles that I am going to post each week about the culture of Denver Dog Works. I am only only doing this to give our readers an idea of what we are about at Denver Dog Works but also as an exercise for us here at the training center to make sure we are all on the same page and delivering exceptional customer service and training a client's dog to be one of the best trained dogs in the world.

The 10 Elements of Culture as defined by Denver Dog Works are:

Integrity
Professionalism
Development
Service Availability and Belief
Character
Self Development
A Event Culture
Structured Activity
Leadership
Fun

Integrity of Denver Dog Works and our Culture


If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. -- Alan K. Simpson

The Wild West was full of them and they are the actors of legend along the carnival midway and the performers of modern day late night infomercials. His line was superficial and his promises great. he had the cure for diseases and could wow you with his magic cloth that soaked up a can of soda with little effort.

Modern medical licensing has done much to amend quackery in medicine but in the spirit of the snake oil salesmen or the the late night pitch-man they will always find a new outlet, and professional dog training is a prime example.

As I tell my students studying to be professional dog trainers all the time, all it takes to be a dog trainer is a business card, a leash and a smile. Anyone can rent out a storefront, put a sign on their car, take an out an ad in the local newspaper, start a website and call themselves a professional dog trainer. If you work out of your home, a couple hundred bucks can be enough to say you are in business! These same people say they can offer obedience training, solve problems and turn your dog into service dog just because you want a constant companion with you while you ride the bus to work in the morning.

Often there is a certificate saying Master Trainer, possibly indicating the completion of a correspondence course without ever having to demonstrated how to properly work a dog in a training routine. It is against the law in all states, I assume to set up shop and offer medical advice, or legal counsel or even plumbing services without a license. Not so in the dog training world. There are no legal requirements or even standards in the way that a dog should be trained.

What truly separates the men from the boys, so to speak, in the dog training world is just one word: Integrity.

If I were to ask what the most important and influential aspect of a business is I would have to say integrity. Without integrity at the forefront of a business’ culture a business is usually doomed to fail. In fact, when integrity is part of the business culture is becomes the heart and soul of the company and can mean the difference between a company that succeeds and one that fails.

In recent times, with the media fueled recession, and business people having a hard time making ends meet often a business’ core values are overlooked in order to salvage a struggling business or to meet the basic needs of a company such as payroll and paying vendors. But, if a business does not take the time to examine it core values and continually live by them, even in the rough times, the business is not operating with an ethical commitment to those that truly have a say in whether they will succeed or fail, and that is it’s customers and clients.


At Denver Dog Works Integrity is so ingrained in our culture that it we strive to continually live by it in our day to day business operation in that we see that we are above and beyond the quacks that give our industry such a bad name. We strive to do this but applying seven basic principles of integrity within our company:


Principle #1 At Denver Dog Works we recognize that our clients want to do business with a company they can trust; when trust is at the core of a company, it is easy to recognize. Trust defined is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of a business. Dog training is a capricious business. You are dealing with a member of a client’s family and you must remember to treat this relationship as such.

Principle #2 At Denver Dog Works we strive for continuous improvement of our company, and as the leader in an industry we must be willing to open up to ideas for betterment. We ask for opinions and feedback from both clients and team members and by doing so our company will continue to grow.

Principle #3 At Denver Dog Works, regardless of the circumstances, we do everything in our power to gain the trust of our past customer's and clients, particularly if something has gone awry. We strive to do what you can to reclaim any lost business by honoring all commitments and obligations. Yes it is true you can never please everyone. In the dog training world we often dealing with relationship problems, financial constraints and a theory of absolutes (fix my dog or else...). We often deal with unhappy clients because of unrealistic expectations and we must meet them in the middle in order to accomplish a common goal and that is to better the relationship between their dog and the family.

Principle #4 At Denver Dog Works we continually re-evaluate all print/media materials including our small business advertising, brochures and other business documents making sure they are clear, precise and professional; most important we make sure they do not misrepresent or misinterpret our business. This is what I was talking about above. Anyone can say they have the best and train the rest but can they live up to their own motto?

Principle #5 At Denver Dog Works we remain involved in community-related issues and activities thereby demonstrating that our business is a responsible community contributor. In other words, we stay involved. We are actively involved in two local chamber of commerces and attend and host many events where we give back to the local community. In business it should never be just about making money. At Denver Dog Works we don’t just train dogs, we change lives.

Principle #6 At Denver Dog Works we take a hands-on approach in regard to accounting and record keeping, not only as a means of gaining a better feel for the progress of our company, but as a resource for any "questionable " activities; gaining control of accounting and record keeping allows you to end any dubious activities promptly. Even in a difficult economy where every small business owner is pinching every penny and saving every dime they can, a business must have integrity in regards to the day to day operation of their business. I will admit, this past year was a struggle for us and we seemed to have pulled through and weathered the storm but that did not mean neglecting our vendors or our businesses associates.

Principle #7 At Denver Dog Works we strive to treat others with the utmost of respect. Regardless of differences, positions, titles, ages, or other types of distinctions, we always strive treat others with professional respect and courtesy. This principle is not just in place in the back-room of our training center but to our clients as well. A client should never be seen as a meal ticket or a a way to pay the light bill, but as a relationship that is forged with mutual respect and understanding.

I encourage any feedback you may have and of course share the culture of your business as well. I can be reached anytime by email at train@denverdogworks.com

Posted: http://www.robertforto.com

__________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Dog Works Training Centers 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 download it anytime. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

New Successes, Creative Ideas and Our Culture

New Successes, Creative Ideas, and our Culture
By Robert Forto, PhD



This is a new day of a new week of a new month of a new decade in a new century. It is special isn't it? Last year was a tough year for all of us in this recessed economy where everybody was worried about the future of the world as we knew it. At Denver Dog Works, it was tough on us too. We are thankful for all of our clients, new and old, that helped make our business special. We also took advantage of the down time to receive training for our business, our leaders, our trainers and our staff. This training was expensive, but worth every penny. We learned so many new things about our business, our goals, our values, and our desires. We learned what we need to do to set us apart from the crowd. We learned that we are not just a small fish in a big pond, but a fish that has a considerable influence over the pond that we swim.

In January 2009, we started our Internet radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, that has gotten great reviews and has had on some tremendous guests. We spoke about everything dogs and everything that we love about our furry friends and what makes that relationship special to so many people. We spoke about the Michael Vick controversy, many authors including the most heart-warming story I have every heart about Baxter, the therapy dog that touched so many lives until he last days, and so much more.

We trained several students to become exceptional canine obedience trainers in 2009 and have done so against the wishes of our most vocal competition in our industry. I can not count how many times I have heard from my peers that own dog training schools here in Denver say, “Why are you teaching people how to become dog trainers? Don't you think the business is saturated?” My response is, “It do it because I can, and no, I don't think it is saturated.” We change people’s lives at Denver Dog Works. Whether it be by training people for a new career or providing a service dog for a young child in need. That’s what we do.

In March 2009, I announced my intentions on running the Iditarod in 2013. This is a promise I must keep. My family and I thought about this for a long while and realized that the time is now to begin training for the last great race, as they call it. I am taking this year to get into shape and next year I will run my first qualifying races in Minnesota and Oregon. The monumental feat of running the race is not the race itself but the raising of ten’s of thousands of dollars to train and run the race. We are starting our quest to find corporate sponsors during the second quarter of 2010.

We met many new friends in 2009 that taught us so much. The members of the Aurora and Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce (Colorado) have been great and I want to personally thank Mark Crowley for all that he does. When I attended a seminar put on by Mark and the Greenwood Village Chamber in late 2008 it changed how we do business forever. It introduced me to social media and what an impact it has had! As many of you know I routinely update twitter and Facebook with news, notes, nuggets of information, and stories that have absolutely nothing to do about dogs, but do you know what? Social media works! I have received so many business leads, new contacts and friends, often while I update driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour going from class to class.

In May 2009, I attended a training program in Neuro-Linguistics from my good friend and “personal trainer for the mind”, Traci Brown. This revolutionary training taught me to think outside the box and harness the potential of my unconscious mind. While many may think this is some New-Age quackery I will be the first to tell you that you are furthest from the truth. This innate communication will change your life!

In July, we moved to our new location and we regret that we haven't had the time to have a grand opening celebration yet. Our new place is only about 70% remodeled due to the fact that through blood, sweat and tears we are doing the re-model ourselves and it is typically only on our days off. In the coming months we will have a grand opening and a ribbon cutting and we will have that bar-b-que that we have been talking about.

In 2010 we are stepping outside the box completely and offering Dog Works Training Centers in select cities throughout the country. While there are many dog training franchises out there, ours is different. We teach new business owners how not only to be great dog trainers but effective and successful business owners as well. Our Dog Works Training Centers business opportunity will change the dog training industry forever.

The 10 Elements of Culture as defined by Denver Dog Works

Much can be said about what makes us the best dog training school in the country. A lot of that lies on our core values and principles of doing business. A lot lies in the education and training we received over the years, moreover, this past year with our branding program that we took with the branding guru of all guru’s David Sandusky and his company, Your Brand Plan. Our work with David changed how we thought about our business and saved our marriage ( as you know, I work with my wife, Michele), but more importantly our work with David allowed us to develop a culture at Denver Dog Works. Over the coming weeks, every Monday, I will post an article about our culture and what sets us apart in a very competitive industry.

The 10 Elements of Culture as defined by Denver Dog Works are:

Integrity
Professionalism
Development
Service Availability and Belief
Character
Self Development
A Event Culture
Structured Activity
Leadership
Fun

I ask that you follow us along in the coming year. As one fast food restaurant chain’s tagline says: We’re going to be big. At Denver Dog Works, we don't just train dogs, we changes lives and I can bet you that we do have the best and train the rest!

I encourage any comments or questions you have about anything at all.

Next Week: Element of Our Culture: Integrity

Posted http://www.robertforto.com

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

Holiday Pet Safety

Holiday Pet Safety
By Robert Forto, PhD

My name is Dr. Robert Forto and I am the training director of Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. I am asked all the time about holiday do’s and don’ts from pet owners. While I always offer an article right around Christmas about training Christmas puppies I thought it would be wise to offer some tips to pet owners on holiday safety before the season’s festivities reaches a crescendo. While most of this is common sense, it is the little things that we overlook during this busy time of the year that can turn a joyous season into a nightmare for your pet if you do not take some steps to ensure their safety.

The holiday season can get pretty hectic, and with the decorations and extra goodies around the house, there is a lot your pet can find to get into. Here are a few safety tips to help keep your pets safe and happy during the festivities:

Christmas trees
Firmly secure the tree in its stand, and consider wire or twine ties attached to the wall to help secure the tree. You’ll want to make sure the tree doesn’t topple over if, or more likely when, kitty tries to climb the tree.

Dogs and cats will often try to drink water from the reservoir in the stand. The sap from the tree itself may irritate your pet's stomach, and preservatives added to the water may be toxic. Devise a cover to fit around the base of the tree—even a towel wrapped around the trunk covering the stand will do.

Research also shows that the chemicals used in producing artificial trees contain chemicals that can be harmful or even fatal if ingested by your pet. While there are many pro’s and con’s to having a natural versus an artificial Christmas tree, this fact alone should make the decision a little easier.

Ornamentation is very attractive, especially to kittens, cats and puppies, but may be deadly. The tinsel, ribbon and glitter can cause intestinal blockages. Protect your pet by placing these items high enough to be out of reach. Packages under the tree may offer the same threat—the ribbons are just too hard to resist, and your pet may end up chewing on them while playing.

Those wonderful goodies
Holidays are the time for lots of baking, and receiving of baked gifts. These items smell just wonderful to your pet. Your dog may help himself to the candy, cookies, or part of the holiday meal if you are not looking. Eating people food may lead to indigestion, diarrhea, or worse. Remember, items containing chocolate can poison a dog, even if it is a small amount.

Remains of the holiday meal left on countertops, tables, and even in the garbage will entice your pets. If there is a way to get to it, be assured your dog will certainly try. Bones from turkey, a roast, or ham may splinter if eaten. Older garbage may even contain enough bacteria to poison a pet. Be careful where the trash is held while waiting to be disposed of.

And of course I don’t need to remind you that begging at that table can cause major behavior problems in the future…

Other Decorations
Plants, especially poinsettias, are often used for decoration in November and December. Some of these plants contain toxins that can irritate your pet’s gastrointestinal tract if chewed on or eaten. Eating enough of some plants may poison your dog or cat. In some cases it may be the leaves, in others the stem, berries, or roots. Your veterinarian or behaviorist can help guide you, or you can do a bit of research at the library or online to see if any of your holiday plants may be harmful to your pets.

Toys
On Christmas morning when all of those toys are being played with (and soon forgotten, I might add) they contain many hazards for pets. Small toys, balls, marbles, board game pieces, BB’s from the Red Rider BB gun with the compass in the stock that your son just had to have!, and electric cords are all dangerous to your cat or dog.

Taking a few minutes to set some family guidelines and spot potential safety hazards could keep this holiday season from having serious consequences for your four-footed family member.

In the coming weeks Dr. Forto will be publishing and article on training Christmas puppies. His position is that you should never give a puppy for a Christmas present but thousands are given as gifts each year. In this article Dr. Forto will discuss when to train your dog, how to properly care for him and who should be in charge. Just remember that shelters are full of dogs that were once bundles of Christmas morning joy that grew up too fast and were not trained. Dr. Forto and his certified trainers at Denver Dog Works are here to help.

This article is provided as a general overview of the topic. Always consult your veterinarian or behaviorist for specific information related to diseases or medical care for pets.
________________________
Dr. Robert Forto is a canine behaviorist and the training director of Denver Dog Works in Colorado. He can be reached through his website at www.denverdogworks.com

Domminance Aggression

Dominance Aggression
By Robert Forto, PhD

Dogs do not see pack members as equals, instead, a hierarchy must be established to show which is of higher and lower rank to keep peace within the pack. Any number of pack members living together, whether dog or human, must have an established hierarchy in the dog’s eyes, in order to get along. This hierarchy, although flexible due to the level of motivation in a particular situation, is established and maintained through a variety of communication signals, through vocalization, body language and mute signaling.
When challenged, a lower ranking pack member must quickly demonstrate deferral or submission to the higher ranking dog, in order to avoid aggressive discipline and enforcement to the higher ranking dog. This aggressive enforcement is instigated by the lower ranking pack member failing to defer quickly enough to the higher ranking dog. This aggressive display is called Dominance Aggression.

• The dog is in the presence of a valued resource such as; the food bowl with or without food, human food, toys, bones, rawhide, garbage, stolen items, the owner, or sleeping place.
• A person attempts to remove a valued resource such as those listed above.
• The dog is approached.
• The dog is spoken to.
• The dog is verbally or physically reprimanded.
• The dog is petted or handled or examined.
• The dog’s nails are being trimmed.
• The dog is picked up.
• The dog is restrained.
• The dog is disturbed while sitting or sleeping.
• The dog is lying on an area perceived as a bed or den such as; couch, chair, owner’s bed, dog’s bed, blanket, under a table, etc.
• A family member is approached, touched or spoken to by an outsider or other family member.
• Human postures or communication perceived as controlling or challenging such as; direct eye contact, reaching or leaning over top of the dog, approaching or, speaking to the dog, verbally or physically punishing the dog, etc.
How Dominant Dogs Control Their Owners
• Demanding food or attention.
• Demanding to be picked up or put down.
• Demanding play.
• Being aloof when the owner offers attention.
• Blocking the owner’s movements with her body.
• Shoulder and hip slams.
• Mouthing and biting.
• Resisting commands.
• Resisting discipline.
• Resisting handling.
• Protecting valued resources.
• Growling, snarling.
• Staring.
• Mounting and pelvic thrusts.
• Rarely exhibiting submissive body signals such as; lowering the body, looking away, rolling over.
How Owners Contribute to Dominance
• Games without rules.
• Allowing the dog to direct human behavior.
• Rewarding demands for food or attention.
• Allowing the dog on the furniture.
• Inconsistency in training.
• Lack of training.
• Backing down from challenges.
• Excessive attention and/or petting
• Allowing the dog to invade their personal space uninvited.
When Is Dominance Aggression Most Likely to Occur
• In dogs over one year of age.
• In dogs bred from one or both dominant or dominant aggressive parents.
• In intact, purebred dogs.
• In confident, assertive, excitable dogs.
• In breeds more prone to dominance ie; spaniels, terriers, toy breeds.
• In dogs with a history of skin disorders or illness early in life.
Treatment for Dominance Aggression
The Re-Ranking Program
• Ignore ALL demands. It is the job of the top ranking dog to make the decisions and direct the behavior of the rest of the pack. By responding to the dog’s demands, no matter how subtle or insignificant, you are allowing the dog to perceive himself as a strong leader.
• No freebees! The dog must earn absolutely everything of value from a drink of water to a car ride, by performing a previously taught command.
• Remove all valued resources that elicit an aggressive response.
• Follow the desensitization program for possessive aggression to prevent or cure possessive aggression.
• Put the dog on a natural, non-performance diet.
• Put the dog on a feeding schedule to make treats a more effective training tool.
• All treats must be earned and used for training and rehabilitation only; it increases their value to the dog.
• Never feed the dog while preparing or eating food. In the wild, alpha eats first and can take food from anyone, by giving the dog your food, you are giving she alpha position.
• Teach food bowl exercises to prevent or cure food bowl aggression.
• Take back some territory in the home by not allowing the dog access, MINE! The dog must not have access when the owner is away. When the owner is home the barrier is removed and a leash is put on the dog. If the dog approaches the barrier the owner will growl a warning, “OUT”. If the dog crosses the barrier the owner walks the dog back out with the leash.
• Less petting and attention will make the dog earn what she gets.
• Ration games and only play them WITH RULES.
• Make the dog hold a short down stay before allowing freedom in a fenced yard.
• Leave a twenty to forty foot lunge line on the dog while enjoying free time in the yard, occasionally pick up the end of the lunge line and complete a recall. When the dog comes in, reward and release.
• Do not allow the dog on the furniture. A ten foot leash can be used for removal if she gets up with an “off” command (DO NOT grab her collar to for this correction.
• Practice placement commands. Hold the ten foot leash, move away from the dog, give the command “come”, when she comes to you, reward and repeat three times. Release with an “all done” at the end of the exercise.
• Desensitize the dog to handling and restraint.
• Teach the dog to “watch me” on command and to hold the eye contact for up to 30 seconds in the presence of major distractions, with the handler establishing and breaking the eye contact.
• Begin a complete training program using positive reinforcement methods only to increase handler control over and respect from the dog.
• Always reward good behavior and quick correct responses with something of value to the dog i.e.; treats, toy, game, walk, etc.
• Teach the dog to “place” and “down stay” for up to thirty minutes, then release.
• A gentle leader will increase handler control helping the dog to remain calm and focused. It can be left on the dog indoors until control is established.
• Use a ten foot indoor lead to increase handler control when necessary.
• Begin training with the most dominant member of the family and gradually work your way down to the least.
• List all the triggers for aggression.
• Systematically desensitize the dog to each aggression trigger.
• Use counter conditioning to replace unwanted aggressive behavior with a behavior that is incompatible.
• Use creative avoidance to prevent aggressive episodes.
• Use environmental management to ensure that the dog’s environment works for, not against, your rehabilitation program.
• Never leave the dog unsupervised in the presence of anyone who is not a trained part of your rehabilitation program, especially children.
• Once an obvious new hierarchy has been established you can relax with some of these rules, but if the dog begins to challenge again, even in subtle ways, take control back IMMEDIATELY.
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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 program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached though his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com