Growing in Popularity: Therapy Dog Training

Growing In Popularity: Therapy Dogs
By Michele Forto

The inquiries into therapy dog training are on the rise. I receive countless emails, calls, and even walk-ins inquiring to the requirements for their dog to become a therapy dog. Working as a therapy team can be very rewarding – it can be very exhausting at the same time. A therapy dog provides momentary companionship, unconditional love, respect, and understanding to the individual they are spending time with in that exact moment. All while making sure their beloved owner is holding up to the stressful situation and handling it alright as well. Therapy dogs are truly guardian angels bringing light and joy into the room whenever they appear. But their job carries a heavy burden; they remove all of your worries, stress, pain, contemplation, and anger while they are with you and they tuck it away to be disposed of later. This is how a dear friend/client therapy dog mom explained her biggest concerns for her wonderful dog Mia. Mia came to me to get ready to be re-certified as a therapy dog and her mom was very concerned that Mia carried the woes of her visitors. I suggested a good walk and an ice-cream cone after her visits. Mia enjoyed her walks and her ice-cream cones immensely. No worries on weight gain she exercised for that ice-cream cone.

When I meet with people interested in training their dog to become a therapy dog – they always seem amazed when I explain that the training is a team effort. Therapy isn’t just about the dog – it’s a therapy team that is trained and taught to handle horrifically sad situations and both the human and the canine must arrive with smiles and bring joy to that person for this short moment in time. You see, your dog isn’t in the room alone, you’re right there beside him – unless you’re made of stone, you will find your emotions running away with you. It not only takes a special dog it takes a special human.

The popularity of therapy dogs is growing at a fast pace and I applaud each and every individual out there who is thinking of training their dog to do therapy. But change your way of thinking just a bit; instead of saying I’m training my dog to be a therapy dog, say we’re in training to become a therapy team. This will put you in a healthier mindset to take on this wonderful volunteering job that you are considering to undertake.

If you are interested in becoming a Therapy Team, I encourage you to visit and research as many training organizations as you can. There are many organizations to choose from who can help you reach your goals. Do not be discouraged IF the facility you’ve dreamed of volunteering with has a waiting list. Go into your training with an open mind and know that you are being trained to work with an angel (your dog) therefore it shouldn’t matter if you receive that coveted placement at Children’s Hospital, people of all ages and conditions need to be touched by an angel.

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Michele Forto the Denver Dog Training Examiner and is a certified canine trainer and the business manager for Denver Dog Works. Michele can be reached through her website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

Behind the Breed: The German Shepherd

Behind the Breed: German Shepherd
By Michele Forto

Behind the breed is an ongoing series to assist in you choosing the right breed for yourself and family.

The German Shepherd – Founded by Captain Max von Stephanitz in 1899, and molded by the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany) is recognized as the breed’s original parent club. From about 1914, the popularity of the German Shepherd Dog spread rapidly throughout the world. Interest in the breed has been fostered worldwide by specialty clubs in many countries, just as it has in the United States by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

The most important attribute of the breed is its character. German Shepherd Dogs are distinguished by the loyalty, courage, and ability to assimilate and retain training for an amazing number of specialized services. They should be of even disposition, poised, and unexcitable, with restrained and composed confidence. For typical work as a herding sheepdog, they must not be gun-shy and must have the courage to protect the flock from attacks by other animals or humans. For police work, narcotics detection, or search and rescue, they must have courage and stability coupled with excellent scenting capabilities. As a guide dog for the blind, German Shepherd Dogs must and do exhibit a high order of intelligence and discrimination, as this work requires observation, patience, faithfulness, watchfulness, and good judgment. All this is possible because of the German Shepherd Dog’s natural aptitude for training.

These qualities have endeared German Shepherd Dogs to a wide public in practically every country in the world. They serve as assistants for the disabled, therapy dogs for the infirm, home guardians, and companions and friends to children and families. They are protectors of livestock and partners to police officers and soldiers. German Shepherd Dogs are not pugnacious brawlers but bold and punishing fighters, if the need arises. With humans, they do not give affection lightly. They are dignified and may be indifferent to strangers, but friendship, once given, is for life. (The Complete Dog Book 20th Ed. AKC)
As an owner, breeder, and trainer of this distinguished breed I am honored to have placed some of my best in service work for the disabled. I find the German Shepherd Dog to be highly trainable and loyal to his handler/owner. I recommend this breed to individuals, families, children, and elderly. Not to be misunderstood, the German Shepherd Dog is a breed that must be respected and who demands respect. Training a German Shepherd Dog is very rewarding and can be multifaceted.
A German Shepherd Dog is not content in just lying around the house when they are young and vibrant, therefore, I recommend getting your pup into training immediately. Speak with your trainer and veterinarian about different jobs your German Shepherd Dog can do. German Shepherd Dogs are great at conformation, obedience, rally, agility, herding, tracking, bikejoring, bladejoring, search and rescue, Schutzhund, therapy, and assistance for the disabled in various disciplines just to name a few of the most popular. German Shepherd Dogs are wonderful companions who with steadfast accuracy will protect you and their home making them great guardians, hence their use in police work.

A few things to note regarding the German Shepherd Dog; they are high energy and need a job. I have recommended and placed German Shepherd Dog’s in homes of all types of lifestyles and capabilities. With the assistance of a good trainer who understands this breed and their ability you will have one of the best dogs of your lifetime
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The German Shepherd Dog can be aloof, loyal, excitable, and face several health issues. Please research your breeder and choose carefully. Getting the advice of your veterinarian and the assistance of a trainer who handles the breed or who performs breed referrals is of utmost importance. The perseverance and quality of the breed standard should be the breeders ultimate goal.

What are your thoughts on the German Shepherd Dog? Send your comments to live@dogdoctorradio.com

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Michele Forto the Denver Dog Training Examiner and is a certified canine trainer and the business manager for Denver Dog Works. Michele can be reached through her website at http://www.denverdogworks.com

References Available Upon Request...?

References Available Upon Request….?
By Robert Forto, PhD

My name is Dr. Robert Forto and I am the training director for Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. I specialize in canine aggression and I have been qualified as an expert in this field. I also fully understand that my training school and I are only as good as our reputation with our clients, past and present, our referral sources such as veterinarians, other canine trainers, groomers and other pet professionals.

Of course, throughout the years Denver Dog Works has had many satisfied clients and several that were not. It is difficult to please everyone, especially when it involves their beloved dogs. If you were to look on any canine trainer’s website almost inevitably you will find a “testimonials” page that list comments from clients past and present about how good a job the trainer did with their dog. What you will often find on this page is a joyful rendition of just how good the trainer was and the results they see. Then you will find at the bottom of the posting a first or last name and an initial (ie. John. D.) Just who exactly is John D.? Could it just so happen to be the infamous John Doe? That is what this article is all about. I am here to warn you that if a training school refuses to give you a reference, walk away.

Be on the lookout of trainers who just REFUSE to give you any references. You can bet your dog's life on it that this is a red flag. Think about it, if they are truly proud of their training method, delivered what they promised, and have the right work ethics with their clients, then they should have no problem giving you a few names. This is even more important if they DO NOT have any classes for you to observe.

At Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project we offer a highly specialized training service for dogs. While most of our classes are by appointment and we do not have a schedule of weekly classes like the big-box corporate pet store chains with trainers in uniforms and a dry-erase board full of class times, I urge anyone that would like to observe any of our training programs to give us a call and we can let you know what is on the schedule that day. Saturdays are by far our busiest day and the best chance for you to catch a class if you just “drop in”; I always encourage you to call first.

Get at least five references, three recent and two from six months to a year ago. At Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project we train about 300 dogs a year. That is 300 clients that we should be comfortable in using as a reference for future clients. Do not fall for "client confidentiality bologna." I urge you to push again and say, "Look. I am not asking for their last names, addresses or social security number for crying out loud. I just want the very best for my dog!" I also urge potential clients to ask if a training school is registered with the State and if they are members of the local Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau or similar agency. Check to see whether they are, and importantly, ARE NOT allowed to train or board dogs. In Colorado the Department of Agriculture overseas all canine training schools and boarding facilities. This also includes private trainers offering in-home classes only. If a school is operating without a license from the Department of Agriculture they can be fined and possibly be shut down. I urge all potential clients to call the State to see if the training school and/or trainer is registered. Wouldn't you want to do business with someone who is professional and legal and legit? Your wallet, your dog, and your precious time are depending on it. No matter how impressive their web sites seem or how convincing they may sound on the phone, do not skip this. You won't regret it. If someone's happy with you, then they won't mind bragging about you. Don't you already do this when it comes to good movies, good books and good restaurants?

There is a saying in business called the Rule of 250. It goes something like this: Everyone has a circle of friends. The average person has about 250 people he sees regularly during his life and there is a lot more people that he sees in a week during the ordinary course of his business. I know that I cannot afford to have just one person come to see me and have them leave sore or unsatisfied. Not if that person influences 250 others in the course of his life. And that is a lot of references!

As you know, people talk a lot to other people about what they buy and what they plan to buy whether that is a product, a service, or anything in between. Others are always offering advice about where to buy and how much to pay. That is a big part of the everyday life of ordinary people. I know I can not jeopardize that relationship with any of these people. I know how much my reputation and my business comes from people telling other people about me, my trainers and my training school. It is a powerful force in my professional life and it should be in yours too.

We say at Denver Dog Works that we try to build relationships with our clients, not just one time dog training courses. We do this for a reason. We know that your dog is an important part of your life and you are coming to us for basic manners to make the bond between you and your dog more satisfying or in many cases to rehabilitate a problem that has gotten out of control and sometimes is even dangerous. We would love to have all of our clients talk with joy and admiration, and have their dogs “walking billboards” for our training prowess but is that truly what we are after? No. We want to be on your side when your dog has a problem and we would love to have a referral if we did our job well.

If you do get a reference from a training school or a trainer and they say, "Well. I could give you my best friend or my brother’s number as a reference to trick you." Just say, you will take it. Let's see what your own family and friends say about you first. Do you see where I'm going with this? Once you get a few references, this is where you ask what you like and didn't like about them, their trainers, and whether the dog listens off-leash, without treats, from far away. How about around other dogs, cats, kids and your guests?

While it is true in dog training as well as when you are looking for a job, most references that a person will give you will only be “good ones” I mean would you give a reference of an ex-girlfriend to a potential date if you ended on a sour note? I doubt it. But, if they do give you a name, and more importantly a number that is a start. Do a little detective work on your own and ask questions. Remember that the only dumb question is a questioned not asked. Do your homework and ask the questions you want answered. At Denver Dog Works we want to earn your trust and we want to help you in our time of need with your dog.

Check us out anytime and if us a call. We will give you the references that you desire and we will gladly answer any questions that you may have.

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Denver Dog Works and The Ineka Project in Colorado. He can be reached though his website www.denverdogworks.com or by phone at 303-578-9881.

Influential People in the Development of Learning Theory Part 1

Influential People in the Development of Learning Theory Part I
By Robert Forto, PhD

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.” 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.” 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.”

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.”

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.” 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;…” 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. These postures or lack of them have been discussed in-depth in chapter three.

This is will be a multi-week series on the influential people in learning theory and the dawn of modern dog training.

If you have any questions or comments we would love to hear from you at live@dogdoctorradio.com

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Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of 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

Behind the Breed: The Siberian Husky

Behind the Breed: Siberian Husky
By Michele Forto

Behind the breed is an ongoing series to assist in you choosing the right breed for yourself and family.

The Siberian Husky – Is a strong medium-sized dog that loves to work and is loyal to his family. According to the American Kennel Club; The Siberian Husky was originated by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia as an endurance sled dog. The Siberian Husky took notice by Americans in Alaska right around 1900. The first team of Siberian Huskies made its appearance in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race of 1909. The All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race was a grueling 400-mile race. Charles Fox Maule Ramsey imported the Siberian Husky into Alaska and John “Iron Man” Johnson won the All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race of 1910 with this stout hearty nordic breed. In the following decade Siberian Huskies were bred and raced by Leonhard Seppala, who captured most of the racing titles in Alaska.

In 1925, the city of Nome was stricken with diphtheria, sled dog drivers in Alaska including Seppala, were called upon to deliver the antitoxin to Nome. This brought a lot of attention to Seppala and his little huskies. Seppala was invited to tour and compete in sled dog races in New England and was able to showcase the superior racing ability of his Siberian Huskies. In 1930, the American Kennel Club recognized the Siberian Husky.

Siberian Huskies have played many roles in the history of expeditions for the United States. They were on several Byrd Antarctic Expeditions as well as the Army’s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit during World War II.

The Siberian Husky is naturally friendly and gentle in temperament. He possess at times an independent nature, and although very alert, in many cases lacks the aggressive or protective tendencies of a watchdog. He is by nature fastidiously clean and free from the body odors that many dense coated breeds have. Although remarkable for his adaptability to all kinds of living conditions, his natural desire to roam makes a measure of control necessary at all times. The understanding owner will find the Siberian Husky an enjoyable companion in country or city. He has endeared himself to dog fanciers everywhere by his versatility, striking beauty, and amiable disposition.

As an owner, breeder, and musher of Siberian Huskies I have found them to be independent in their trainability but always by my side. Siberian Huskies make great companions to people who lead active lifestyles and like doing things with their pets. Huskies love to work and will pull just about anything for you. They are wonderful around children. I recommend this breed to people who are active but I also recommend this breed to people who aren’t as active. A Siberian Husky will be the best friend you ever had as long as you remember to guide him and train him well.

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Michele Forto is the Denver Dog Training Examiner and the business manager for Denver Dog Works. Michele can be reached through her website at http://www.denverdogworks.com