My Dog Support program launched this weekend. One of the very first people to contact me was a professor of history at a very well-known American College. She has a Ph.D., heads a department, and is a long-time blog follower.
She also has a big dog she adores who jumps on her and other people, and she can’t get him to stop. Last week, he knocked her aging mother over.
Could I help? she wanted to know.
I think so, I said, but before you spend $50 on me, can I suggest you try something?
Yes, she said, of course.
“Just tell him to stop,” I said.
There was a shocked silence, but she said she would try it.
Ten minutes later, I got an e-mail: “Well, I am shocked and happy to tell you that I held up my hand and told him to stop, and he did.”
She said that never occurred to her.
I’m very much enjoying this dog work, and I think I am helping some people already.
Somehow, the dog culture has made dog lovers feel inadequate and unable to solve their own problems. I believe this is a corporate ploy to get people to spend billions of dollars caring for their dogs and cats because they feel unable to do it.
I love this story and wanted to share it.
sometimes just an observation from someone not personally involved can set off a *light bulb* moment. Like Occams Razor…….the simplest solution is many times the easiest and most perfect! Glad it’s going well!
I’m enjoying it, I love helping people with dog problems and I don’t mind getting paid for it either…So far, so good. I’m book up for all but one day this week..I’m doing four sessions a week..
My dog is a pit and lunges, barks and growls at other animals. Ears arre floppy,tail wags but hair stand up on back. Sound terrible. He has drug both my husband and I down to the ground when he gets like this. What can we do. Other than this issue he is a fantastic dog. Please help.
Michelle, thanks for the message. I don’t feel I can help you with this problem, it’s serious and I’d suggest a professional trainer familiar with the breed (I’m not). Sorry. Good luck, I’m sure he’s a great dog and lucky to be with you.
what a great story!!!! thanks for sharing,,,,,,,,
Gail
Sometimes, someone just needs to give you a gentle reminder! I was having a private lesson with my trainer last week and she said does he know “All done and the wave of a hand?” I responded, yes he does, and she said “just remember to use it!!”
🙂
I would guess you are going to hear some unusual stories. I have seen some real sweet pit bull type dogs but even they are somewhat mouthy. That was very good advice to Michelle. I was at a national park in Canada and this german shepherd was getting out of hand and I simply raised my arm and hand and for some reason he stopped. His owner
soon left the park with him.