Frequently Asked Questions

Most people contact me initially because they need assistance with a particular problem, such as leash walking, excessive barking, recall issues (refusing to come when called), etc. What most people are lacking when they first come to me is a solid foundation for problem solving and a set of realistic expectations. They lack a toolset that enables them to solve and prevent issues as a normal part of the dog-human relationship. They also generally lack a framework for understanding their dog’s behavior.  I will, of course, help you with common issues. But you will come away with much more than just a quick fix.

What I CAN’T do:

I cannot change your dog’s true nature and natural drives. For example, dogs bark. Some dogs bark…A LOT. It’s what they do. Asking me to stop your dog from barking is not realistic. I don’t have a magic wand to wave that will magically make your dog stop seeking to satisfy his natural drives.

What I CAN do:

It IS, however, realistic to redirect your dog to stop barking so you can talk to the UPS person at the door. I can’t stop him from barking…. But I CAN help you figure out what is appropriate, and realistic, and how to elicit behavior that is more in line with your lifestyle and needs.

I cannot make a square peg fit in a round hole. Your dog is an individual, with his or her own personality, talents, aptitudes, and history. You think you have baggage? Your dog does, too! So, while I cannot force the square peg into the round hole, I can help you understand and appreciate your “square peg” for who she is, and help you to forge a fresh, new approach to living with, loving, and enjoying life with your canine cohort. Along the way, I will provide you with the toolset and knowledge you need to address current issues and prevent new ones from creeping in. Watch this video

Frequently asked questions:

• Can you help me stop my dog from pulling and reacting on the leash?

Yes. That doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a quick fix, or that you will even like the answers you get, but I CAN help you and your dog to find the right solution.

Q. What makes you (Unleash Yourself) different?

A. I focus on helping you solve your own problems, by helping you figure out what is realistic for you and your dog, and providing you with a toolset you can use to drive your dog-human relationship. I will provide you with a framework in which to understand WHO your dog is, and how to create a loving, nurturing, and satisfying relationship. Along the way, you will both learn skills to help navigate the Real World.
In other words, I focus on fostering a loving, satisfying relationship between you and your dog. Most mainstream programs still do not approach training as a dog-human relationship based on reasonable expectations. Teaching one’s dog skills such as sit, stay, down, etc., has its place. You’ll learn those things while working with me, too. BUT, those skills are not the solution to excessive barking, chewing your slippers, swinging from the curtains, or sashaying across your countertops. They are simply tools. They are always inadequate for solving real problems without the framework of understanding your dog’s nature, drives, and perceptions (not to mention yours). I focus on the dog as an individual FIRST; build the toolset around you and your dog; and create opportunities to satisfy your and your dog’s needs, drives and desires.

My training methods and philosophy make me different, too. Keep reading…

Q.  What training method(s) do you use?

A. What we know about dogs grows every day. New knowledge is constantly being added about training, behavior, and dogs in general. Likewise, I continually add to and challenge my body of knowledge, beliefs, and toolset. My expertise derives from both theory and real-world practice. I SEE what works and what doesn’t…every day…and I work to continuously expand my understanding of WHY.
I use elements of many different approaches/methods. No two dogs are exactly the same. No single approach will work for all dogs. Your dog is an individual. Bet you are, too. The training methods used will depend on your dog and you. I combine approaches that fit you both, as a team, into a compassionate, dynamic, and intuitive training program.

My approach puts the trainer's focus (that would be YOU) on enhancing desired behavior, and managing the dog to stop or prevent undesired behavior or responses.

Philosophy

Regardless of the specific skills and issues we decide to work on together, there are some key underlying concepts behind everything I do and teach:

* Be a Guide.

* Your relationship with your dog is MUCH more than just barking orders and expecting your dog to comprehend and obey.

* Provide daily and consistent physical, mental, and emotional outlets for your dog (and YOU, too). Dogs mirror our emotional state, past and present. If you aren’t happy and balanced, odds are your dog isn’t either.

* Foster a nurturing, reciprocal relationship between human and dog. COMMUNICATE.

* Never blame the dog for failing to meet human expectations. Dogs are perfect at being Dogs. Humans are perfect at being Humans. Dogs are NOT GOOD at being Humans. Humans generally are not so good at being dogs. We see the world differently. It is our job to communicate a clear understanding of what is desired to our dogs.

* There isn’t any such thing as “Good” or “Bad” energy. There IS appropriate energy. What is the most suitable use of energy and drives in a given situation?  i.e. Tug won’t make your dog vicious. It might not, however, be the best game to play in a china shop. Energy is energy. Use it to your advantage.

* Dogs don't need constant, boring repetition to learn. You both learn best when you are having fun and are energized. Dogs simply need to feel safe and have a natural outlet for their energy in order to learn. If you think about it, that is probably all you really need, too. If you both aren’t having a lot of fun, something is very wrong with your approach. That doesn’t mean you will never be frustrated, or that it all will come easily, or that there isn’t work and commitment involved, but in general, if you aren’t having a good time, you need to step back and re-evaluate.

* Tune in. How can you use your dog’s energy to get your dog’s attention and focus?

* Is there anything my dog's behavior can teach me about myself so that I can become a better trainer or guide? LISTEN to your dog. Learn from your dog. What does your dog have to share with you about dogs, training, and life?

* Dogs don’t have character weaknesses such as laziness, spitefulness or stubbornness. Those are human traits. SEE your dog for the individual they really are. Not as whom you think you want them to be or they should be or your cousin Joe thinks they should be. How do you like that when people do that to YOU? How do you like trying to be someone you aren’t? Are you very good at it? Your dog isn’t either.

* Forget everything you ever heard about Pack Leaders, Alpha Dog, and wolves. Unless, of course, you live with a wolf. Then you might actually care about what wolves do. Otherwise, forget about it. I don’t believe that dogs see us as Pack Leaders.

* I don't think dogs SEE us as anything. I think dogs FEEL us. I think animals have a kind of direct experience of the sensual world that we have lost. This is something we can learn from them. I think dogs primarily “feel” their relationship to us. They live in the moment. They don’t have a conceptual idea of what we "are" in relation to them. "Pack leader" is a concept, a symbol. This construct comes from our human, linguistic brains, and our perception of human social interactions. As mentioned above, dogs aren’t particularly good at being humans. Why would they care about such things?

* That’s not to say that dogs wouldn’t make great managers. With their eye to Return on Investment (ROI), they might make better CEO’s than a lot of humans. Dogs really are ALL ABOUT the PAYOFF.

• My programs are executed without violence or physical/verbal abuse. There is no yelling. No hitting. No collar grabbing. No leash jerking. No breaking of spirit. No bullying. No rolling. No physical or verbal onslaught of any kind. Dogs DO NOT need punishment of any kind in order to learn.

While this may all seem a bit overwhelming, it boils down to this: I will teach you to have FUN with your dog. I will teach you to see your dog for who they really are. I will help you develop a fun and loving relationship with your dog that satisfies BOTH of you. This is the thing that really matters: You will learn to COMMUNICATE with your dog. The rest is cake.

Well, okay, maybe not cake, exactly. It generally takes longer to train the human than to train the dog. Training the dog is cake. You need to learn to do stuff like hold your dogs food or toy, walk backwards and not fall down. But, it’s all much simpler than it may sound. ;)