What do you want to do with your pet? Therapy,service dog or visit hospitals?

Lately I have had many calls from people who want their dogs to become a therapy dog or a service dog. These same people begin by telling me that their dog is dog aggressive and bites people. They say their dog listens to them but only as long as it is not distracted. They say their dog will sit and lie down but only until it decides to get up and wander away. Is it just me or am I correct in thinking these dogs have no real training?

My point here is, many people want so much from their dogs but do not want to put the time or energy into training. Training can be as simple as socializing  your dog. For any dog to move forward it must be social and it must have some obedience on it. You can't even join agility unless your dog comes when called and doesn't run away when you drop the leash. You can't have a therapy dog if your dog bites people and shows aggression.

Plain and simple!

There are things you can do and you don't need a trainer for this. Once your pup has been fully vaccinated you can begin to show it the world. Walking by shops and people is always good. A walk around the park and a few stops at the benches so you can just sit and your dog can people watch. Do not allow your dog to rush people walking by, the dog should be at your side. Do not allow  your dog to rush into the face of a dog he does not know, he could get his nose tweaked off! The dog remains by you and is just there to watch and observe.

You can walk  your dog up and down steps. The court house usually has a lot of steps, just don't let your dog poop there. A walk to the bus station is good as well.. The different noises will be a help.Just get out with your dog and walk and talk to people. Do not allow your pup to jump on people, that is a no no.

In most cases you can get your dog out and about once it has had two sets of vaccines (8 and 12 week)...usually about 12 weeks old... But try to keep it in safe areas and places you know are clean. Allow it to visit with other family dogs or a neighbors friendly dog. Please be sure the other dogs are friendly as you do not want your pup to have a bad experience meeting a dog that mauls him..This might effect him as he grows up. 

Keep in mind that your pup or dog needs social skills in order to move forward in most all training classes. 

There are many trainers who want nothing to do with your dog if it is not social. A dog that is not social can become a threat to other dogs and this is not good when running group classes.

Most people  tell me their dogs are not social and only want to enroll them in a group class because it is the least expensive, well it won't happen in most cases. Again, an unfriendly dog is not to likable, and  it scares most people and their dogs as well. I do work with unsocial dogs and there are classes I allow them in. In most cases I  have to work with the owner and their dog prior to coming to any classes.

So, what you want to do is work on your dogs social skills. This pretty much insures  you that your dog will grow to be a good companion and a willing dog who will learn most anything you want to teach him. I can not express enough how socializing your dog will keep you and  your dog happy.

I hope this information is of value to you.....

If you are having problems with  your dogs social skills or you purchased a dog that is not to social or possibly fearful, give me a call...... together we can make a difference in your best friend.

Sully's Dog Training and dog friends.

It is so nice when dogs have good manners. You can take them any where with you and truly enjoy their friendship.These dogs have worked hard to earn their freedom and deserve to be posted for their job well done.

A learning workshop for fosters and foster dogs.

Let me thank you all for fostering pets that hopefully will go to forever homes.I have spoken with many fosters and they have asked me to help them with problem dogs that they personally do not know how to deal with? Many rescue dogs are handed over to kind and caring fosters with problems the fosters do not know how to deal with? If the problems are not dealt with by the foster parents then the dog usually gets returned and this is very upsetting for the dog. I am holding work shops for the fosters and their problem pooches at 3671 Nameoki Rd Granite City IL. Every lesson you learn, you will be able to apply to most every dog you foster. My goal is to educate you in simple but effective training techniques that rid your dogs of most their problems. The work shops are 3 hours long. Every foster gets the chance to work through their pooches problems. In my work shops we will all learn from one another. There will come a time in fostering where every person will come up against one of the problems we are working on in my work shop.By working together we can make a huge difference. There is more to fostering then providing a home and food and love. There is the well being of the animals mind. My workshop will deal with fearful behavior, attitudes,barking,hiding under furniture,growling at people and most all problems you are capable of dealing with. Check my calender for work shop times. They will all be held at the Granite City location. Cost of work shop is $50.00. You will leave with a discount training certificate valued at $25.00 for Group training classes. You may hand this coupon to the new owner as a thank you for adopting the pooch that was in your care. You will also be handing over a dog that has manners and walking skills(no pulling). Check the calender at sullysdogtraining.com click on calender...... Workshops are limited to 8 people and 8 dogs. You will need a pen and pad...no cells or calls taken in class please... this workshop is for you and the dog and all the learning skills I can share with you. I believe the dogs will stay in homes forever if we give them a few skills to start out with? I believe you will come away with teaching skills you can share with every dog you foster.Only by working together do we make a huge difference in all our lives and the lives of our furry friends....Thank you, Sully 618 789 6872

Dog saves Dog

Golden Retriever Saves Boy from Cougar Attack

An outing at the water hole. I introduce them to swimming and then they play on their own.Charlie,Eddy,Augie,Tia ,Ellie,Bella,PattyO, Beaut.What a FUN day...

My friends, Karma, Waylon and Beaut