Shelter Dog Gets Ready For Hunting Season

Kristen, Craig and Mac at Pot Holes, near Moses Lake

Today we got this in the in box:

Kate,

Thanks so much for your work with Mac, our German Shorthair Pointer. When we inquired about your training program, we really did not know what to expect. In looking at the various training options available in the Washington area, we were drawn to your program because it allowed us to interact with the trainer and our dog often; the other schools required us to send our puppy off to a farm and have no contact for months. Further more, we wanted a well-schooled hunting dog but also a pet that would be obedient and well-behaved at home. You sure had your work cut out for you! As a shelter dog, Mac had so much energy and stubbornness, we did not think he would ever truly listen to us. Well you had him shaped up in no time!

Not only has he learned to respond to our commands, but it is clear that he is an exceptional retriever. You did a great job harnessing his energy and using it to help him learn to retrieve and fetch on command.

But it's not only about training the dog, it's about training the owner. We are incredibly impressed by the knowledge we have gained from our reoccurring lessons with both you and Mac. Being involved in Mac's training was so vital; we needed to understand what he was learning so we could continue to implement his training ourselves when we had him for "weekend visits."

The investment in your program was worth every penny--walking Mac through Seattle is no longer a battle, he is a joy to have around even when there is a house full of company, and (for a good laugh) he even retrieves a beer on command. I am really looking forward to showing Mac off to my friends during hunting season.

Thank you for your dedication to our puppy!

Craig and Kristen

Thanks Craig and Kristen! It was a pleasure working with owners who are prepared and willing to do what is needed for the good of their dog. The fact that you were willing to spend so much time driving out and spending the time that was needed was absolutely heart warming. Working with positive minded, dedicated clients who become part of the training team sets a dog up for the best possible life. Mac is going to bring you years of pleasure and bragging rights. Happy hunting!

Fast Pup Retriever Clinic July 31 2010

Wholesale Sports Lacey will host Fast Pup Dog Training for a retriever clinic this Saturday, July 31st at noon. This will be one of the many fun activities available at the Second Annual Block Party hosted by a number of businesses, including Wholesale Sports, Home Depot, Costco and Panera Bread. The block party is a free community event with almost 40 local businesses and food vendors participating.

Keeping Your Dog Safe In The Heat Of Summer

Tacoma dog trainer, Kate Johansson of Fast Pup Dog Training, worries about Pacific Northwest dogs and the heat.

Dogs have a more difficult time regulating their temperature than humans, because they do not sweat. Virtually the only cooling mechanism they have is panting. And they become so excited about play or training exercises that they often won't quit and take a break until it is too late.

While dogs need exercise every day, on hot days it is important to be extra careful about not letting your dog get over heated during play or training. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the days of super heat (above 90 degrees) are few but our dogs are not used to even a 75 or 80 degree day--especially after many months of fall, winter and spring. It is important to remember that a sudden hot day can be a shock to the dog's body when playing or training hard. Johansson advises a number of precautions to take with your dog.

Watch your dogs' panting carefully. Dogs have a more difficult time than humans with regulating their body temperature. There is normal panting and there is desperate gasping or panting with the tongue extended and out to one side of the mouth. If your dogs' panting is more frantic than usual, it is time to get your dog to water and/or shade and start cooling them off.

If your dog seems "loopy," dizzy, or is having trouble standing or walking, your dog is in great danger. You need to get the dog cooled off quickly. If you think your dog has had the possibility of a heat stroke, you need to get him to the vet as soon as possible after cooling him down.

Never leave your dog in a car in the summer. Clouds burn off, shade moves position and the day can heat up quickly. Even with the windows partially down, the heat in a car or a truck cab can get to dangerous levels. If you can't take your dog inside with you on an errand, leave him home where he will be safe.

Try to train or play near a body of water. If a pond or stream is not available, use a 5 gallon container to haul water and pour into a small plastic pool or feed trough, such as what is pictured above. Most dogs who are starting to get overheated will instinctively get into a little pool to cool off.

Collars that can be filled with ice are great for helping regulate the temperature. As the ice melts, it drips down the dog's chest, creating artificial sweat that evaporates. Check out this link:
http://www.koolcollarstore.com/

Get the dog to shade and put water on the dog's chest and belly. Rubbing alcohol can also be used.

If your dog gets seriously overheated it is important to cool him down quickly--but not too much. Normal body temperature for a dog is between 101 -- 103 degrees. If your dog's temperature gets to 106 degrees, he is in serious trouble. But you don't want to over cool him either. Having a thermometer is a great thing to have with you in the event of an overheating situation.

With a little planning, your dog should be able to get all the exercise and training he deserves and still stay safe over the summer.

Fast Pup's Rosie Earns AKC Master Hunter Title

Mahogany Run's Rascals Rosie, owned, trained and handled by Kate Johansson. earned her AKC Master Hunter title on June 20th 2010. The pass she needed for her title happened at the Umpqua Valley Retriever Club's AKC hunt test on the French Creek Ranch east of Roseburg, Oregon along the Umpqua River.

To earn a Master Hunter title, a dog must prove that she is able to do multiple marks (triples,)
multiple blinds, and have great line manners and control. The dog must sit and wait until released, watching all marks in the field. She must also honor quietly behind the line while marks are shot for another working dog and leave the line with her handler when released by the judges. The dog must pass five tests to earn the title. Each test consists of three series of multiple marks and blinds on both water and land.

Congratulations Rosie & Kate.

Ms. Beans Earns AKC Junior Hunter Title

Tacoma Retriever trainer, Kate Johansson with Ms. Beans, a black Labrador Retriever, who earned her AKC Junior Hunter Title, finishing the requirements last weekend at the Umpqua Valley Retriever Club's hunt test at French Creek Ranch in Glide, Oregon. Congratulations Ms. Beans!

Get your gun dog ready for 2010 hunting season

Photo by Mary Burlingame

Summer is here and before we know it we will be looking at opening day for both upland and waterfowl hunting here in Washington State. Your dog can't wait!

Whether you have a new pup or a seasoned hunter, be sure you have your dog (and yourself) in shape for the coming season. Make sure that your dog gets plenty of regular exercise by taking your hunting partner on long walks where he can practice quartering. Keep your dog safe by watching that he or she does not get overheated. Try to exercise your dog near access to water and be sure to keep water with you when training.

If you have never hunted your dog, but would like to try it, now is the time to get your dog into training. There is still time to introduce your dog to birds and retrieving. There is still time to have your dog trained to deliver a bird to hand, sit to a whistle and take casts. There is great satisfaction in having a well trained dog.

Fast Pup Retriever Training of Tacoma can help you get your dog ready for the upcoming season.

Wales Bans Remote Training Collars Over Hysterical Fear

If you want to learn how to effectively train a dog with an electronic dog training collar visit http://www.fastpupdogtraining.com or Contact University Place dog trainer Kate Johansson at (253) 569-0411

Words are so powerful. And I can think of few words dripping with more negative hysterical emotion than the erroneous and wrongly descriptive phrase "Shock Collar." Because of the moniker given to these devices in the 1960s (When they were crude and unreliable--nothing like the smooth exact instruments they are now) they remain controversial today.

Electronic collars use the same technology as a muscle stimulator one might use for (human) physical therapy. The technology is also used for (human) pain management. In fact, it is used in medicine and dentistry routinely. Ever see the TV commercials for belts that will help you obtain the coveted six-pack of abdominals? Same technology. On the low levels we use for training dogs, the stimulation feels like a little flick, similar to static you would get taking clothes out of a dryer. On somewhat higher levels, the stimulation feels like a tingle, similar to your arm or leg starting to fall asleep.

When we are asked as humans to use this technology on ourselves for whatever reason, we are never introduced to it as a "shock" device. We would never allow anyone to shock us. The word "shock" inspires fear. So a person needing to use the technology is introduced to it in a positive, intelligent way.

Electronic dog collars are used not only for high levels of training in dogs, but also for pet containment. With a containment system, the dogs (and cats) are carefully trained using negative reinforcement not to pass certain areas in the yard or house. This allows the pets to have the freedom to roam in the yard, yet keeps them safe from wandering into traffic or chasing a neighboring farm's livestock.

There are a number of different ways of using the electronic collars, also known as remote training collars. At Fast Pup Dog Training we teach people how to use the stimulation of the collar to gently associate the tickle or tingle of the stimulation with a command such as "come," "sit," "stay." Before we ever start training a dog with the collar, we have everyone in the family, including small children, experience what the stimulation feels like so that everyone understands and knows we are not hurting the dog. We use the stimulation on the lowest level to which the dog will respond. It is never about punishment.

We make sure the clients have a good understanding of how to use the equipment and how to stay positive and calm at all times. We never even let a client raise their voice and we teach them that they no longer need to pull on the leash. Usually during the very first session, we drop the leash altogether so that the client learns to use their body language and great attitude and positive tone of voice to facilitate learning in the dog. With most dogs we will be able to take the dog on an off leash walk after just three sessions.

Last week the principality of Wales in the United Kingdom banned the use of electronic dog collars. Anyone caught using an electronic dog collar will be subject to a fine of £20,000 or six months in prison. As I read the reports and watched the videos from the BBC website, I was amazed (shocked-pardon the pun) at the leaning of the reporters towards support of this ban. And there on the video were all the usual "morally superior" people who were so vindicated by the ban talking about how in today's world there is no need for any type of dog training that does not use "positive only" methods.

Duncan McNair, of the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association, estimated that there were at least half a million electronic collars in Wales.

What a shame for the many dog owners who train with the collars. And what a shame for the many dogs who will now need to be imprisoned and kept always on a leash for their safety and the safety of neighbor's livestock. What a shame for the dogs who will be turned over to shelters and will be put to death for behaviors that can't be brought under control with the use of cookies.

And all because of fear and hysteria caused by the use of the word "shock." We need to be careful what words we use.

What Is Best Place To Buy A Puppy

A number of years ago when I had my first litter of Labrador Retriever puppies for sale I got a call from a woman who asked me all sorts of questions about the pups and then sniffed that she did not approve of "backyard breeders" before abruptly hanging up on me. I stared at the phone in astonishment. I said out loud to the phone, "Would you rather get your dog from a puppy mill?

This was my first litter of pups, but I certainly did not consider myself a backyard breeder. My dog was from a long line of field champions, master hunters and other highly titled dogs. So was the sire of my litter. Both parents of the pups had already earned their AKC Senior Hunter titles. Both parents were cleared through the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals on their hips and elbows. The pups eyes were checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist.

What's more, I had thoroughly socialized the pups, spending hours of time with them. They were introduced to retrieving, birds and water. They LOVED people and were smart little things.

Recently I placed a pup from my last litter with a very good friend and fellow hunter/ retriever trainer. She mentioned to me how much different this pup is from some of the others she has obtained from larger kennels. She noted that the pup from me did not ever bite at her like so many do when first brought home. And how eager to please he was and how he always retrieves and delivers a bumper or a bird to hand.

I have also noticed a big difference in pups I have bought that are raised in someone's house with a lot of time spent interacting with people versus pups that came from a very highly respected kennel where the time spent with the pups was a little less steady.

From the time my pups are three weeks old they ride on my truck with me out to the training grounds where they hear far-off gun fire. By the time they are six weeks old, they are introduced to birds and they are exposed on a regular basis to the sound of far-off gun fire. By the time they are eight weeks old, they are introduced to retrieving and begin to associate the sound of gun fire with the excitement of marks.

I think of the term "backyard breeder" and think of someone who does not compete and train with their dogs. They might have a male & female dog and just let them "get together" in hopes of making money off the pups. They probably don't know a whole lot about pedigrees and clearances. Not that the pups are necessarily going to be bad dogs. Not at all. Being a "backyard breeder" is not necessarily saying that the dogs are not going to turn out well, especially if the dogs are well socialized and well cared for.

Puppy Mills have received huge amounts of attention over the past twenty years. The plight of dogs in wire cages imprisoned and forced to breed puppies to be sold to pet stores is an emotional topic that tugs at most people's heart. There are many great people who rescue dogs from these mills when they are shut down by authorities. The dogs and pups coming out of these operations face many health issues. They also have a tendency to have problems with socialization. Dogs kept in isolation from people often exhibit fear of people--for good reason.

As a professional dog trainer, I recommend NOT buying a puppy from a pet store. Chances are that pup came from a puppy mill. The likelihood that the pup will be harder to train is huge. Plus, buying a pup from a local breeder that you can visit and interview will discourage puppy mills from being in business.

Dogs Carry Baskets at Meeker Days Puyallup

Puyallup Fast Pup Dog Training and Kate Johansson strut their stuff for the crowds at the 2009 Meeker Days celebration. Dogs carrying baskets of candy for the kids (young and not so young!) are always a big hit.



If you would like to have a dog that will be well-behaved even around the most severe distractions, please give us a call for a no cost, no obligation demonstration and a free assessment of your dog.

http://www.fastpupdogtraining.com/

Training for Marks with Gus

Tacoma Dog Trainer Kate Johansson works with Gus, an English Labrador Retriever on marking training. Gus was a board and train who stayed for three months. Gus came with no desire and left with tremendous desire for the retrieve. Check it out!



If you need help with your retriever, give us a call 253.569.0411

Trained Labrador Retriever Puppy For Sale

Fast Pup Retriever Training Tacoma WA 253.569.0411

Mojo is a three month old AKC Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Here you see him mark, retrieve, return to his handler and deliver a bird to hand. His four-generation Pedigree includes over 26 Field Champions and Master Hunters. Sire is AKC Master Hunter and mom is AKC Senior Hunter. He is a very affectionate love bug, in addition to his budding talents as a hunting dog.



If you would like more information about this little guy, please call Kate in Tacoma WA 253.569.0411
http://www.fastpupdogtraining.com/

Brutus English Mastiff Rest In Peace

Brutus, a 200 pound English Mastiff recently went over the Rainbow Bridge. Fast Pup Dog Training made this video of him as a tribute. He was only four years old and died of cancer. Rest in peace big boy. We miss you!



If you have a big, out of control dog or a little tiny Terrier or terrorist as we sometimes jokingly call them, give us a call. We can help!

http://www.fastpupdogtraining.com/

Beans' Swim By Training

Do you love to hunt waterfowl? Ever wished you could send your dog on a long blind or handle your dog to a cripple? It all starts with the trained retrieve, or force fetch.

Most retrievers will be able to handle a bird you drop right into the pond in front of you with little or no training. It is when things don't go perfectly, that the great dogs shine. A great dog has lots of drive--and good training.

Here you see Beans, a 14 month old black Lab on her first "swim-by" exercise. This is coming off a winter break and much time spent drilling on "wagon wheels," "lining drills," and "T-patterns."

The swim-by is one of the last steps of the trained retrieve.






For help with your dog, call Fast Pup Dog Training. 253.569.0411
http://www.fastpupdogtraining.com/

Rehabilitating Fear Aggressive Labrador Retriever

Fast Pup Dog Training Tacoma works with a young dog with a fear aggression problem. Check out this video of Lucy, a Chocolate Labrador Retriever who came to us for rehabilitation after developing a fearful habit of biting at only 7 months of age. After spending a month with us, she is doing much better.
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Lucy is a happier dog now that she is learning to live with a pack of dogs and humans along with her retriever training.

Tacoma's Fast Pup Discusses Sled Dogs Iditerod

Kate Johansson from Fast Pup Dog Training, Tacoma will host Dog Talk Radio on KLAY 11.80 am on March 10th discussing the Iditerod Sled Dog Race that is taking place from March 6th through March 17th in Alaska.

We will be interviewing Kim Tinker, from Cascade Sled Dog Club in Oregon about all the fun and inexpensive activities you can do with your dog such as Dog Sledding, Dog Scootering and Skijoring. Kim will be explaining how to train your dog to pull in a harness, what an Alaskan Husky really is, and how you control a whole team of dogs.

The show airs Wednesday, March 10th from 12:00 -- 1:00 pm and on Saturday, March 13th from 1:00 -- 2:00 pm.

Fast Pup Retriever Training: Teaching The Blind Retrieve

Take your dog out in field with you to plant blind. Have them sit and watch you plant a pile of bumpers

Photos by Danny Phillips

For a green dog, stop and face pile a short distance back. Repeat the send from a short distance at first, then move back toward line and send again

Line the dog up, making sure he indicates with his body language that he wants to go in the direction that the blind is located. When you look at your dog, he should be facing the direction you want him to go.

Handler should have a definite cadence and timing for the send. "Dead Bird!" That's It!" "Back!" Same rhythm as "On your mark, Get set, Go!"

All training should be "training for success"

Dog should carry the bumper or bird all the way straight back to handler at line

And deliver to hand.

Tacoma's Fast Pup Retriever Training

Erin lines Presleigh up for a blind retrieve past a gun station

Photos by Danny Phillips. Shown here are Erin and Presleigh.

Don't want to send your dog off somewhere far away for two or three months for retriever training? Well, at Fast Pup Retriever Training, we work with owners and teach them how to do the retriever training exercises themselves.

A well directed dog will run toward the blind confidently

All higher levels of retriever training start with a "trained retrieve" program also known as "force fetch." Force fetch starts with "hold" training and continues through the "fetch" training. Training should continue through "walking fetch," "fetch to a pile," "T-patterns," "swim-by," and "cheating singles." A well balanced program will fold in lots of fun "marks," "wagon wheels," and "baseball." During the program, your dog should be introduced to birds. Pigeons, pheasant, duck at a minimum.

Presleigh has picked up the blind at tree line and returns past gun station where she had mark earlier

Fast Pup Retriever Training out of Tacoma, Washington provides several different programs to help amateur trainers learn how to do their own training. One program is a 10 week board and train where we keep the dog and finish the whole force-fetch program.

Presleigh enthusiastically returns with her "bird"

Another program we provide is a short program where the dog stays with us for two to three weeks and we teach the dog the "hold," and the "fetch" on command. Then we instruct the owner on how to complete it.

Presleigh delivers her bird and sits waiting for Erin to take it out of her mouth

With both programs, we highly encourage the owner to come out any time to watch what we are doing with the dog. We want the owner to learn how the training is done. We also encourage owners to join us for retriever training when we are doing marks and blinds. We will have a new handler run a seasoned dog to facilitate learning the timing and cadence of handling a dog. (There is more to it than most people think!)

Many families struggle with the idea of sending their beloved family member off to live in a kennel far away while they receive their basic training. If you want to keep your dog closer and be more involved, consider Fast Pup Retriever Training as an option.

Give us a call today at 253.569.0411

How To Turn Puppy Into Kujo Aggressive Dog

All pups have sharp teeth. All pups are mouthy. One of the biggest complaints we get from clients is that the pup is biting them too hard. (In fact, at seminars we do we frequently get people holding up their scarred and scabbed hands as evidence of their problem.) If you treat your puppy like a human child or baby and do not take the role of pack leader (or the pup's real dog Mom) and the puppy begins biting too hard, nipping, lunging at people and generally getting away with bad behavior, there is a very real possibility that the pup will learn to bite people.

Recently we heard about a 7 month old chocolate lab who had bitten her owner several times (hard--drew blood) and a number of other people recently. We ended up bringing the dog home with us after she bit Kate as she put the leash on the dog. It was too serious a matter to leave the dog in her own home environment because the behavior was escalating and the family did not have the experience to know how to react properly with this dog.

The dog is a sweet tempered dog almost all the time. Typical Labrador Retriever. Except when she feels threatened or is being pressured to do something she does not want to do. The first time she bit the owner in a nasty way, she was only about 5 months old and her owner needed to wash the mud off her paws before going in the house. The "correction" that was given to the dog at that time was for the owner to yell "No!" and turn his back on her. (This advice came from a "trainer" at the obedience class at a big box store.) So the dog won that battle. Turning your back on a dog is NOT A CORRECTION!

Now this sort of behavior does not just suddenly appear. This undoubtedly started in puppyhood. At about 5 or 6 weeks, the breeder should be taking over slowly from Mom the duties of caring for and disciplining the puppies. (Caring for a litter of puppies is VERY TIME CONSUMING and if done correctly should set up the pups for a successful life.) This is a very big reason to get your pup from a reputable breeder and not a pet store where the pups most likely came from a puppy mill.) It is very important for the pups to stay together as a litter until at least 7 weeks. If the pup is going to an only dog home, I recommend that the pup stay with it's litter mates as long as 10 or 12 weeks. From 3 weeks to 4 months is a very critical time in the pup's life. The more time the pup can spend with other dogs in the early stages, the better the pup's chances of being well adjusted.

When the pup bites Mom, he will get an appropriate correction. She may give a little shake on the scruff of his neck and after he learns that lesson, all it may take from her is a look and a warning growl. We see the pups take a submissive position to Mom and other older adult dogs when they get a correction from them. Often the vocalize to "cry Uncle." This may look to a human like a really sad, pathetic thing and it might be tempting to feel sorry for the pup--or even "save" him from the situation. Wrong! Dogs are not furry humans! Dogs are not "politically correct." Dogs speak dog and conduct themselves the way they need to in order to have a well balanced and effective "pack." What we humans need to do to be successful puppy raisers is to study the pack behavior and take the role of pack leader.

The breeder should be knowledgeable and experienced enough to be able to give proper dog-like corrections to the pups after Mom turns over the duties. If the pup bites the people feeding him and cleaning his quarters--even though the bite might be playful, he should get a little correction. When the new owners take the pup home, they should be willing to give appropriate, dog-like corrections too.

This is where so many new dog owners get into trouble. If people are not willing to give their pup a correction for transgressions like biting too hard and are not willing to be pack leader around food, then the likelihood that a behavioral problem like aggressive biting will develop increases. And once the dog becomes a mature adult, the problem becomes much more difficult problem to fix.

Luckily for Lucy, the 7 month old Lab, she is still enough of a puppy that her aggressive biting behavior can be changed fairly easily. Our job is not finished though with fixing Lucy's behavior. In order for these changes to stick once she returns home, the people in her life must be willing to change their behavior. They must learn how to deliver swift, appropriate corrections to this dog when needed. Otherwise the dog will return to old habits and the bad behavior will become worse.

Most aggression that we typically see is a direct result of human ignorance. In order to live well with dogs, we must understand that we must give them what they need. They need us to be good pack leaders. In the absence of leadership, dogs are hard-wired to step into the leadership role. It is not something they "decide" to do, it is something that kicks in through instinct. A dog "leading" humans is a recipe for disaster.

In Memory Of Silverbrook's Ginger Lei Senior Hunter

Silverbrook's Ginger Lei SH went over the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. She was only 10 years old.

She taught me a lot over the years. She was my first pup that I got for hunting & retrieving. Boy, did I have a LOT to learn. For the last couple of years she had been teaching people new to the sport of retriever training how to handle a dog on marks and blinds. A good handler makes it look easy on even a green dog. A great dog makes a green handler look good.

Ginny continued to help teach new handlers until almost the very end. Good-By Gin Girl. We miss you so much and we will see you on the other side.

Human Components Of Dog Training Can Be Challenging

Tune in to KLAY 11.80 am this Saturday at 1:00 pm pacific time for a discussion with Kate Johansson, Tacoma dog trainer, on how a handler's expectations, attitude, body language and heart can influence dog behavior. If you want your dog to be different, YOU need to be different!

Recently some members of our training, picnic trial club wanted to change the rules of running in the mock trials we put on several times a year for our retrievers. They wanted to allow "training equipment" to be used while running the dogs. The reasoning went that everyone knows that dogs "know" when they are at a trial. That is why they act so much more excited and are so much more difficult to control. There is something about the excitement of a trial and all the many trucks and the more formalized waiting for a turn in front of the judges--having to wait behind all those holding blinds, etc.

We've been hearing this for years. How dogs "know" when it is a trial and act differently. So, if we could just have a "trial" and use "training equipment" the dogs would learn not to behave differently at a trial.

Problem is that the dogs are NOT reacting to the different atmosphere of the trial. We humans are. We are in competitive mode. We are being judged. There are spectators watching us. We had to get up in the middle of the night and drive a long distance to get there. We had to pay a significant entry fee for the opportunity to be judged. We might have had to get a hotel. We have a LOT invested in this trial. We have been training for months or years for this opportunity. And now its show time!

And the dogs look at us and sense something is different--about us. If we want our dogs to act the same way at a trial that they do in training--we need to learn to act and feel the same way we do in training. The only way to get comfortable at trials and tests is to enter our dogs in a lot of them. The more "line time" we get taking our dogs to the line in front of the judges at trials, the better we will get at doing it.

Trying to trick the dog into thinking he is at a trial while still being in training mode might give the trainer/handler a false sense of accomplishment. But when that handler gets out of his truck at a real trial next weekend, his dog is going to know something is different. Because that same old feeling is going to come back to the handler.

We see this problem in pet dogs too. The problem of owners/handlers having anxiety, nervousness, and negative emotions while dealing with their dogs. Many, many dog problems are really confidence problems with the owners. And that is where so much education comes in to play with dog training. Training dogs is easy. Teaching and building confidence in the owners can sometimes be more challenging.