"SO YOU HAVE A BRAND NEW PUPPY....WHAT NOW?"

I raised several breeds of dogs for quite a few years, mainly as a hobby. They were sold as pet quality not meant for show, but still carefully selected and well bred animals. I enjoyed very much taking care of my dogs, watching the puppies grow, and meeting new people that came to look at and buy them. Often times I was ask by a new pet owner how to go about training their puppy for different things.... house training, walking on leash, sit, stay etc. ..... I trained my dogs myself, just using my own techniques that I had learned over the years, but had never really given much thought to how other people trained their dogs. Raising larger breeds such as Great Danes and Boxers, I always explained to people that bought my dogs the importance of spending time with and training their dogs so they would be easier to handle and good pets.

I decided to do a little research and put together a training coarse. I divided up the things I considered valuable lessons for a good, well rounded, obedience trained dog into ten classes. I advertised dog obedience training classes... one evening a week, two hours, ten consecutive weeks, for $10 a week. The response was much better than I had anticipated. I signed up twenty five people fairly quickly, which was the limit I set for my class. I was very excited, getting all my paraphernalia together, planning my strategies... and then I panicked. I would be teaching "people" how to train their dogs. Now, I was perfectly comfortable teaching dogs... I had all the faith in the world in them being able to learn what ever I wanted them to, but "people" ? Don't get me wrong... I do like people, but I do also much more prefer the company of animals. I find them more willing, less demanding and drama filled, and much more loyal than most humans.

I retreated to my usual place of stress relief and thinking ....... the dog kennels. As I sat talking to and hugging the one hundred and thirty pound Great Dane stud dog that was my very best friend and confidant my fears slowly faded to the back of mind. Looking at the dog, I started to get an idea... Breawind's Imminent Domain... nicknamed Brutus, was one of the most well behaved, well trained and best natured dogs I had. His leash edict was immaculate, and I had even worked with him on some off leash training. He was also super intelligent, and using him as a demonstrator dog I was sure he could teach most people a thing a two. With Brutus as the main attraction and also the senior instructor, my first obedience training class was a wonderful success.

I continued with the classes for several years and Brutus became somewhat of a legend as my partner. His people skills were amazing, and so much better than mine. When ever we had a couple that were having some difficulties, I handed Brutus's leash to the person, and I took their dog's leash. He would walk patiently waiting on the right commands, and if they came too slow or wrong he would somehow always manage to correct the situation, giving the person on the other end of his leash more confidence and understanding of what they needed to be doing. I, on the other hand, was very glad to take the leash of that person's confused and usually frustrated dog. Brutus retired at the ripe old age of ten, and sadly, passed away two years later. The times we had together are etched in my memory forever. He was truly the best "people" teacher I have known.

I still tell many of the stories about our days of obedience classes and proudly portray Brutus as the head "people" instructor. Without him I am not sure I could have pulled off near the success or sent as many satisfied dog owners home with well trained happy dogs.

Below is the outline of the curriculum I used. I still today teach a part of it here and there, but haven't had the classes in years. I am excited to say I will be doing a written version in the near future at this site, Take Care of Your Dog.com. I will be doing one class per week for ten consecutive weeks. I invite anyone who is interested to check our classes out, or just stop by for a look at the other great things for your dogs at this web site.