The KC Dog Guy

I always here "I want to start with a puppy so I can train it". I'm a dog trainer and with the sorry state of most breeders I would rarely start with a puppy. You have no way of knowing the temperament of the puppy once it becomes a dog and also any health issues. I like dogs over a 18 months, you can tell how healthy they are and if you spend any time with them you can tell their temperament. This includes aggression, training, and personality. There is no way to test a puppy to predict what they will be like as a dog. Don't get me wrong I like puppies, but I hate the fact I have to wait 6-8 months to really enjoy the puppy. In 30 days I can take a 1 year+ shelter dog and have a dog I can go anywhere with....with no surprises. The average age of a dog in a shelter is between 9-16 months, meaning they were obtained as a puppy then relinquished. Our return rate at Wayside is less for dogs than puppies and I would assume that is the same for other shelters. I

This blog will be for everyone with a dog or those who are involved in sheltering. I have 9 years experience training dogs and as a trainer at Wayside Waifs. Take a view at the best dogs in the world at waysidewaifs.org. and my website gilbertsdogtraining.com. I will respond to requests, but will blog about dog training and the dogs at Wayside. My dog training philosophy is like no other dog trainers. Teaching Personal Space Jumpy and rude dogs have simply not been taught to respect their owners personal space. Try this little trick, call your dog over to you and at 18 inches, push the treat into the dog stopping his forward progress. Move and repeat this 10 times. On the 11th rep, wait and see where the dog stops... it will be at 18 inches. Repeat this each day with his food 1/10 at a time. After 10 days your dog will stop and sit 18 inches from you every time. If you want them closer then you invite them into your personal space. Soooo easy. Two paws up!