So what does "Bond With Your Heart, Train With Your Brain" mean? This is a phrase that I came up with that really represents my training style and everything I stand for. I actually came up with this phrase earlier this year when I was doing a presentation at the IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals) in San Diego. I was doing two presentations, and one of them was on my balanced dog training style. I was sitting around thinking about how I could end the presentation, and I remember something that kept racing in my mind was the word "rational". Then as I thought about it more, I realized that the people that are not rational about dog training normally do it based on emotions, and thinking with their heart. I just remember saying to myself out loud, develop a relationship with your dog based on emotions... but when it comes to training, be rational and think with your brain. I started to come up with some phrases, and "Bond With Your heart, Train With Your Brain" just stuck out.

This message is so important because I believe that some pet owners have good intentions, and they want to do the right thing. Sometimes they might not train a dog a certain way or use a certain tool because of something that had happened in the past. They might have seen someone abuse a dog with a certain tool, or may have abused the dog themselves with that training tool. What happens so often in situations like this is that the person lets the past dictate the present and future.

My message is don't get emotional about dog training. You can make if fun and interesting for the dog, and at the same time have control and good communication. You can also have a great training environment using a variety of training tools.. some you might have seen someone misuse years ago.

• < Prev
• Next >