Response to Channel 10’s News Story- part 2. An open challenge to trainers against my methods.
By Jeff Gellman of Solid K9 Training.
Real Dog Training by The Real Dog Trainer
I’ve always been amazed by the people who have nothing to offer except their own critical opinions. When someone is taking chances and making investments of time and energy to save dogs’ lives, only to be criticized by someone who isn’t actually out there rescuing and rehabilitating the same aggressive dogs, it is unfortunate. If any dog trainer out there disagrees with my training methods, despite the testimonials, happy dogs and positive outcomes I produce, then I have an open challenge for them: don’t just tell me; show me.
Show me how to train any dog with any behavior problem so he is balanced and calm. Show me you can take the dog anywhere at any time with you, including them in nearly any aspect of your life. If there’s anyone that can achieve the same quick results using different methods, then I’d be completely open to learning from them. However, if someone is not able to train the same dogs I get on a constant basis, then they certainly should not be criticizing me.
“Pure positive” dog training has hit the mainstream, and although there may be a few easygoing dogs that respond flawlessly to this method over time, the vast majority of dogs do not, or I would not be as successful as I’ve been over the past decade. If you use logic and common sense, this common approach is neither balanced, nor rational. Methods such as “time-outs”, ignoring bad behavior and even rewarding dogs after an immediate redirect is more of an injustice to a dog than a quick correction, leaving them confused and frustrated. I’ll also add, that most if not all of dogs in shelters do not have the time it will take to train them using the “pure positive” methods, so will most likely be killed as a result. In order to thrive and arrive at their full potential, dogs need to learn from their leader what is acceptable behavior and what is not through a clear and balanced approach.
All dogs big and small, young and old, gentle or aggressive need a leader in their lives in order to feel safe and secure. In order for dogs to see you as leader, they must have confidence in you in both providing structure, and making sound and timely decisions. In order to build a dog’s confidence in you, you must always have clear communication and give them direction. Show them with calm consistency what is wrong, what is right, and what to do next. It’s really that simple.
With that being said, anyone who disagrees with my approach should show me, rather than tell me that their methods are better. Every trainer is working toward the common goal of saving as many dogs as we can, and rather than taking the time to criticize, lets take the time to train each dog as efficiently as possible, so they can be on their way to their best life possible.
If you have any questions, and want to speak to professional dog trainers in Rhode Island, please contact dog trainer Jeff Gellman at 401.527.6354.
Jeff Gellman
Solid K9 Training Providence, RI (401) 527-6354
Solid K9 Training 210 24th Street Brooklyn NY 11232 (401) 527-6354
You should follow me on Twitter HERE
I do not know of your methods. But in general I agree with you 100%. I think there are those dogs ( easy going and non issue) that will respond to pure positive reenforcement. But dogs with issues need leaders, not dominant cruel people, but leaders strong enough to tell them what is correct and what is not, like any dog would do in a ( balanced)pack situation. I thiknk it is important to know dog behavior and tailor rehab to the dog. I have one dog that needs lower pressure correction but correction none the less while another I am helping yo have to match her energy to correct her. Ihave found both to work with somethings. I am not a trainer but have adopted some doggies with issues and theya re turning into lovely dogs for my husband and I. I have seen pictures and bits and pieces of what youhave done, and with the limited exposure I have had, I say thank you for helping save the difficult doggies lives. Angela Lent
I have a dog that is a service dog, we do not have the luxury of using just a positive only training method with her. She is expected by me and by the public to be perfect in her behavior at all times. While she is still learning, always learning, by using some of Jeff’s methods I am more confident in her behavior and know that I can trust her in situations that I have not been able to before. Sasha is a happy well contented dog. I use a pinch collar on her but I have also had training and use it appropriately. I agree with Jeff on this. There are too many dogs being “disposed” of because their owners cannot or will not take the time to correct the negative behaviors.
Kristin, as you realize it is extremely important that Service Dogs get corrected, a true service dog is responsible for the life and death of its owner and one small mistake can really mess things up. I am glad that you have found a great balance with the training of your dog to get the results that you need, keep up the great work and thank you for your kind words
I think your methods are great. I can honestly say we put a dog down for aggression when it probably shouldn’t have been. But I was not aware of you then. I wish to this day that I’d have the opportunity to have you help that “99% loving dog” into a “100% bite/aggression free dog”….ugh! So sorry you are being criticized – u r right – let them show you if they have better methods.
Jody, thanks for your input, I think that it is great that I am criticized, I love the fact that I am so well known in the dog training community to have such a story written about me. I love the fact that I put up daily progress of so many dogs, I am so fortunate to work with over 20 families every single week that are seeing DRAMATIC change in there dogs behavior.
These pure positive exploiters have lots to say but nothing to show. The bias media are merely useful idiots who are being used as cattle prods to push these bridge to no where ideas onto the public. It has morphed into a false religious system where dogs have become the sacrificial lambs who are being sacrificed onto the altar of the trash science agenda. Keep up the good work Jeff. As I say there is only one way to go and that is straight ahead.
Dale, thanks for your input, as you know the PP community just make a lot of noise and there is no results, sort of like someone that keeps telling you that the world is flat but has never left the house before they just look out the window and it looks flat. I personally have never met anyone that has gotten results from the PP community and I travel the country training dogs. Of course there are things that can be learned to relatively good results, but when you talk about the whole dog the 24/7 life of the dog, the well behaved and well trained dog that can exist in the REAL WORLD with the general public, lots of other dogs and massive amounts of distractions, it just is not working. I am not quite sure how so many trainers can be happy with their own failures, I am surprised that their ethical standards of delivering success is not one of the best practices of the PP training community