Dan's Elite Dog Training

Good Dogs aren't born - they're Trained!

by Cyndi Paxton Johnson  www.MidShoreLife.com

In April we adopted a young black lab that had been rescued from a kill shelter in Georgia. Instantly our somewhat chaotic household was immersed in constant insanity - the dogs fought, the cats hissed, the children screamed, and the young male dog was a force in motion - constantly chewing, jumping, biting, destroying, etc. Even our animal-crazed children begged us to get rid of him. He was, quite frankly, the canine spawn from hell.

In desperation I emailed several dog training groups around the Mid Shore. I've trained dogs before, but had never encountered a Beast such as this. I was concerned about joining a "rewards only" dog training class. Even with smaller, calmer dogs I've always had the best results from a combination of rewards and a properly used choke chain collar. But nothing in my past prepared me for this unmanageable, wild beast. We had just about admitted defeat and were prepared to return him when I spoke with Dan Salb from Dan's Elite Dog Training in Easton.  Dan was confident that our Beast could be trained - and guaranteed that, if we followed his program, our dog would be OFF-LEASH reliable at the end of the 10 week training program.  He sounded so confident that I instantly felt better - the feelings of hopelessness and defeat were GONE.  We had a plan!

I was very encouraged following our first class - I cou

ld already see a difference with his behavior outside, on leash. Unfortunately that didn't address his MULTITUDE of problems indoors. I was told to keep him crated unless I could devote my time to him, and to return him to the crate if he became unmanageable.  He spent a LOT of time in that crate. (and yes, I felt guilty about that!)

I learned SO much in the training classes - the most obvious being - Dog training is WORK! Dan is a hard task master - it felt like we were in boot camp. Everything looked so easy when he did it - but there are a million ways to do the same thing - incorrectly. I was in a daze following class - and totally wiped out. Dan didn't tolerate excuses (and boy, did I have them!). I had the WORST dog in the class - the only one that behaved like a raving lunatic (and the only one that BIT me when I tried to correct him!).

We were supposed to work with the dog EVERY day. Sometimes - that just didn't happen. It was always evident on class day when I had neglected my work - and Dan always chewed me out for my obvious ineptitude. (did I mention...boot camp?) I was in tears several times - mostly because the dog was still behaving so badly indoors - no matter how wonderfully he was heeling on our walks. Dan kept telling me to have patience with the program - it took time to build the steps correctly.

I was thrilled when we passed our six-week test (involving kite string between collar and leash - if it breaks, you fail). This was also about the time I started seeing SOME improvement indoors. I could put him in a short sit/stay when he was wild - and it would calm him down a bit.  About this time we also lost two class members - they never showed up for their test. (I know how they felt - I was very tempted to call it quits, as well!) Dan's class prepares you for the AKC novice obedience test - it's more than some folks are looking for - and the workload seems overwhelming when you don't have an end goal in mind. One gal in the class traveled with her VERY well bred Sheltie from DC every week because she wants to compete in AKC obedience. Me...I wanted an off-leash reliable dog...indoors and out.

The final few weeks of class were nothing short of amazing - we still had problems but every week there were less "issues". I was actually beginning to enjoy the dog's company! We worked more off leash, heeling and practicing the sit/stay and come command.  The Beast did fine with sit & stay. When it was time to "come" he charged me like a bull then went racing towards Easton. Back to the basic steps for us!

I'm thrilled to report that last Saturday we PASSED our final exam - the AKC Novice Obedience test. He wasn't perfect - but at least he didn't BOLT on the "come" command. We went to the Talbot County Dog Show on Sunday and watched the obedience trials. I think he's almost ready to take them on - he's still a puppy and has WAY too much interest in what's going on around him - we need to work on that. I'm even considering returning for Dan's NEXT class - which prepares us for the AKC Open obedience trials!

It's funny - I had absolutely NO intention of competing in AKC events - I just wanted a family dog that didn't make us crazy. I got so much more than that. Not only do we now have a lovable family dog - we also have a low-cost family activity that gives us exercise, allows us to work together for a common goal, and provides us with old fashioned family fun!

The Beast is no more. Our black lab is a contributing member of our family.

Who could ask for more?