By Sean O'Shea,Socialization! In the dog world we hear this over and over...socialize, socialize, socialize. And don't get me wrong, having early positive experiences with other dogs, people and environments is a big part of creating a stable dog.But the problem I see is this: So many owners/trainers lately seem to be focused on some magical process that will supposedly transpire when dogs (most of whom are older and have behavior issues) are forced to spend time/engage with other dogs or people in a haphazard, unstructured, and leadership free fashion. Which is simply an uninformed, and clumsy attempt to create positive associations and "teach" them to "like" each other just by being around each other - and that hopefully they'll figure out on their own.I see it all the time...'I'm bringing my dog who has some issues to Petco, the dog park, or walking him up to my neighbor's barking, lunging dog to get him "socialiized"'. Yowza! Attempting to "socialize" an unstable dog is the perfect recipe for disaster. Somehow this myth, that just being around dogs or people will make everything great, has been propagated and sold to the dog public. I'd like to make a bold suggestion here: Stop worrying about socialization! At least for the time being.Socialization (for a dog who is exhibiting issues) should always and only be done after a proper relationship with you, the owner has been established...and NEVER before. Bringing  an unstable dog, who has no leadership, and no sense of boundaries or what is expected/allowed, into a situation where he is triggered, is setting the table for a serious incident.Here's the secret to starting the process of sorting out behavior problems towards people or dogs (or anything else for that matter): Create a fantastic, balanced relationship with your dog, through structured exercise, rules, consequences for inappropriate behavior, and affection at appropriate times (when the dog is relaxed, mellow, behaving in a stable fashion). Then, when your dog is respectful, relaxed, and will defer to you in sticky situations, you can start slowly bringing your dog around things they have problems with. And I do mean slowly...do not walk up to the nearest dog or unleash him at the dog park...slowly walk him closer to the triggers, and earn his trust and respect...he will show you exactly how far the two of you have come by how reacts as you close the distance in these situations.Once you have convinced your dog that you are actually his pack leader (and I mean 100% convinced!), you are then able to change your dog's perception/feelings regarding issues/triggers/whatever...he will, rather than act out on his own, defer to your requests...but this takes time, lots of practice, commitment, and work.So, remember, lead first, then socialize.Next post, we'll go deeper into the mental programming of our dogs, and how this concept of pack structure/leadership is at the heart of their DNA...and therefor at the heart of your relationship, and your ability to train or rehabilitate your dog.Visit our website here to learn more about Sean.

 The Good Dog Training and Rehabilitation want you to know about the following:I think it's time we give our dogs a bit more credit. There's a giant difference between having some information/understanding some concepts, and mastery. We seem to understand this intuitively when it pertains to humans, but somehow think the rules change when we're dealing with k9's - oh if only that were true - dog training would be a cinch. So what exactly am I getting at here? Ok, lets imagine you've decided to learn how to rollerblade. You've got your blades, and you have your friend who's pretty good who's going to help you along. You start off super shaky and super uncoordinated, but after an hour or so, you've got a bit of a handle on it. Fast forward to later that week, you've been practicing diligently, and (in your mind) you're really starting to make some magic happen on the blades. But here's the thing, yes, you are technically rollerblading - you are standing up, you are moving forward, and you only swing your arms around in a life saving gyration to regain balance every 100 yards or so...but just because you are technically rollerblading...yes, you are doing the act...this doesn't change the fact that to every person who sees you careening down the street, that it's obvious that you are a beginner, a novice, a newbie. And just how exactly does this have anything to do with dog training? Well, like I said earlier, I think it's time we give our dogs more credit. Just like the person witnessing your attempt to master (or just do) rollerblading clearly understands that at this point in time you aren't very good at what you're doing (even though you are technically doing it). Our dogs sense the same thing when we are attempting to be pack leaders, when we engage in training, or are working to fix behavior problems...it's painfully obvious to our dogs that we are a long way from mastery...that we are in fact often flailing about. And here's the deal, it's the mastery of all the little things: timing, reading your dog's body language, using the appropriate intensity for corrections, keeping yourself relaxed and staying absolutely cool under fire, not tensing up on the leash, having multiple strategies for dealing with a situation (and many other components), that create and transmit a sense of certainty and confidence to your dog. That's all your dog wants to know: are you certain? Can you convince me that you know what you're doing, so that it makes sense to my DNA to follow you? The biggest thing that good dog trainers bring to the table is confidence and certainty, born out of experience, and lots and lots of practice. Dogs immediately sense when someone is experienced, confident, certain...masterful...and when they are not...and they respond accordingly, without exception. So the point of all this is to remember, like any skill in life that is valuable or worthwhile, it usually takes lots and lots of time to move from bungling, to proficient, to good, and if your truly dedicated, finally to masterful. And no one knows better your degree of skill than your dog. So if you're struggling with basic training, advanced training, mild to severe behavior problems, remember, it's not your dog that is the problem...and I know this is a tough one to swallow, but it's you...it's you and your ability or lack of that determines your dog's progress. How good your dog becomes is a simple reflection of your abilities as pack leader, authority figure, dog trainer, and behavior modification expert. Your dog will simply be as good as you are...as you get better, your dog will get better. So instead of getting frustrated with yourself, or your dog, relax, and remember it's a process, a journey, it's gonna take time. It's not about overnight success, it's about small continuous victories and steps that are headed in the right direction. This is the journey of earning your dog's respect.  And if you hold mastery as your goal, you should at least hit pretty damn good, and for most dogs that will be more than enough. 

Hey all, I want to talk about a simple concept/formula I share with my clients who are working on fixing their dog's behavior problems. Now, it's not complicated, and it certainly isn't rocket science, but when you truly wrap your head around it, and master this simple formula, you will dramatically improve your ability to affect and change unwanted behavior in your dog.Ok, you ready?Here she is: Address the smallest infraction, the split second it begins.Too simple, too easy, right?Nope.Mastering this simple concept, by becoming adept at seeing the FIRST sign of a behavioral shift, and getting your timing/reaction so solid, and so quick that you are on top of it at this first sign, is a skill that all great dog trainers have in their tool box (and what usually allows them to create the appearance of magical abilities - Cesar is someone who is a master of this). You can have it as well - but it takes dedication and consistent work.The beauty of this simple formula is, if you consistently catch the problem at it's smallest or its least intensity, and you're able to prevent its escalation, you will likely never see the problem in its full bloom.And that my friends, is indeed a good thing!Feel free to share your thoughts below! 

One of the biggest (and most common) mistakes dog owners make when attempting to correct their dog's behavior problems is, to only focus on that moment - the moment when the dog does something they really dislike, or something that is really serious. What they forget about is, the other 23 hours and 50 minutes of the day - all those other moments when they unintentionally were teaching their dogs that they need not listen to them - that their humans were in fact pack mates, not pack leaders.What you say to your dog about who you are in his life, and what position you wish to play in his life, is determined by how you interact with your dog the majority of the time you spend together - not just when he bites the mailman or the neighbors dog, or when he growls at you when you get too close to his food or toys etc  - you can't constantly spoil, baby, not enforce rules (or with some dogs, just be  mildly loosey goosey) and then, when the chips are down, expect your dog to listen or take you seriously. If your dog is exhibiting any behavior problems, you have to first create the proper relationship, ALL THE TIME(!)...then once things are good, you can turn down the thermostat a bit, ease up, and adjust if desired or necessary.Remember, only pack leaders have the ability to change/influence unwanted behavior. Leadership is a 24/7 gig!http://thegooddog.net