Dogs
by Carrie Boyko
It is time for Tanner and I to return for a CGC review. Having taken the AKC's 'Canine Good Citizen' test at age 11 months, he failed the social portions as a result of his social butterfly personality. I imagine Tanner was thinking, "Aren't these people and dogs here for me to kiss?"
What a fascinating and unexpected first impression I received when my Bark Busters instructor, Mike Shamp, explained the basic, underlying concepts used in their dog training. I find that learning new ways of doing things broadens my ability to customize how I handle my dogs. Each new experience brings something different to the mix, allowing me to better manage individual dogs, and the pack as a whole.
While I love the leadership focus of Cesar Millan, it has always been evident to me that this approach will not work for everyone. Most of us would need serious training in the skill of 'machismo', me included.
On the opposite end of that same spectrum lies the traditional treat-based, command-driven training that most U.S. trainers use. Most dogs are motivated by the treats, and we owners often find the verbal commands suit our own natural communication methods, but there are other ways. I was surprised to find that Bark Busters' approach does not put treats front and center, yet all the pups, even the young ones, got the message through body language. Simple, yet effective techniques were successful in teaching 'stand' and 'let's go' that I had not seen taught before.
Cesar Millan....meet Bark Busters. Somewhere in the middle of Cesar's dominant leadership method and the most commonly used treats and commands method, there is Bark Busters, founded in Australia in 1989. The company now trains in 10 countries, adding the U.S. to its list some 10 years ago. The U.S. Master Franchise was founded here in 2000.
The training concept used by Bark Busters reveals a different mindset. While leadership is the focus, it is balanced with an equal concentration on mimicing the communication of our canine companions. Learning their body language and ways of communicating, allows us to communicate and lead, using our dogs' own language. Herein lies the basic idea behind the Bark Busters method. I think Cesar would approve.
One interesting example that I learned during this class was that of a barking pup problem. Mike explained the cure for the dog's barking so simply. It was merely a matter of relieving the dog of the responsibility for whatever it was he was barking about.
For instance, if your dog barks when a stranger is in the yard, he merely needs to know that you are in control of the stranger, and he will no longer feel the need to alert you or the stranger. A simple, novel concept that can change the communication between you and your dog--leadership based communication that does not require treats to be taught. Somehow I felt my inner Oprah Winfrey coming out, if only just a bit.
All in all, my experience with the Bark Busters approach was positive. I particularly enjoyed the passion and commitment of Mike Shamp, my instructor, who shared with me some of the many projects he has been involved in over the years. Stay tuned here for more on his latest work with Central Florida hospitals. Curious? Hope to see you soon.
Mike and Judy Shamp can be reached at Bark Busters North via email: [email protected]
Be sure to drop in at 5 Minutes for Fido, where Oliver has some comments about Bark Busters and his CGC experience. His perspective is, as expected, candidly canine.
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© copyright Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved
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Dogs
Dog Training by Bark Busters: A Whole Different Concept
by Carrie Boyko
What a fascinating and unexpected first impression I received when my Bark Busters instructor, Mike Shamp, explained the basic, underlying concepts used in their dog training. I find that learning new ways of doing things broadens my ability to customize how I handle my dogs. Each new experience brings something different to the mix, allowing me to better manage individual dogs, and the pack as a whole.
While I love the leadership focus of Cesar Millan, it has always been evident to me that this approach will not work for everyone. Most of us would need serious training in the skill of 'machismo', me included.
On the opposite end of that same spectrum lies the traditional treat-based, command-driven training that most U.S. trainers use. Most dogs are motivated by the treats, and we owners often find the verbal commands suit our own natural communication methods, but there are other ways. I was surprised to find that Bark Busters' approach does not put treats front and center, yet all the pups, even the young ones, got the message through body language. Simple, yet effective techniques were successful in teaching 'stand' and 'let's go' that I had not seen taught before.
Cesar Millan....meet Bark Busters. Somewhere in the middle of Cesar's dominant leadership method and the most commonly used treats and commands method, there is Bark Busters, founded in Australia in 1989. The company now trains in 10 countries, adding the U.S. to its list some 10 years ago. The U.S. Master Franchise was founded here in 2000.
The training concept used by Bark Busters reveals a different mindset. While leadership is the focus, it is balanced with an equal concentration on mimicing the communication of our canine companions. Learning their body language and ways of communicating, allows us to communicate and lead, using our dogs' own language. Herein lies the basic idea behind the Bark Busters method. I think Cesar would approve.
One interesting example that I learned during this class was that of a barking pup problem. Mike explained the cure for the dog's barking so simply. It was merely a matter of relieving the dog of the responsibility for whatever it was he was barking about.
For instance, if your dog barks when a stranger is in the yard, he merely needs to know that you are in control of the stranger, and he will no longer feel the need to alert you or the stranger. A simple, novel concept that can change the communication between you and your dog--leadership based communication that does not require treats to be taught. Somehow I felt my inner Oprah Winfrey coming out, if only just a bit.
All in all, my experience with the Bark Busters approach was positive. I particularly enjoyed the passion and commitment of Mike Shamp, my instructor, who shared with me some of the many projects he has been involved in over the years. Stay tuned here for more on his latest work with Central Florida hospitals. Curious? Hope to see you soon.
Mike and Judy Shamp can be reached at Bark Busters North via email: [email protected]
Be sure to drop in at 5 Minutes for Fido, where Oliver has some comments about Bark Busters and his CGC experience. His perspective is, as expected, candidly canine.
Visit Adopt a Dog Park
Help protect our precious dog parks
© Carrie Boyko, all rights reservedFollow All Things Dog at Twitter Find me at Facebook
© copyright Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved
Bookmark this on Delicious
- Ask The Dog Trainer, With Mike Shamp: Stopping Your Counter Surfer
by Mike Shamp, Master Dog Behavior Therapist and Trainer © courtesy R.B., reader copyright on file Meet OrlyDear Mike: 1. How can I break my 3 1/2 year old Dalmatian from counter surfing? 2. My Dalmatian gets so excited when we have company. ...
- Ask The Dog Trainer, With Mike Shamp, Painfully Playful Water Dogs, Part Ii
by Mike Shamp Master Dog Behavior Therapist and Trainer (c) Carrie Boyko Stay, Tanner. Good Boy, Tanner. Responding to an All Things Dog Blog reader, Carol, our trainer, Mike Shamp started Carol with some tips for preparing her Lab to accept watching...
- Ask The Dog Trainer, With Mike Shamp: Painfully Playful Water Dogs, Part I
by Mike Shamp Master Dog Behavior Therapist and Trainer © Carrie BoykoRetrievers are Eager to Swim with their Pack Dear Mike: Summer is over and my children have a few new scars. Our Lab loves to swim with my kids and their friends. She...
- Fido Meets Baby: A Program To Prepare New Parents
by Carrie Boyko, CEB Baby will Soon be on Level with Your DogBringing home a new baby is one of the top reasons that dogs end up in shelters. Yet there is much a couple can do to prepare their pup, whether 10 lbs or 150. One trainer is taking up this...
- Training Classes For Dogs
Dog training is a way of communicating with your pets, teaching them to interact with the human world. Without proper training, your dog doesn't know which behaviors are acceptable and which ones aren't, and may jump on guests or climb on furniture....