Session 1 (Introduction to Canine Behavior Therapist Training)

As a consultant, trainer, friend-of-dogs, lecturer, trainer of people, grief counselor, puppy finder and more, you will be a non-verbal communicator with dogs as well as their therapist and coach for making it in a people's world.

Millions of relationships with canines and humans result in an owener being frustrated and angry while the dgo is sent to shelters and whose life too often ends in euthanasia. It is a sad fact so many preventable problems go untreated or addressed at the expense of what should have been a healthy and fulfilling relationship between man/woman and dog.

You can be proud and passionate about your decision to elevate your status as a canine owner, companion and perhaps even, therapist. The world is desperate for people like you who care about the quality of life for peole and their pets.

The course you are about to embark on is intense and complete in it's focus. However, it will be crucial that you find every available opportunity to interact with different dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds in order to make practical application of the things you learn here online.

Never. Never assume you are more than you are when it comes to being a dog listener or whisperer. A person who approaches every situation with confidence is different than one who approaches with arrogance. There will always be another level of knowledge to which one can aspire and that fact alones means you will enjoy the greatest success and pleasure from your education if you listen to others, give careful though to each situation and approach people, pets and circumstances with gentleness, confidence and an open-mind.

In addition to learning the basics of training and obedience, you will learn the intricacies of behavior in canines. Whether it is basic obedience, competetion training or correcting serious behavior problems, the world of dogs is challenging, exciting and fun. The perfect mis of these ingredients is what will let you know that you are doing the right things, developing the right relationships or even building the right kind of business.

All of the information contained in this course, and each session, is important. Please be careful to learn each topic thouroughly to ensure your well-rounded and complete training. To begin, we will learn some of the basic physical features of a dog. These should be memorized. When you see a dog, try to identify these areas in your mind or even out loud, to facilitate training that goes beyond simply "memorizing".

As you touch and feel these areas it will become evident to you the exact location of each component of the dogs body. If you are also studying the Harmony Alternative Health Therapist course at http://www.harmonyapt.blogspot.com/ you will learn much more detail about the physical anatomy of canines.

Announcing The All New...

Canine Behavior Therapist Training Course.

Beginning on November 5, 2010 you will be able to go through this entire professional dog training and obedience at no charge for personal use. If you are a veterinarian, technician, assistant, trainer or an individual desiring a course that prepares you for a career in working with canines in the field of training, obedience and behavior, you are at the right place.

At anytme during this course you may contact us for certification testing and pay the certification fee. It is not necessary to pursue certification if you are using these resources for personal use.

The terms Canine Behavior Therapist, Harmony Canine Behavior Therapist or Harmony APT Therapists cannot be used without proper certification and licensure from Harmony APT.

Is Your Dog Ready to Be Off-Leash?

Your dog should look at you when you call even if he/she is engaged in another interesting activity.
Your dog should be able to sit as another person or dog approaches.
Your dog should not lunge toward another dog or person.
Your dog should have NO history of fighting or biting.
You should always be in front of your dog when you cannot see far enough of ahead of you to know if others are approaching.
Your dog may be the friendliest dog in the nation BUT, other coming DO NOY KNOW THAT. A mother pushing a stroller should NOT have to wonder if your dog is "safe". Call your dog, heel your dog, leash your dog and ask the person if they are OK with friendly dogs?

Be a responsible pet owner and if you need help call a professional.

Pulls On The Leash

This can be complicated depending on the circumstances. However, most dogs that pull have figured out that is the only way to get where they want to go.

I usually start jogging with a dog so we are moving fast enough to keep them going MY direction. When I start walking a dog I simply DO NOT go where they pull. I turn, keep the leash taut and when they come my way, I start walking and praise them. Do not expect to walk around the block when doing this. It should be a short training session and you may never go more than 10 yards in one direction. Holding a treat in your hand at nose level may encourage the dog to walk close and sniff for the treat. this way you can get a few yards of walking on a loose leash.

My Dog Barks Too Much

This can be a good thing. teaching a dog to bark is more difficult than teaching one to not bark.

Hold a treat for your dog and ask them to "speak" or whatever word you choose. When they do, reward them.

Now, teach them to "hush". Ask the dog to speak and entice them to keep "speaking". When they do mildly shout "Hush". As soon as they do (immediately) reward them. Practice "hush" dozens of times always rewarded with a goodie.

Do not practice real life until you have had several dozen or hundred, successful practices. After a dog hushes in real life situations, quickly take them away from the challenging situation after they positively respond to your command and reward with a treat or a walk etc.

Teaching Your Dog to Sit and Other Basic Skills

learning to do things like sit, stay, lay etc are training issues which I help my clients with, however, there is a difference between training issues and behavior issues. Nonetheless, many pet owners are frustrated by the difficulty that can accompany simple tasks like "learning to sit".

Mary had a small poodle mix that would not stay still long enough to sit and get rewarded. Mary would say "sit", and then again "sit' and a few seconds later "sit. In fact she would say sit, sit, sit over and over to no avail.

When I arrived at the house the first thing we did was to go for a walk and a short run. We came back and had a "free" treat. I took Greta into the living room and let her smell the treat in my hands. She kept jumping and twisting in excitement for the treat. I did not issue any command until she settled down a little bit-apparently losing hope in her ability to jump high enough-as she became confused as to how to get the treat. When she seemed to look at me for a split second I said "sit", one time, and waited. I waited 20 seconds and then she sat just long enough for me to give her a treat.

Great learned to sit within 15 minutes. Only gve a command once and then wait 10, 20, even 40 seconds for the desired behavior to occur. Give the command at a lull, not in the hype of the moment. reward immediately when the behavior occurs or "almost occurs".

More On Getting Your Dog To Pay Attention

Some people have asked me what to do when they tell their dog to "watch me" and hold a treat to their forehead. What happens sometimes, is that the dog will take his eyes off of you as you move the treat away from your face. This is easily remedied.


Using a clicker (preferred method, but not necessary) slowly move the treat away from your face and then wait for the dog to look back at you as if to say "what's going on". At that precise moment use the clicker or reward with the treat. The dog needs to learn that it is when "looking you in the eyes" that he/she is rewarded. Reward instantly when the dog makes eye contact!