Liberty K9 Training Philosophy

There are many different opinions on dog training and twice as many dog trainers. How then does the novice dog handler know what to do, what to believe and what to expect? I, in no way, am going to say that I have all the answers or the best way to train all dogs. What I do believe I have is a simple, time-tested philosophy to apply in training all dogs. This is also a way of training that I have only scratched the surface on. It is so much more than teaching a dog a command to do something. It is a journey on trying to communicate with our faithful companions. It's a way of thinking that applies to every aspect of dog training - and our lives.


Picture this: You and your dog somehow get stranded out in the wilderness. Small hope that you could ever get out, and even smaller hope of anyone finding you. It is just you and your dog. You and your dog are trying to survive in the wilds. The first thing that would happen is that it would be very real to you. Everything you did would have a purpose. Not only would you be speaking from your voice, you would be speaking from your heart. Your dog would know this without a doubt. If some kind of animal attacked you - both of you would fight to protect the other. If you were just walking somewhere - both of you would be tuned into each other. Walking as a team. The pain in your stomach would make hunting for food real. You would not have to give your dog a treat to be like this. Nor would you have to throw his favorite toy/ball to get him to protect you. Doing so would seem utterly foolish to you. Everything would have purpose.

So much of dog training today is done completely opposite of this. Dogs are bribed through their stomach or forced through their skin. The dog knows no real sense of purpose, it feels none from you. During training, your mind is on other things not related to the task at hand. Instead of a team - you are seperate.

The handler must give his full attention to his dog when doing any type of training. Your dog will know if you are or aren't.

You must have a seriousness of purpose. Each exercise must be a progressive step towards better, complete communication. You cannot force it nor ignore it. You must have patience - quick tempers and anger never go hand-in-hand in dog training. Always be quick to look for faults in yourself - for they are there. Your dog knows them and he still loves you. You must first acknowledge them, then correct them. This is what's so great about this type of training. It is a wonderful walk of self-discovery - all along your loyal friend by your side. Enjoy your walk.