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As a trainer, behaviorist and
founder of Dogheart, I have successfully worked with more than
700 dogs and their families in the greater Ann Arbor area. By
learning effective handler skills and implementing a command structure,
families have been able to responsibly include their dogs in their
daily routines.
The men in my family always had a knack with
dogs. My brother Charlie has trained dogs for over thirty years.
Early on, he influenced my understanding of dogs as liaisons between
us and the natural world. I first learned from Charlie how to
line-train a dog for directional control when I was sixteen years
old. Since then, I have considered the environment of every dog
I've met. In doing so, I've been conflicted about the deeper factors
that affect a dog's ability to succeed in our human society.
The essential motivator for my life's work as
a trainer and behaviorist is the story that statistics tell about
the struggle for dogs to succeed in our society. The numbers of
homeless dogs, aggression incidents and the frequency of euthanasia
as a final solution for unwanted dogs is daunting and deeply disturbing.
My hope is that our work will not only support
our clientele, but also support the needs of the greater dog population
in America.
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Meet our pal, Patch
Patch, a Shepherd-Border Collie-Cattle dog mix, is nine
years old and no stranger to the Dogheart philosophy. She has
worked with John and the Dogheart crew since she was just nine
months old. Her training skills include: responsible “mothering,”
mentoring command structure and routines, socializing other dogs,
calming aggressive dogs and, as needed, companion “a la
mode.”
Patch is a living testimonial to the virtues of a well bred mutt
and reminds us that, given respect, obedience, interaction, nutrition
and exercise, any dog can be “Best in Show!”
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