Professional Dog Trainer Hopeful "Marley & Me" will Spotlight Training Issues
By Gail Kulur
Professional dog trainer Gail Kulur endorses the upcoming movie as a wonderful testament to a family’s unconditional lifelong commitment to their dog – no matter what. Kulur, whose family includes two highly driven Terriers (a Soft Coated Wheaten and a Yorkie) an Akbash Dog and two cats, believes that the movie also highlights the need for families to work with effective professional trainers to eliminate behavior problems.
Gail Kulur of Make Sit Happen, LLC. Dog Obedience training in Hillsborough, New Jersey, believes the movie Marley & Me is a great opportunity to promote balanced training for all dogs, and especially the Labrador Retriever. The movie is based on the bestselling book by John Grogan. It celebrates Marley, an energetic, endearing Labrador Retriever, whose out-of-control behaviors create problems for his family.
In spite of the Labrador Retriever’s image as a favorite family dog, high energy dogs with behavior issues like Marley’s can (and do) end up in shelters or rescue foster homes because their owners do not know how to manage them. Working with trainers who understand highly driven dogs and focus on results-based training, can empower families to manage and enjoy their dogs’ appropriate behaviors throughout their lives together.
Among her suggestions for training and management of high energy family dogs, Kulur advocates:
Research Dog Breeds and Believe that Behavior Follows Genetics – A Labrador Retriever is going to have higher maintenance requirements than a Pomeranian; yet the Pomeranian has needs that are uniquely its own. A dog cannot modify its DNA simply because its human wishes it were something other than what it was created to be.
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise – This suggestion follows closely behind breed research. It is not enough to provide highly driven dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers, with chew toys in a crate, or merely go for a walk around the block in the evening. Kulur’s Terriers and Akbash dog need mental and physical exercises. The dogs train and exercise with her at Dog Days Day Care between the classes she teaches, and they have free time to play, daily, in a dog-friendly area at home. They are also put through their paces at home, to continue to exercise their minds and prevent boredom!
Require Calm Behavior through Training – By requiring dogs (even puppies!) to sit at gates and doorways, sit before petting, and to wait for food or retrieving games, owners can inspire calm behavior. Requiring dogs to spend time in a specified area, which Kulur identifies as the dog’s “go to place,” conditions them to feeling calm, rather than aroused, indoors. Crating prevents dogs from being destructive when owners are not at home and crate training is useful in housetraining. Teaching a highly driven, well-exercised dog to “turn it off” should not be confused with eliminating the drive altogether, Kulur cautions. A dog that is chronically frustrated by pent up energy cannot turn it off.
Make Training a Commitment Before Acquiring a Dog – Kulur acknowledges that sometimes families find dogs – or dogs find families – unexpectedly. But if possible, people should research training options in advance of adopting or purchasing a dog. In the process of establishing a relationship with a trainer, owners can gain important insights into the life-changing choices they are about to make. She can help determine the right breed for you and your families lifestyle – ahead of time!
Choose an Effective Trainer – There are a lot of trainers out there! Some trainers emphasize methods, while others emphasize results. It is not enough to work on behaviors if people cannot elicit appropriate behaviors from their dogs. Each family must consider its real-world life style and choose a professional trainer whose program can help in achieving results necessary to create a life-long reciprocally enjoyable relationship. Gail is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.
CONTACT FOR MAKE SIT HAPPEN, LLC:
Gail Kulur, Owner/Trainer
Phone: 908-507-5302
Email: [email protected]
Internet site: www.MakeSitHappen.com
MAKE SIT HAPPEN, LLC has been serving people in Hillsborough and surrounding towns for over 10+ years. Trainer Gail Kulur uses effective, results-based training to connect people to their dogs. Beyond the art and science surrounding her training programs are thousands of enhanced relationships between busy people and their dogs. Gail Kulur is an Evaluator for Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs and also an Evaluator for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen program. She also volunteers as a trainer for Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue. Gail also worked with Labrador Retriever Rescue for eight years from 1987 to 1995. ‘Make Sit Happen, LLC’ offers classes from Puppy Socials, Basic Obedience, Fun with Agility, Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog Certification as well as private, in-home training for behavior modification. Seminars on dog bite prevention as well as other informational classes are also available!
Gail Kulur
Make Sit Happen, LLC.
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Dog obedience classes for families & their dogs!
908-359-9228
[email protected]
www.MakeSitHappen.com
Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dog Evaluator
The BEST food for your pets: www.healthypetnet.com/makesithappen