Many people have erroneous opinions about what the temperament of a personal protection dog looks like. Some see the protection dog as a vicious, unpredictable dog just looking to “eat” someone. Actually, the opposite is true. First, a protection dog is confident. (Yes, we are aware of low-level trainers who say that a nervous dog… Read more »
Category: Working Dogs
Why a Personal Protection Dog?
Protection dogs use their keen sense of smell, acute hearing, and (it seems in many cases) a sixth sense of intuition, to keep their owners safe 24/7/365. Nothing else compares! As good as other means of personal protection are, they are limited: Protection dogs give the widest path of warning and therefore give the… Read more »
The Fast-Growing Dog Trainer Job Market
For those who love canines, becoming a dog trainer may seem like fulfilling a lifelong dream: spending all day with the creatures they love while also providing a valuable service to both the animal and its owner. But like with any potential profession, prospective dog handlers may wonder what their job prospects are like. There’s… Read more »
How to Live with a Working Dog
So, you have decided or may be deciding to get a working dog. If you’re ready for it, this is one of the smartest decisions you’ll ever make. If you’re not ready for it, it can be one of the most frustrating things you’ve ever done. Let us give you some words of tried/true wisdom!… Read more »
The Importance of Human Leadership with a Dog
Nothing about dog training is automatic. Some people are of the mistaken mindset that domestic dogs can simply perform as we want them to without any responsibility or direction on our part. This mindset is a farce! A dog’s behavior is nearly always a reflection of his human. If the human permits sloppiness in the… Read more »
German Shepherd Temperament
After earnestly working/breeding/training German Shepherds for at least 30 years, Max von Stephantitz wrote, “I cannot remember a single shepherd dog who was not in love with children.” That is a far cry from where the breed is in America today. Unfortunately, many GSDs cannot be trusted around children. The reasons for this are numerous… Read more »
A Balanced Approach to Dog Training
Here at Conifer Canine, we utilize a balanced approach to dog training. Balanced dog training means that the trainer/s uses both reward and correction. In dog training theory, we would say that the trainer uses both positive reinforcement and positive punishment. A balanced approach is not only the most effective in dealing with most dogs,… Read more »
4 Facts About Scent Detection Dogs
A dog’s sense of smell is like no other. Dogs are widely used for scent detection work around the globe because they are reliable, versatile and cost efficient. Scent detection dogs are used in a variety of different industries and dogs trained to detect explosives are now the largest group of working scent-detection dogs in… Read more »
Service Dog Gear: The Equipment and Supplies You Need for Training
Service dogs help individuals with disabilities perform their day to day activities. Their tasks include those that provide physical, psychiatric, sensory, or intellectual assistance to those who need it. If you are working closely with a service dog, here are some of the equipment pieces that are recommended to use to help with training. Add… Read more »
