reading

HIDDEN SECRETS BEHIND

DOG TRAINING

A Game-Changer

in Dog Psychology

www.DogSecrets.com

Master Trainer and

Dog Psychologist

Kevin

“The Dog Prodigy”

Published by

10 Star Publishing,

Lincoln California

ISBN 978-0-9716480-1-2

by Kevin Salem

All content in this eBook is copyrighted. Absolutely no portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, photocopying, recording, scanning, via the Internet, or by any information storage or retrieval system now known or to be invented, without the written prior permission of the author and the publisher—except for personal use and the inclusion of brief quotations in reviews or articles.

Notice to the Reader

Think about this: No matter how well you think you know someone, haven’t there been times when you wondered if you really knew them at all?

Now, if we cannot always predict much in human behavior, what makes you think anybody can do so when it comes to our dogs? Here’s the cold hard fact: Every dog comes with his own set of strengths and weaknesses. To be precise, there will never be another dog like the one you own right now, and there will never be another dog like those you’ve had in the past. They truly all have a mind of their own.

Consider your dog’s age, size, breed, physical strength, speed, temperament, previous experiences, day-to-day exposures, as well as your own attitude, lifestyle, physical limitations, training technique and overall expectations; only then you’ll know there is just NO WAY any expert, no matter how qualified or experienced they may be, can guarantee how your dog will behave or react in any given time.

Therefore, the publisher, the author, other dog professionals, and those who recommend this book, including but not limited to: dog trainers, dog training schools, veterinarians, animal hospitals, animal behaviorists, vet technicians, nurses, front desk receptionists, dog behavior specialists, canine consultants, dog behaviorists, dog psychologists, rescue organizations, no kill shelters, the ASPCA, breeders, doggie daycares, pet-sitters, dog walkers, dog groomers, dog communicators, pet shops, on-line pet stores, kennels, and any dog-related websites, web blogs, chat lines, and people who have hyper-linked to our website(s), along with ANY dog-related or non dog-related publications who have mentioned or recommended this book, shall NOT BE HELD LIABLE for any of the advice and information presented within.

Kevin Salem does not warrant or assume legal liability for the accuracy or usefulness of any information, apparatus, products or process disclosed. The author and 10 Star Publishing will not be held liable for damages arising from the use of (the enclosed) information and advice, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, punitive and consequential damages, before, during or after any training session with your dog(s), presented herein. This also includes tips to seeking another professional based on this book’s recommendation. You must accept that you do so strictly in accordance with your own liability and that you accept any consequences with no liability to the author and the publisher. The information presented here is solely for educational purposes, entertainment and the encouragement of using your own common sense and reasonable expectations.

Now that we’ve got all the legal jargon out of the way, let’s move on to the dogs.

SMART DOGS—
DUMB TRAINERS

Just about every dog book, dog magazine, and thousands of dog-related websites preach that:

• Never ever say "NO" to your dog.

• Don’t you dare correct him for anything. Ever!

• If, you choose to reprimand him—completely leave out his name.

• Starve him first, and then give him treats left and right so he listens better.

• Distract or even worse, IGNORE him when he misbehaves, and wait and wait, until you catch him doing something good on his own. Then praise him lavishly. (WOW. That sure makes a lot of sense.)

YEAY!!!!

Now Who's With Me???

Folks, Try That Waiting Game and You Are Going to Wait a

Realllllllyyyyyyyyy Loooooooong Tiiiiiiiime

before your doggie makes you proud on its own. Besides, do your kids play less video games on their own, text or tweet less on their own, clean up after themselves on their own, or behave politely on their own? How about you? Do your good habits come to you naturally or do the bad ones? Then how can you expect any different from an animal? Now, if that makes sense to you, I'll save you time and tell you that you are reading the wrong book.

Here's How You've Been Skillfully Brainwashed: You probably have already read a few books or tried an eight-week "pure positive” training class. What's worse, the trainer looked you in the eye and promised that your dog WILL eventually listen to you anywhere, anytime, and WITHOUT any treats. (It's only eight weeks and hey, it’s even scientifically proven.)

Fast forward to today: Your dog graduated and got his doggie diploma from that class. Now be honest! Does he obey all the commands perfectly without those yummy treats? How about around other dogs, cats or your visitors? After all, it's unrealistic to expect you to carry mouth-watering treats with you for the rest of your life.

Hmm.. now don't get mad. Sit down. Take a deep breath and look at that cheesy diploma again.

Here's What I Don't Get:

How Can Something that is Backed by "Science," Go So Wrong???

I wrote this book…

To Open Your Eyes

To Open Your Mind

To Motivate You

To Challenge You

To Make You Smile

To Make You Laugh

To Make You Think

and, Most Important of all, to Help You Succeed with Your Dog!

-The Dog Prodigy

Dedication

I dedicate this book to all true dog lovers around the world.

My dedication especially goes to those who volunteer at shelters, the ASPCA, veterinarian clinics, foster homes and all nonprofit organizations making a difference in the everyday lives of dogs. These dogs may come with cold noses, but they make up for it with their warm hearts and their unconditional love I and all the doggies thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We all die.

The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.”

--Chuck Palahniuk

Why "This" Book???

Unlike other books on the subject, this one goes much deeper by covering six elements. You’ll learn about:

1. Yourself—Your thoughts and overall perception about dogs in general.

2. Your Dog—Why your dog does what it does/doesn’t do in various scenarios.

3. Your Technique—Unravel the strengths and weaknesses of all methods.

4. Your Training Tools—Find out which training tools work and which do not.

5. Your Trainer—The trainer’s method, expertise, expectation and limitations.

6. The Dog Training Industry—Recognize its serious flaws and how to use the system to your advantage.

Table of Secrets

Preface

Turning a Childhood Tragedy into Triumph.

We all have a story, a reason, or a cause behind what we do. I believe: You need to have the brains, the heart, or at the very least, the drive to succeed in life. And sometimes, all it takes a heart-wrenching experience, a feeling, or the joy you get by making a difference in your line of work.

Introduction

Exposing How the Dog Training Industry Manages to Brainwash Millions of You Worldwide.

It took over ten years of hard work, intense research, and studying thousands of cases to write this book. My mission: to find the real cause why dogs didn’t thrive to their fullest potential. I was shocked to find that the reason had very little to do with the dogs' age, breed, size, intelligence, history, or even personality, but had everything to do with the “human element”.

Chapter 1

10 Biggest Dog Training Lies that Even "Trainers" Believe!

It’s time to separate the myths from the facts. Just by exposing these biggest lies, you'll cut down on your training and skyrocket your results. Think about it. If the MAJORITY of the experts are making these mistakes, what are the chances that you’ve been on the right track all along?

Chapter 2

Get Your Black Belt in Dog Psychology.

(Well, Just About!)

This is the closest you’ll ever get to hearing your dog’s thoughts as you communicate with him. Simply put, you’ll see things from your dog’s perspective. To the best of my knowledge, no other book on dog psychology or canine behavior has revealed this valuable information with such detail.

Chapter 3

Spoiled Dog Test.

You Will NEVER Get Far with a Spoiled Dog. Unless…

Any reasonable expert would agree that spoiled dogs are known to manipulate, ignore, and often become very bossy. Some go as far as turning on other dogs, people or even their masters. Create that balance. So you can enjoy a spoiled AND a well-mannered dog.

Chapter 4

Biggest Scam in Modern Dog Training…

Using Treats + Extreme Spoiling = A Half Trained Dog

Contrary to popular belief, relying heavily on treats gets you quick, but short-lived results. Not thousands, but millions around the world have fallen for this theory. Would you rather train your dog by your praise, leadership, technique and psychology or bribe it nonstop with cheese, hot dogs, bacon strips and beef jerky? Which is rational, practical and natural?

Chapter 5

Solid Proof that Your Dog Has “YOU” on a Leash!

So Who is Really Running the Show?

Funny and thought-provoking examples of how dogs are running the show without poor owners even realizing. Is your doggie taking advantage of your weak leadership or, ahem… your sweetness? Don’t just prove it to us—prove it to yourself that your dog isn’t as bad!

Chapter 6

99% Sweet - 1% Vicious!

What All Owners AND Trainers Fear the Most

These dogs are "the worst of the worst." Even experts refer to them as the “red zone” dogs. Learn how to accurately read their warning signs like a true pro, before it's too late. Be one step ahead by detecting the red flags with your dog or ANY dog. It’s smart to be safe now rather than sorry later.

Chapter 7

All the Logical and Emotional Reasons Why Your Dog Misbehaves Around Other Dogs!

Find the real cause behind why your dog barks, growls, lunges, whimpers, shies away, gets excited, overprotective or is dying to take a chunk out of the other dog. Is it your demeanor, technique, training tool, a negative experience from the past, the other dog, or a mixture of all?

Chapter 8

What Every Veterinarian Wants You to Master.

Prepared Owners + Polite Dogs = Happy Outcome.

It’s time to put others to shame, or at the very least, make them jealous by having the most well-mannered dog in the hospital. Whether your pooch gets scared, unruly, excited, or aggressive with the vet, applying these tips will make all the difference. Best of all, you can start putting them to work as soon as TODAY.

Chapter 9

20 Reasons Why Most Dogs Just Don't Listen.

(When it REALLY Matters, Your Dog Flat Out Ignores You!)

I’ve left no stone unturned in revealing all the reasons why dogs don’t obey their owners. Let’s face it; many of you struggle when you find yourself around other dogs, cats, visitors, or when your dog’s off-leash. How about when your dog doesn’t care for treats or you run out of them?

Chapter 10

Mind-over-Muscle Secrets that Go Beyond Commands.

(Dog Psychology + Dog Obedience)

These mind-over-muscle secrets take you far beyond the obedience component. Contrary to popular belief, even fully-trained dogs lack “manners”! Whether you own a puppy or an adult dog, passive or dominant, gentle or aggressive, you’ll find these tips extremely effective.

Chapter 11

When to Doubt Your Trainer or “Current” Method.

What makes one method better than another? If your training philosophy does not consist of these seven principles, you are most likely wasting your time, wasting your money, and jeopardizing your dog’s true potential.

Chapter 12

Your Unrealistic Expectations or As I Say:

I’m Good… NOT God!

There is only so much you can expect from your dog, your trainer, your family and even from yourself. Are you being fair and realistic with your goals and expectations? This chapter takes out the guesswork on what is truly achievable and what isn’t.

Chapter 13

Smart Questions = Smart Outcome.

FACT: Your tool, your treats, your technique, and even a positive attitude can only take you so far. As a dog psychologist, I always get to the root cause. It is all about asking the right questions. Smart questions create smart discussions—that lead to smart “solutions”.

Chapter 14

Best and Worst Trainers Under Microscope.

10 Things You Never Knew About Dog Trainers.

Although many trainers hate me for writing this chapter, you’d be amazed how much YOU’LL learn from their success and failures. Have fun with this one and master how to really separate those amateurs from the pros!

Chapter 15

When to Throw in the Towel and Hire a Real Pro.

Searching for a Trainer Who Truly Matches Your Goals.

Not all dog experts are alike. Their professionalism, years of experience, expertise, training philosophy, and not to forget their attitude toward you and your dog all play a significant factor. Save your precious time and your bank account by becoming a smart shopper.

Chapter 16

Forget About Your Dog For a Moment.

Mind-boggling fact that will make you think twice before hiring or accepting even the experts’ advice and suggestions. A must-read for all dog owners who own a challenging dog.

Chapter 17

The Make-or-Break Factors…

Cracking the Code to Your Success or Failure.

It took me nearly two decades of collecting data from thousands of cases to unravel the main reasons why some beat the odds, while many struggle miserably. Let’s face it; people rarely “get lucky” with a well-mannered dog. If you gain anything from this book, I want it be from this chapter. It’s the icing on the cake!

Chapter 18

A Little About Me, My Services and My Trainer Apprenticeship.

Learn more about services that I offer. Whether you want to hire me for private consultations, seminars, join my federation, or become my apprentice, this chapter will explain how to go about it.

Chapter 19

Words of Doggie Wisdom.

What Dogs, Owners and Experiences Have Taught Me Throughout the Years.

Chapter 20

Your Final Reality Check.

Discover the list of things that you could face if you keep putting off your dog’s training/rehabilitation.

Bonus & Humor

Nametag Mistake Exposed, plus “How Many Dogs Does it Take to Change a Light bulb?”

Author’s Biography

Kevin Salem is considered to be one of the brightest minds in the world of dog training. It’s hard to paint his image with the same brush as other experts, as his "Diverse Method" and unique way of training and writing make him stand out...

Acknowledgments

I thank everyone who did and DID NOT believe in me, as you all truly inspired me to push myself to finish writing this book.

I would like to thank Mellisa Jo Peltier, co-author of Cesar Millan’s books and producer of The Dog Whisperer, for her words of support and encouragement. How can I forget Nicholas Sveslosky, editor-in-chief of Fido Friendly magazine…

Preface

Turning a Childhood Tragedy into Triumph.

When I was about twelve years old, we had a yellow Lab that my father named after the star of the TV show, “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.” Since my brothers were too young to pronounce or remember Tin Tin, we settled for Tan Tan instead. He truly was a very loving and loyal dog. Like most Labs, he was always happy, hyper and goofy as he could be.

We had to leave town for a few days. Since we couldn't take him, my dad asked one of our neighbors to watch him for us. The neighbor agreed that he and his kids would drop by to feed and check on our dog while we were away.

Just like any untrained dog, Tan Tan would act unruly every time our neighbor dropped by to feed him. He kept jumping all over him and his kids. This resulted in them getting dirty, muddy and scratched up. One day, he really got fed up with all this, grabbed our shovel, and slammed it across Tan Tan's head. This blow was so severe that it caused a hemorrhage in his brain.

When we arrived, we were surprised. None of us could hear Tan Tan’s usual happy yips and yelps. He was known to scratch and jump at our gate impatiently the minute he heard us nearby. My dad tried to push the gate open but noticed it was stuck. With a few more attempts, he finally managed to push it open only to find Tan Tan’s lifeless body pressed against our gate.

Poor dog wanted to see us so badly that he somehow managed to drag himself from the center of our yard to the gate, where he died waiting on us. I remember his paw prints in the snow... which halfway became sliding marks. We couldn't stop crying. Our loyal dog did whatever it took to drag his half-dead body just to see us one more time.

That was the first time I ever saw my dad cry. Another neighbor told us later how hard it was watching Tan Tan suffer. He witnessed him pacing back and forth, whimpering and howling day and night. They weren't sure whether his barking was due to being sad, or if he was in physical pain. They saw his dish full of food, just how we left it. Folks, our dog was slowly dying from pain and sorrow.

You can imagine how devastated we were. As a kid, it affected me in ways I never imagined. At first, I thought of our neighbor as an “evil, cold-blooded person.” I know now that he obviously got fed up with our dog constantly jumping on him and knocking down his kids.

And when I think about it today, the whole sad and senseless loss of a dear pet could have been avoided with a little training.

Man's Best Friend. Myth or Reality?

You've probably heard the saying, “Dog is a Man’s Best Friend” and I couldn’t agree more. After all, just look at how your dog greets you every day. Do any of your loved ones greet you like that? It is a happy, real, and genuine love that is impossible to fake. Ever since we lost Tan Tan in such a tragic manner, I developed a very strong love and devotion towards dogs. I found myself reading about dogs, rescuing them, volunteering in shelters, assisting dog schools, and fostering those in need of loving and responsible pet owners.

There are thousands of stories about dogs' unconditional love and loyalty. One that comes to mind is of a dog in China that refused to leave his owner’s grave for a week. When the locals noticed a dog kept vigil next to an unmarked grave, they felt bad and started bringing him a crate, water and food.

Another great tale is the story of Hachi. The owner of a loyal Akita took the train to work daily. Every day the dog would manage to get out of the yard, walk all the way to the train station, and wait until his owner returned. The family tried to keep him locked in the yard, but Hachi always found a way out.

One day, the dog sensed something and continued barking to keep his owner from leaving for work. Well, that also was the day Hachi’s owner died of a sudden heart attack. The family decided to sell the house and move to another city. The daughter of the family tried to adopt him, but Hachi always kept getting out and found his way to the train station, going to his favorite spot, waiting patiently for his owner’s return.

This went on for days, weeks, months and even years. Yes, folks. To be exact, it went on for ten long years. Here was a dog barely moving, old, stiff and living in the streets, but no matter what, he always made it to the train station hoping to see his owner somehow show up once again. Some of you already guessed what’s coming next; he died waiting in his favorite spot. Wow. If that is not loyalty, I don’t know what is.

Richard Gere gave an outstanding performance in the movie about Hachi. So did the dogs. You really see life from a dog’s point of view and the facial expressions of the dogs even caught me by surprise. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading the book yet. But if you want a good dog story, one that will have you choking up, a real tear jerker, hands down, this is one of them. (I have nothing against Marley, but this too was a true story, and far deeper.)

Now, I don’t advocate everyone buying or adopting an Akita. Just as I didn’t understand when everyone started buying Chihuahuas after that Taco Bell commercial aired, or Dalmations after the release of 101 Dalmations. Ironically, all three of these breeds are very difficult to manage and train—especially for those of you who happen to be first time dog owners.

I also fell in love with Jack London’s books. He truly related to dogs and understood them in a much deeper level. Part of the reason London described dogs and their loyalty so well is because, at one point in his life, he was homeless and literally lived with stray dogs on the streets and under bridges.

Trust me; it would be impossible to describe the love of dogs and their loyalty in such great detail without being involved with them on a personal level. You always can spot a true dog lover. That is how I felt as I read Jack London’s books—as if I were in the company of another individual who understands and agrees that dogs truly are a man's best friend.

More Heart-breaking Experiences that Changed Me:

Have you ever found yourself in a shelter full of caged-up dogs that have less than twenty-four hours to live? Have you had them lick your fingers through the fence, look you in the eye, and keep on barking, howling, panting, whimpering and pacing back and forth? How about the ones that kept standing on their hind legs begging you to rescue them?

Did the ones in the back, all curled up with no sense of hope, get your attention? Maybe it wasn’t their personality to be loud, persistent or as hyper as the other dogs. Or maybe they totally gave up trying. Some of them just hoped that you might, just might actually notice them more if they were calm, quiet and steady.

Fifty to eighty percent of ALL dogs are being killed in shelters. Think about that. Fifty to eighty percent!!! I’ll bet most of you didn’t know it. If those dogs show ANY signs of growling, lunging, or even an innocent curled lip, they are automatically killed. No question about it. If you don’t believe me, please ask anyone who works or volunteers in shelters. The bigger the city, the more dogs they receive.

A few of these dogs are truly wonderful animals that get kennel cough or a runny nose by being exposed to concrete floors and to other dogs. Some have been badly attacked and have the bruises and scars to prove it. But due to the shelter’s low budget, they too rarely get adopted and are automatically killed. There are dogs that have been used as bait for a pit bull fight ring. These dogs are all chewed up, and often too deformed to be saved or re-homed.

About half of the dogs, after staying a few days in the same pen, start acting a bit protective when you stand close to their kennel. Ask anyone who rescues dogs. Almost all dogs do this in their rescue homes or in backyards. Again, any sign of aggression or protectiveness is NOT tolerated. They are automatically put on death row. These dogs learn to fight over food or flat out refuse to eat for days.

Now, I’ll draw a picture of what these dogs are going through the moment they are to be put down. (Keep in mind, the timeline they get is usually only three days.)

What are the thoughts crossing their minds when you put them on leash and take them out of their kennel? You see their face lit up with joy as they immediately start to pull in front of you in excitement, whimpering, and wagging their tail. Some even lick your hands; they are so happy, thanking you for waking them up from their nightmare.

Again, words cannot do justice, but as another dog lover, I’ll do my best to express their thoughts and feelings. These hopeful dogs are thinking:

Finally, someone who wants to adopt me.

Wow! They are taking me for a walk or to play.

I really hope they move me to a much bigger, cleaner and quieter kennel with a real comfortable bed. Or,

I knew my owners would come back for me. They always manage to find me. I just knew it.

And when it’s finally time: They get close to that room, the chamber of death, the execution room, almost every one of them put on the brakes and fight going in. You feel a twitch and a sudden pause. It’s something you can never get over.

As if they can smell death and sense this is the end. Some pull back, whine, shiver, bark, scream and even defecate and urinate. The noise they make is a different kind of scream. It is a scream and howl that truly melts your heart.

Some, as they are held down to make sure they don’t fight back, keep wagging their tails and licking your hands. They’re probably thinking they are getting a hug. Something they really need and miss. It is instead clearly a restraint, to ensure that the needle doesn’t miss the vein.

Sadly, not all of these dogs die instantly. They fight, bite, growl and sometimes even break the needle. Yes, folks, it is not always a cozy room with gas as some of you might have imagined.

Why do I tell you all this? Why do I have to be so graphic? Because it’s the truth. So before you wish to give up on your dog, think twice and get rid of the problem. This is a sad reality of shelters that due to low budget, lack of space, and the overpopulation of dogs, they have no choice but to operate this way.

It doesn’t matter whether these dogs were strays, mixed, purebred or surrendered with a long list of great qualities, most will never make it out of the shelter. And if it is a black dog or a dog with a strong personality (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman, or any type of Bull Dog), you killed it the moment you filled out the surrender form in the shelter.

Trust me; people rarely take a chance on those dogs. Their appearance, their reputation, and their size are enough to make most of us think twice.

And then there are the unfortunate black dogs: Black dogs, black cats, and even black rabbits rarely are adopted out. People just don’t see them or care for them. (Again, please understand these are not my opinions or beliefs, I am just stating the facts.) If you still doubt this, be my guest and research, “black dog syndrome.”

You are most likely a dog owner if you are reading this. So I am hoping you are fully dedicated to your dog and if it is a rescue dog that you own, know what that poor dog went through before he/she ended up in your care.

Folks, I've witnessed all of this and far worse when I was volunteering in shelters. It pains me just to think of this harsh reality; let alone having to go through the whole experience of it. Even tough-hearted people find themselves tearing up.

Many of you may find this hard to grasp, but in Sacramento alone, if you count all shelters, the ASPCA, and all the pet clinics, there are at least one hundred dogs being put down on a daily basis. You read it correctly—one hundred PER DAY! And if you took a closer look at their files, you couldn't help but notice that in most cases, the poor dogs were rarely at fault. In fact, they all ended up on death row because of their owners’ ignorance, poor judgment, following the wrong training method, or giving up too soon. Many ended up there because of a weak economy and the mortgage crisis.

Did you know that if you take a pregnant dog to a shelter, it could get euthanized due to lack of space or lack of volunteers?

That was another shocking reality too hard for me to accept or even to wrap my mind around. You’re probably wondering, “How can they be so cruel?" Or, "Aren’t they supposed to all be dog lovers?” Folks, being a dog lover has very little to do with it.

As I mentioned earlier, this is because there is no time or staff to take care of a pregnant dog, let alone raise those harmless cute puppies. This is the harsh reality that millions of dogs face every day, and it’s happening not only throughout the U.S, but all around the world.

I was raised in a culture that men don’t cry, but I fight my tears whenever I witness these dogs on death row. If I could, I would take every one of them home with me and give them the love, attention, and proper training that they all need and deserve. About seventy percent of the reasons why these dogs end up in these situations is because of the owners’ lack of commitment, poor judgment, ineffective training method, and, of course, failing to spay and neuter their dogs in a timely manner. As you can see-

It is NOT about the money or fame for me...

It is and has always been about the dogs!

When some people lose a loved one in a tragic manner, or if they have been a victim themselves, they often get involved in that particular field to make a difference. These individuals, whose lives have been touched or even scarred, make a difference on a much deeper level. It is because they have their heart and soul in it. They build new organizations, pass new laws, and donate their time, resources, and even money because it gives them joy and helps them heal.

A great example of this is John Walsh, the host of the TV show, “America’s Most Wanted.” After a child predator took his son from him, John and his wife made it their personal mission to catch bad guys. If one of those predators hadn’t taken his own flesh and blood, do you honestly think he would be as passionate and hard-working as he is today in catching these criminals? I seriously doubt it. Another good example is Nancy Grace. If she didn't lose her fiancé in such a tragic manner, she wouldn’t be the crusader that she is today. And perhaps both probably wouldn’t even have their own TV show.

In retrospect, my passion for training and understanding dogs and people is no different than John and Nancy’s passion for catching and prosecuting criminals.

My path, my talent and my gift is to teach you how to understand, communicate and train your dog the best way possible. Most importantly, my goal is to help you get there by being loving and by being diverse!

This simply means: Don’t abuse your dog, don’t limit your options and no matter what, don’t give up. But as ambitious, tireless and determined as I am, I get the fact that it is impossible to help every dog owner or dog trainer out there. So I’m hoping that perhaps this book can make a lasting impact on the lives of many more of “Man’s Best Friends” for years to come.

Many ask me why or how I got into this field. Don’t I get tired of it or sick of it all? The answer is always the same: “Sure, you get tired even if you do what you deeply love. But it’s also the love, the passion, and the desire that make it worthwhile.”

Now you know. My inspiration comes mostly from the love I have for all dogs, and I do mean ALL dogs. I don’t care whether you own a mixed dog or a pedigree, big or tiny, bully or wussy, fearful or aggressive—they all deserve an honest chance and they all need our love and guidance.

If everything happens for a reason, then I guess I had to lose my childhood dog in a tragic manner in order to save thousands today and hopefully millions in my lifetime.

Introduction

How the Dog Training Industry Manages to Brainwash Millions of Dog Owners Worldwide.

The information that you are about to read in this book will come as a shock to most of you. In fact, it contradicts everything you've ever read, tried, or believed when it comes to your dog, his mindset, and exactly HOW you’ve been training him.

For the first time in history, you will get a rare glimpse into what dog training and canine behavior is really all about. In other words, if “dog psychology” came in a Pandora’s Box, this book will crack it wide open.

Question: With so many different training methods out there, how do you truly know which works the best, the fastest, and considered to be the most effective way to train your dog, or ANY dog?

Answer: Your training approach needs to be logical, practical, versatile, fair, and easy to follow for you and your dog.

Welcome to the next level and the future of dog training—“The Diverse Method.” This is the first book of its kind that will give you a new perspective on dog trainers, their philosophy, and how this impacts you and your dog in the long run.

Did you know that there are more than four hundred breeds of dogs in the world? That’s right. Four hundred! Now, how can they all respond to one training method or one tool? Think about it. There are big dogs, small dogs, hyper dogs, mellow dogs, bully dogs, wussy dogs, stubborn dogs, sensitive dogs, overprotective dogs and gentle dogs. Don’t forget loud dogs, quiet dogs, strong dogs, sneaky dogs, vicious dogs, sweet dogs, unpredictable to unreliable dogs. We also have dogs that are food-driven, toy-driven, praise-driven, or NOT driven at all.

I’ll ask you again: How can all these different personalities respond to only one way of training or one training tool? Can they all be trained or tamed with the use of treats, spray bottle, a harness, choke chain, pinch collar, clicker, head halter or even a shock collar?

Here’s the Harsh Reality: Most experts argue that you can train or rehabilitate ANY dog, regardless of the temperament, by either positive or negative reinforcement! But it’s this assumption that also indicates the poor judgment, little experience, and lack of diversity of that trainer.

Folks, the secret is to follow a “Diverse Reinforcement”! Just like people, dogs never respond to strictly positive or negative approach. Now, here’s where it gets more interesting

Most Trainers Know This, But...

Only a Very Few Choose to Teach or Practice it.

It took more than a decade to write this book. I was always fascinated by all the reasons why dogs didn’t thrive to their fullest potential. My intense research in studying thousands of cases from various backgrounds was definitely enough to raise a few eyebrows: A dog’s command response or behavior pattern had very little to do with the dog’s age, intelligence, past history, or even the breed—but had everything to do with the “human element.”

You are not going to be safe, smart, or effective if you stubbornly rely on just one way of training as a crutch. The key to greatness is to master different training techniques.

I was shocked to find how dog owners and even trainers from all around the globe have been brainwashed. All these factors affected people’s beliefs, attitude, technique, sense of hope, determination, and, ultimately, the level of success they hoped to achieve with their dogs.

You see, the key to success is to be open-minded and versatile. It’s a known fact that once you are diverse in your training, your dog’s age, size, speed, physical strength, temperament, history, or even the level of his aggression won’t matter much. You are guaranteed to see a transformation against all odds.

Despite so many sources available today, you’ll be furious to learn how skillfully you've been misled. Get ready. You are about to read the most controversial book about dogs and the owners’ mindset and beliefs ever published. You’ll soon know why the dog training industry is threatened by this book and trying to silence my message.

After reading over two hundred books, manuals, e books, to even thick college textbooks on canine behavior, dog psychology and breed characteristics, I was very disappointed to find that only a small percentage of training schools and dog books were considered to be the “real deal.” What amazed me were the major flaws in their teaching philosophies. Most of their suggestions for certain problems were just irrational, impractical and ridiculous. To make matters even worse, their method was poorly planned and difficult to understand for the owners and the dogs.

After all, anybody can make something seem easy on paper, but putting it into actual use takes skill, talent, and years of experience. Many of these so-called experts missed two key elements: Practicality and being able to adapt to ANY dog! The major misconception is simply their “one-method-fits-all” mentality. Strangely enough, most couldn't get to the root cause of a problem. Take this example:

Doctors vs. Dog Trainers!

Let’s say you’ve made a few trips to your doctor about an ongoing back pain. Now, if you have a smart and caring physician, he/she won’t just settle by sending you home with a variety of painkillers.

Wouldn’t you want to find the real cause of your pain? After all, your body is trying to tell you that something’s wrong. What exactly could be causing this nagging pain? Did you fall, gain some weight, have a car accident or perhaps lift something heavy? How about your mattress, your bed or the lack of exercise? Did you get a new job that requires you to sit all day, stand all day or move heavy objects? Could it be a ruptured disc, a pinched nerve, muscle tension, or perhaps you might have triggered an old injury?

Sadly, we all know that the majority of doctors never bother to ask you any of these questions. And the greater your pain and the longer you’ve had it, the more they’ll experiment on you with strong drugs. As if your back pain was due to lack of Advil, Motrin or Tylenol. Hey, it must be from a Vicodin deficiency. After you’ve been sitting and waiting in that cold room half naked, the doctor presses down on your back a few more times and tells you, “Here you go. Get dressed and try this new drug that just came out.”

So what is my point, you ask? Unfortunately, ignoring the root cause of a problem is also extremely common among canine professionals. What makes it worse is just about all of them rely on one method and one training tool to get results. Bottom line, they rarely lay out a plan designed for that specific dog and that specific owner!

Here’s another example: Most of you have been told to always carry treats with you whenever you train your dog. Some trainers even suggest that you spread them all around your house so you are never caught off-guard. Be honest. Do you honestly consider that kind of logic as solid advice?

I’ve exposed all the flaws behind using treats in many chapters of this book. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that these days just about every trainer relies heavily on the use of food. What you don’t know is this approach only gets you quick, but short-lived results. Ironically, using treats has become so popular in recent years that poor dog owners hardly even dare to question or challenge it.

And it only gets worse: The majority of dog trainers say that you should completely ignore your dog’s bad behavior and only want you to focus on the positive. Hmm…focusing on the positive, huh? (Like when your dog’s taking a nap?)

Let’s get something straight. Didn’t you go to an expert to solve your dog’s bad behavior? Who hires a trainer and says: By the way, we are doing great. We just wanted to hear it from YOU! That’s like telling a woman in an abusive relationship to only focus on the positive.

Here, honey. Sit down for a minute. Let’s focus on the positive:

1. He only beat you senseless. I mean, he could’ve killed you. But he didn’t!

2. He apologized fifty times so far.

3. He admitted that it was his bad temper that took over.

4. He kept apologizing, bawling his eyes out that it will never happen again.

Is that the positive you really want to go on? A woman abused by a man who is supposed to be in love with her?

I also keep running into frustrated owners that have been taught to: yelp like a puppy, keep saying OUCH, keep spraying the dog with water or bitter apple, keep turning your back, keep popping that leash, and on and on and on.

Look, I’m a big fan of consistency. But ultimately, we must face the fact whether what we are doing is actually working. (None of the things that I just described is guaranteed to work on every dog and every owner. So I encourage you to always look for that voice of reason.) It’s just not fair to squeeze all dogs into one category. You’ll accomplish far more when you are flexible and improvise if and when necessary. How is this not common sense?

You want to be constructive, NOT destructive: A wise approach is to simply customize your method based on your dog’s temperament and your ultimate goals.

You’ll also master all the secrets that will help you read and modify your dog’s behavior. To take your knowledge and hands-on training a step further, I’ve revealed rare ways to find the trainer/expert most suited to your specific goals.

In a nutshell, you’ll know exactly why your dog acts and thinks a certain way in various situations. You’ll be able to read all the warning signs of an overprotective, dominant, or soon-to-be aggressive dog like a true pro. Rather than just putting a leash on your dog and having him obey commands like a soldier, you’ll discover the secrets of how to combine dog psychology with dog training very effectively.

I dare to hold up a mirror not only to dog owners, but also to trainers, behaviorists and dog psychologists around the globe to prove that diversity is the final answer.

I am now one hundred percent convinced that the main reason trainers and even top dog schools rarely accept challenging cases is because they are one-dimensional. (A one-trick pony is more like it.) That’s just it. They REFUSE to step outside their element and comfort zone to try something different, even if it meant saving a dog’s life. Any expert agrees that in order to be great, there will be times that you just have to think “outside the box.”

I promise you that once you are able to mix different methods, you’ll become invincible. It all boils down to this: When you limit your options, you limit your success. Topnotch trainers, just like the top musicians, top fighters, or top chefs, are known to improvise and rarely run out of tricks and ideas. Their goal is to never be caught off guard. I also have debunked many myths about dogs, dog training, canine psychology, and even the trainers with thought-provoking facts, humor and real-life examples.

You see, I believe that you are entitled to the truth. And frankly, not just my truth, but the essential truth behind the entire “dog training industry”! After all, only then can you decide what is real and what isn’t. What makes sense to you, and what is just plain nonsense.

Since your dog will go through different stages in his training and behavior patterns, you’ll get far more out of this book if you read it twice a year.

Every time you read it, you’ll notice something new that you might have missed or a new behavior that your dog didn’t show. Just as people change all the time, so can dogs. Like a great chess player, you want to be ahead of the game.

It is not just knowledge that is power, but it is the USE of our knowledge that makes us powerful. Otherwise knowledge, any knowledge, is just plain information. It is what we do with it that counts.

Read this book cover-to-cover before drawing your final conclusions. It is one of those books that will make you smile, make you laugh, make you think, and certainly challenge you to push yourself far beyond your leash or your bag of treats. Again, we need to look at everything. And I mean every aspect. And this holistic approach is what makes all the difference.

This book is filled with life lessons and my incredible journey with dogs of all breeds and temperaments. If you are the sensitive type, you may get a lump in your throat when you read about the heart-melting reality that millions of dogs face every day, not to forget my own childhood tragedy.

Over the years of writing this book, I’ve learned something new from every dog, every owner and every trainer. So in a way, this book has grown with me. My goal and my hope are for all dog owners and trainers around the world to revolutionize the way we train our dogs by the power of being “Diverse”!!!

Chapter 1

10 Biggest Dog Training Lies that Even "Trainers" Believe!

Just by correcting your most common mistakes and exposing these lies, you’ll put yourself in the top 1% of effective dog owners in the world. You may find this hard to believe, but the majority of dog trainers, dog schools, and many dog publications are being paid to mislead you.

Here's just one of their lies: Imagine how much money the dog treat companies are making by pushing the use of food in your training. After all, you've been brainwashed to use treats to make your dog sit, stay, heel, come or lie down. They also rely heavily on bribery for teaching tricks, agility, socialization, potty training, crate training, to get your dog to look at you, or even to let go of an object. As you can see, this lie alone has gone far beyond a typical 6-8 week training class. And folks, that's just the tip of the iceberg.

If you really want to cut down on your training time and see a significant difference in your dog's command response, stop following or believing these lies.

Biggest Lie #1:

Your Dog Was Born to “Please” You No Matter What.

TRUTH: It is actually the poor owners who are pleasing and spoiling their dogs. Think about this for a moment. If this myth were really true, you wouldn't be reading this right now. Sorry, but we rarely run into pleasing dogs. And here's how I'll…

Debunk This Myth Once and For All!

Let’s say your dog starts barking, lunging, growling, mouthing or jumping up on you or your guests. Does she quit with a simple “NO,” or do you find yourself telling her to stop over and over again? Hmm... she’s not pleasing you there, is she? Or how about when your dog is constantly charging at a cat, another dog, or maybe at the mailman? You yell out commands and even try to physically control him. Does he listen to you then? I’m guessing the answer is still NO.

Look, your dog isn’t dumb and sees your frustration! It is obvious from your shouting, your demeanor, and your desperate attempts to get him under control. He clearly senses that you are upset by his unruly behavior, yet he STILL flat out ignores you. Aha! Once again, you can’t call him a pleaser, can you?

If I asked some of your friends and relatives, I’m sure they would all would agree that your dog loves you dearly, but for crying out loud, let’s not confuse that with respect or compliance. (I could also fall in love with a hot stripper; but to actually respect her, might be a different story.)

Besides, if all dogs are truly pleasers, then why do we have so many dog training books, dog trainers, dog behaviorists and dog classes everywhere?

Think again, if this myth were really true, don’t you think that everybody would end up with a perfect angel with no bad manners whatsoever? No matter what the circumstances and regardless of how tempting the distraction, dogs would respond to their owners in a heartbeat and everybody would be singing kumbaya or hallelujah.

You’d see pet owners calling out each other, “Hey you guys, how’s Roscoe doing?” One would laugh and respond, “He’s such a pleaser, that one! And how’s little Daisy coming along?” You’d hear, “Man, we never even trained that stinker and she listens to us everywhere and every time. It’s unbelievable. In fact, we just nicknamed her Lassie.”

Take it from someone who does this for a living: The majority of dogs don't respond to make you proud or happy. (They do so because of a treat, a toy, praise, or to avoid some sort of consequence. Again, those are the facts!)

Biggest Lie #2:

Training Could Break Your Dog's Spirit or Ruin His Personality.

TRUTH: Abusing your leadership breaks the dog's spirit, not balanced, smart training! When you catch yourself or a trainer yelling, hitting or hanging your poor dog off his feet in order to make him submit or obey, you are definitely being abusive.

I doubt that everybodybabies