This is Alex...I inherited him when he was 10 1/2 years old. Since then, he has lost almost 15 pounds (!)
and gone from a "crabby old man" to a happy and energetic "elderly gentleman." He's been introduced to clicker training and
now knows about a dozen tricks. He finally considers himself a family member and he is really enjoying learning how to learn.
YES! You can teach an old dog new tricks! In spite of the fact that he had no real training during his first 10 years,
at age 12 Alex earned the AKC title of Canine Good Citizen (CGC)!!!
I began obedience training in 1976 at Kennelwood in St. Louis. My main training experience has
come from:
Golden Retriever Club of Greater St. Louis
Kansas City Golden Retriever Club
Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club
National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
Paws With A Cause
Seminars: I attend at least one obedience training seminar every year (since 1981). These seminars are
given by nationally known professional trainers from across the country. Past presenters include: Bob Self; Sharon Long; Dick
& Kay Guetzlof; Ian Dunbar; The Vollmers; Ruth Rosback; Tony Chandler (protection work); Nancy Patton; Bernie Brown; Judie
Howard; Terri Arnold; Janice DeMello; Dawn Jecs; 3 different seminars given by Gary Wilkes on clicker training; Carolyn Scott
(Freestyle); Dr. Wayne Hunthausen DVM (aggression in dogs).
I also had intensive training at the national headquarters of PAWS WITH A CAUSE to learn assistance dog work
in 1995. Additionally, I have taken field training, tracking, and agility instruction from some of the finest trainers in
Missouri and Kansas.
I subscribe to a number of obedience publications which offer myriad training ideas and problem solving techniques.
And both NADOI and APDT offer regular newsletters which address various training ideas/problems/solutions. I also subscribe
to an on-line training list that helps me remain updated on current techniques.
I listen to my students...I almost always learn something from them while they are learning from me!
