For over 14 years, I have dedicated my career to teaching American dog owners the British approach to dog training. Throughout this time, I have been consistently amazed by their eagerness to compare their methods with ours, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and techniques.
Cultural Differences in Dog Training
The first adjustment I had to make was to the volume of American owners compared to their British counterparts. Their dog whistles often seemed as loud as trumpets to me, yet their enthusiasm was undeniable and infectious. In one memorable training seminar, I worked with around 20 handlers and their dogs, and I was pleased to see that all but one large gentleman had abandoned the use of electric collars.
The Case of Jack and the E-Collar
The dog wearing an E-Collar, named Jack, appeared visibly uncomfortable, and I was desperate to remove it. However, his handler insisted on keeping it on, which left me wondering just how 'wild' Jack might be. The seminar took an unexpected turn when a rather large snake appeared, causing me to disappear at the speed of sound—only to later discover it was already dead, much to everyone's amusement.
Training Exercises and Challenges
We began with a simple exercise: getting all the dogs into a large circle and walking them on-lead. Both handlers and dogs enjoyed this activity, creating a positive atmosphere. I then suggested walking them off-lead, which proved less successful than anticipated. After offering another attempt, the group improved significantly, showing resilience and adaptability.
Given that most handlers lived near lakes or rivers, swimming lessons were unnecessary. Instead, I set up water-based exercises, which they loved. I brought a box of rubber ducks and gave each dog the chance to retrieve one, leading to lots of banter—often at my expense—and overall fun.
The Dramatic Turn of Events
After every dog had retrieved a rubber duck, we broke for lunch, allowing the dogs time for energy treats. In a surprising twist, as Jack's owner went to turn on the E-Collar, Jack shot by at incredible speed, dragging his owner's very expensive leather jacket in his teeth and dumping it in the lake. We eventually retrieved the jacket, but it was covered in the worst stinking water imaginable. This incident revealed Jack to be one of the smartest dogs I have ever encountered, cleverly orchestrating his escape.
Join Weekly Training Classes
You can join my weekly training classes by texting Vic on 075905 60012. With over 32 years of experience, Vic has trained more than 4,500 dogs of all shapes, breeds, and sizes. He describes working with them as a privilege, noting that they have taught him as much as he has taught them.
Vic says: "After all this time communicating directly with dogs, I can honestly say I have never met a dog I could not help. Owners, however, are a little more difficult and need to learn how dogs really communicate. It means getting into the mind of the dog and truly understanding. That insight will open a new world to you." For daily last-minute class updates, follow him on Facebook.
Location: Macclesfield
