by Kirby Lindsay, posted 28 October 2013
On Saturday, November 9th, from Noon – 1:30p, at the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library, dog lovers – and the dog curious – can ‘Learn To Speak Dog: Beyond Sit and Stay’. Taught by Brett Shelby, an experienced dog trainer, this workshop will give great insight, for those who have a dog at home, those considering adding a canine component to the household (and seeking advice on the most compatible,) or those who simply need to learn to communicate with ‘man’s best friend.’
Meet Danny
An experienced, confident expert in dog behavior, Shelby acknowledged that much of his work is not in training dogs, but training owners about how to understand their canine companions and how to change negative behaviors. In an hour-long appointment, he can spend 10 minutes with the dog and 50 minutes with the owner to solve a problem.
“It murders me when I see a sign, ‘No Aggressive Breeds,’” he said, “They just need to be worked.” If given enough to do, and taught positive behavioral responses, any breed can be helpful – or harmful. “Genetics and environment,” Shelby stated, “it’s the mix. It depends on the mix of it all.”
The November 9th workshop is a humans-only event, but Shelby will have Danny, a rescued dog, with him. This shepherd/Rottweiler mix needs a home. Shelby described Danny as an intelligent and high-energy dog. “He’s going to need a particular household,” Shelby explained, someplace he can burn off energy, “preferably with a yard.” Danny needs space with, “someone who is going to jog with him every day; communicate with him.”
Shelby has had great success with Danny, and cured him of the behaviors that sent him to the shelter. Yet, Shelby knows Danny may end back in the shelter if he doesn’t get the structure at home that he needs – or if he gets adopted by the wrong family.
Then, There’s Gingersnap
In his rescue work, it may be a matter of, “the wrong dog with the wrong family,” Shelby explained. A high-energy dog should have a place to run and daily ‘work’ that includes movement. “They want a job,” Shelby said of most dogs, “they want to know their place in the pack.” As part of a human household, a dog still needs to know its place and, “dogs are like kids, they will do whatever they can get away with,” Shelby pointed out.
At our interview, Shelby had Gingersnap with him, “a sweetheart,” he called her, and everyone who passed by agreed. While adorable, Gingersnap is a very nervous dog, given to snapping at strangers – and starting to bite – which has her owner concerned. Unsure of her place, Gingersnap can be very territorial and as Shelby explained, “some dogs take [territorial] to the next level.”
Shelby brought her along, “to let her face the fear,” in a safe, controllable environment. “A lot of owners don’t want to say no,” he explained, and yet, dogs understand boundaries. They cannot, however, understand discourse. “You have to trick them,” he explained about calming Gingersnap’s fears, “that there is no problem.”
“If your dog walks into a wall,” Shelby described, “are the other dogs going to say, ‘Are you okay, sweetheart?’” Instead, he recommended learning how your dog perceives the world, to ‘talk’ to them in ways they understand – with rewards, setting limits and giving the dog a job to do.
Relationship Between Dog & Owner
Shelby has often given presentations like the one he will do at the Fremont Library. He can talk about different facets of dog behavior, from household situations to search & rescue. He plans to start off by talking of the loves, the interests and the physiology of dogs, but especially about training itself and how people can better communicate. He also welcomes questions from the audience, to speak to particular issues and the concerns of the gathering in general.
Shelby brings a wide-breadth of experience to his knowledge of dog behavior. His father, Tom Shelby, operated a well-respected dog training business for 25 years, in the New York area. After college, and eight years teaching high school, Shelby followed his Dad into the dog training business. A year ago, seeking a change of view, Brett Shelby followed a sister to the West Coast.
“Many times a more personal, comprehensive and accommodating approach is exactly whats needed to enhance the communication and relationship between dog and owner,” Shelby wrote on his website. In the November 9th workshop, Shelby can give a good overview about ‘speaking dog’, but he can also answer specific questions and share lessons he’s learned from extensive experience.
“I feel that we don’t necessarily ‘train’ our dogs but rather educate them to our needs and desires,” Shelby also wrote. Attend the workshop on November 9th, at Noon, at the Fremont Library to learn more about how to build a positive, friendly relationship for you, and for the dogs in your life.
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©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.