Puppy and Dog Obedience Training with John Wade
610 Percy St. N6C 2L7 London, ON, Canada

Opinion pieces by yet two more 'experts'. Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment." (Essay to Leo Baeck, 1953) Albert Einstein

COVID-19 and In-Home, and Group Dog Training While the risk of death (for some) may not be as significant as once was feared, it appears that the risk of long...-term lung, heart, etc. life-impacting residual effects is becoming a more significant concern for those added to 'recovered' category. Considering the number of clients I see weekly, and the degree of difficulty/impracticality associated with legitimate 'social distancing' practices, etc. in the context of in-home, let alone group dog training, and the excellent alternative I have available, I would rather not unnecessarily unwittingly become a vector for bringing this virus and its potential lingering misery to your life and the lives around you. I have since the advent of COVID safely provided 200+ companion puppy and dog owners like yourself with a much safer alternative. I am aware that a few amateur dog trainers have popped up that are now offering in-home and group classes and are promising to take social distancing precautions. With what I’ve learned about dogs and people after 30+ years of training dogs full-time, I’m skeptical. Perhaps these trainers have set critical thinking aside and have myopically made this decision (like many young people seem to have), solely from the perspective of the risk to themselves, rather than the risk they might expose others. Perhaps they have found themselves under sufficient financial pressure to cloud their thinking. It’s also possible that they believe the pandemic is more conspiracy than reality. Whatever their rationalizations, (assuming COVID-19 is real) what they are proposing, at least in the context of in-person dog training can't be done while legitimately keeping their clients and their client's families and friends safe. After full-time training for 30 + years of both puppies and dogs for obedience, and for those with dogs with behavior problems large and small, I know, if someone offering dog training services believes that the wearing of masks and gloves, social distance, having their clients do the same, even sterilizing their own and client's equipment after each session, is practical; they haven't trained enough dogs, which in itself might be a sign that particular trainer may not the best source of guidance. A knowledgable and experienced dog trainer should understand (and advise accordingly) that when working with an untrained puppy or dog, it never goes 'according to plan. If someone in that room is an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, in the ‘expect the unexpected’ world of companion in-home or group dog training, there will be transmission opportunities regardless of precautions. As it is, most veterinarians are still not permitting their clients to accompany their dogs in for an examination, and the opportunities for transmission are far less. Those that are, implement strict guidelines that cannot be replicated in a dog training scenario. In any event, the above is moot if you can have the advantages of my knowledge and expertise without the risk of life and limb. If you have a new puppy or dog or have a dog with a behavioral problem, help is available. Send me an email with an overview and I’ll send you a whack of information on how I can help. ([email protected]) - John Wade (www.askthedogguy.com)

COVID-19 and In-Home, and Group Dog Training While the risk of death (for some) may not be as significant as once was feared, it appears that the risk of long...-term lung, heart, etc. life-impacting residual effects is becoming a more significant concern for those added to 'recovered' category. Considering the number of clients I see weekly, and the degree of difficulty/impracticality associated with legitimate 'social distancing' practices, etc. in the context of in-home, let alone group dog training, and the excellent alternative I have available, I would rather not unnecessarily unwittingly become a vector for bringing this virus and its potential lingering misery to your life and the lives around you. I have since the advent of COVID safely provided 200+ companion puppy and dog owners like yourself with a much safer alternative. I am aware that a few amateur dog trainers have popped up that are now offering in-home and group classes and are promising to take social distancing precautions. With what I’ve learned about dogs and people after 30+ years of training dogs full-time, I’m skeptical. Perhaps these trainers have set critical thinking aside and have myopically made this decision (like many young people seem to have), solely from the perspective of the risk to themselves, rather than the risk they might expose others. Perhaps they have found themselves under sufficient financial pressure to cloud their thinking. It’s also possible that they believe the pandemic is more conspiracy than reality. Whatever their rationalizations, (assuming COVID-19 is real) what they are proposing, at least in the context of in-person dog training can't be done while legitimately keeping their clients and their client's families and friends safe. After full-time training for 30 + years of both puppies and dogs for obedience, and for those with dogs with behavior problems large and small, I know, if someone offering dog training services believes that the wearing of masks and gloves, social distance, having their clients do the same, even sterilizing their own and client's equipment after each session, is practical; they haven't trained enough dogs, which in itself might be a sign that particular trainer may not the best source of guidance. A knowledgable and experienced dog trainer should understand (and advise accordingly) that when working with an untrained puppy or dog, it never goes 'according to plan. If someone in that room is an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, in the ‘expect the unexpected’ world of companion in-home or group dog training, there will be transmission opportunities regardless of precautions. As it is, most veterinarians are still not permitting their clients to accompany their dogs in for an examination, and the opportunities for transmission are far less. Those that are, implement strict guidelines that cannot be replicated in a dog training scenario. In any event, the above is moot if you can have the advantages of my knowledge and expertise without the risk of life and limb. If you have a new puppy or dog or have a dog with a behavioral problem, help is available. Send me an email with an overview and I’ll send you a whack of information on how I can help. ([email protected]) - John Wade (www.askthedogguy.com)

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases//08/200820102409.htm

The Irish Dog Whisperer (Language warning.) "Dogs can be a lot like husbands and children. You know darn well that they can hear you, they just darn well won't listen to you until . . ." - 'www.askthedogguy.com'

The Irish Dog Whisperer (Language warning.) "Dogs can be a lot like husbands and children. You know darn well that they can hear you, they just darn well won't listen to you until . . ." - 'www.askthedogguy.com'

Big dogs face more joint problems if neutered earlyStudy provides guidance on best age to neuter mixed breeds by weighthttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200813162809.htm

Puppy And Dog Training Classes Are Now A Permitted Activity In Ontario, Canada But Is It Wise? Are We Really Ready? Who Thought This Through? Did They Think It ...Through? I’ve given it quite a bit of thought since the ‘announcement’ (which was very short on practical application details). They said we could start training puppies and dogs, but not how we could go about it and assuming the dangers are legitimate, not unrealistically endanger others (or ourselves). Saying, apply safety protocols and use common sense isn’t helpful. Here are some of my thoughts on the topic and how, with a little creativity, with a highly experienced trainer, puppy and dog training is still possible in the midst of covid-19 Read More: