3 Simple Steps To Becoming

A Professional Dog Trainer,

Making A Difference In The

World AND Paying The Bills At

The Same Time.

By Sharon Bolt – Dog Behaviour Expert and Founder of Good Dogs! As featured on…

• BBC’s ‘Britain’s Most Embarrassing Pets’• The Chris Evans Show on BBC Radio 2

• GMTV • BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey

As interviewed in…The Independent, The Guardian and The Sunday People Newspapers

And has conducted training for…Battersea Dog’s and Cat’s Home

In my first slide show I explained how these lovely boys

dramatically changed my life and my career and I also

explained the first of the '3 Simple Steps To Becoming A

Professional Dog Trainer, Making A Difference In The

World And Paying The Bills At The Same Time’

To recap, the first step is about your mindset, beliefs and

expectations.

Today I’m going to talk about the second step which is:

Dog training knowledge and hands on experience.

So let’s get started...

First of all it’s important to learn a method that resonates

with you, one that is kind, humane and very effective.

It seems that the dog training world is divided Into ② groups :

Humane

Groups

Those that follow positive reinforcement techniques.

Those that follow Cesar Millan’s techniques.

My approach to dog training is exactly the same as I

approach all other areas of my life – I take the best of

what’s out there that resonates with me, plus add my

own experience and knowledge into the mix.

I’ll explain more...

I LOVE and use positive reinforcement techniques –

nothing feels better than giving praise or a treat to a dog

who has responded well to what you’ve asked.

It’s a great way to teach a dog commands such as sit,

down and stay and it’s also a fantastic way to create

positive associations in situations where a dog has

previously shown fear or uncertainty.

In my experience ONLY focusing on the dog is NOT the

answer.

BUT...

It’s true that there are a small percentage of dogs who

do not need leadership. Dogs (like people) have different

personalities, it’s not about the breed but about the

personality of the dog.

For example if a dog is naturally submissive by nature, is

happy to just ‘fit in’, likes to please, doesn’t challenge or

want any trouble then positive reinforcement techniques

on their own will work brilliantly in order to have a well

behaved dog.

That’s not the case for most dogs and without the owner

understanding how their dog sees the world, how THEY

think and how to tick THEIR boxes there is a crucial

missing link.

It’s essential that the owner understands their dog, what

THEIR needs are and how to meet THEIR expectations in

a kind and confident way.

It’s also good to remember that dogs are animals and

not human, they communicate non-verbally and have

different needs and expectations than our own.

Understanding your dogDogs are animals

Dogs read us by what we think and feel which is why it’s

so important that we try to be as balanced as possible

when we are around them.

Have you ever noticed that when you are stressed out

your dog’s behaviour gets worse?!

I often laugh and say ‘don’t

they know we’re only human!’

Dogs are naturally drawn to people (and other animals)

who demonstrate leadership qualities such as...

Decisiveness.

Strength.

Someone who is calm but firm (not a push over).

Someone who gives clear and concise directions.

Someone who communicates simply but effectively.

Someone who rewards when doing a good job.

Someone who is self assured and confident. Someone who has presence and easily gains respect and trust.

They also have :

Strong , upright body language, which means their head is

held high, their chest is forward and shoulders relaxed.

They have :

An air of authority, pack leaders are almost regal like with

calmness and determination.

The qualities looked for in a pack leader are not

dissimilar to what we look for in a human leader.

Dog

If you work for a boss who panics and shouts in a crisis,

has a problem making decisions or communicates in a

way that leaves you confused and unsure then you have

little trust in this person for your well being.

If on the other hand you work for a boss who is calm and

confident, gives clear information and makes good

decisions you know you can trust in their leadership and

judgement and relax when they’re around to take care of

you.

The same is true for dogstoo.

Calm & Confident

Pack leaders are NOT aggressive or pushy but are calm,

confident and expect their directions to be followed. Dogs

don’t negotiate with higher ranking members but show

respect and a willingness to please, they also feel safe and

taken care of in the presence of the pack leader.

Additionally dogs are communicating non-verbally all the

time and demonstrate dominant and submissive signals.

For example :Dominant or challenging signals in dogs are shown by :

A large confident body posture - the head and the ears are

raised. They have large staring, often fixated eyes. They

have curled raised lips and a wrinkled muzzle and the tail

is high. The whole posture is upright and very strong.

challenging signals

Submissive signals are indicated by a lowered body, their

ears are back and their eyes are small and the tail is

lowered. They will avoid holding eye contact for very long

and will look away, sometimes turning their head and

other times their whole body.

Furthermore dogs have certain behaviours that calm

themselves, other dogs and you down!

One of the ways they do this is by sniffing the ground.

They often pretend they smell something really good. If

they do this around other dogs, it can encourage the

other dogs to do it too and take the focus of what could

have otherwise led to a possible conflict.

Another way they calm the situation is by yawning – they

often use this calming down mechanism when the

environment becomes stressed or if you pet them too

closely.

A third way dogs can choose to calm the situation is by

flickering their tongue in and out quickly. This signal is

often chosen when 2 dogs are approaching each other.

In conclusion, I don’t personally support the ‘bite’ or

‘pinning’ the dog down on their side techniques but I do

believe that being the pack leader, having a strong

positive mindset and focusing on the dog owner first are

essential ingredients to how balanced a dog is.

Focusing on the Dog Owner

An essential ingredient

To a balanced

dog

When you combine leadership with an understanding of

how a dog’s mind works PLUS positive reinforcement

techniques the results are not only staggering but are

fast and long lasting too.

Leadership Understanding a Dog’s mindPositive reinforcement techniques

Would you like to have the self-belief, the confidence,

the knowledge and hands on experience in order to have

your dream job and be a professional dog trainer?

Do you feel you are MEANT to work with dogs and

would like to make a BIG difference in the world? And

would you like to work the hours YOU want, have time

for you, your family and friends and PAY THE BILLS at

the same time?

If you’ve answered yes then what I’m going to tell you

next could be an amazing opportunity for you...

I've created 'The Rolls Royce of Dog Training and Mentoring' Programme.

There are 2 parts to the programme :

The 5 Day Advanced Course plus a follow up bonus day.

Followed by an :

8 week business, coaching and mentoring boot camp.

This programme is jam packed full of ‘roll your sleeves up

and learn from the inside out’ hands on dog training

experiences.

Plus an 8 week business and mentoring on-line boot

camp where I show you step by step, using leading edge

technology, EXACTLY how you can fast track your way to

success.

This is only for people who are ready NOW to make a

HUGH positive difference in their lives.

There is an opening for a maximum of 6 people to work

closely with me in order to get the experience, mindset

and business knowledge needed in order to be

successful.

By application and invitation only.

A maximum of 6 places.

Places are assigned in the order that suitable applicants are received.

www.good-dogs.co.uk/howtobecomeadogtrainer

Complete the application form at the bottom of the page.

If it seems we're a good match and I feel I can help you

we'll have a telephone consultation, which is 100% free,

to see if we really are a good fit.