I went to the IKC dog show in Chicago on Friday. If you have never been to a dog show, you should definitely go to one at some point. I go to network with other dog professionals and learn about new products and  . . . of course to see the dogs! I wanted to share a quick post and show you some of the pictures I took and share some of my observations about the day from a dog trainer's perspective. It is impossible for me to be around dogs and not think about dog training.

When I go to dog shows, I don't really have a detailed agenda. I just take in as much of the excitement as I can and usually gravitate to the herding shows. I just love walking around, meeting people, and seeing all of the wonderfully behaved dogs that are treated with such love and care. I also really enjoy meeting the vendors and talking with them about their products. I met two vendors this year that really caught my attention. I met the owners of Pure Fresh and Simple, based out of Chicago. They are a family operation and they were all so enthusiastic and friendly about their products. After trying their product when I got home, I can see why. During a quick training session, my dogs could not get enough of the high quality freeze-dried chicken and tripe treats that I bought. They also have meals for dogs as well. Everything is human-grade quality and comes from plants inspected by the USDA. Important in these times of pet food recalls. 

Another product that really caught my attention was developed by Scott Freeman and is the Nature's Logic brand of food. I had heard of this food, but had never tried it. Scott took the time to explain his philosopy and what separates his food from the masses. His products focus on truly natural ingredients. I never knew that there are a lot of fantastic foods that label themselves as "Natural" but to be called "All Natural" like Natures Logic, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requires that the product cannot have any chemically synthesized ingredients in the product. One quick look at the label of the food and ingredients such as Chicken, Kelp, Broccoli Powder and Artichoke jump out at me. It doesn't contain the laundry list of extra vitamins like the other brands, which learning from Scott, can have ingredients from China. Nature's Logic has only natural food ingredients. So far my dogs have loved the food and the transition was easy. I think I might have found my new favorite food for them to supplement their raw diet. 

I also met some amazing hard working people from local animal rescue organizations. I always introduce myself to rescue organizations because my website can be a valuable resource for free information for new adopters of often stressed out dogs. I work with many clients that rescue dogs from shelters and rescue organizations and they can sometimes have unique, challenging issues such as separation anxiety, fear or aggression. Greg Shives, the Director of the Chicago English Bulldog Rescue, Inc. was definitely enthusiastic and passionate about helping the Bulldogs that need a home. I met Peanut, one of the Bulldogs that his organization is helping. 

So, what training thoughts that I tell my clients were reinforced as I was walking around the show?

Lesson 1. Dogs are not intrinsically aggressive. I always strive to educate people about the misconceptions about Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans and the other myriad list of breeds that people erroneously label dangerous. I won't go into a full rant here, but most of the problems that are highlighted in the news about aggressive dogs are because of ignorant guardians, and mishandled dogs. One reason I love going to dog shows is because I am surrounded by knowledgeable, caring dog guardians that properly socialize their dogs, prevent problems from escalating, and provide adequate physical and mental exercise for their beloved dogs. I have trained dozens of Pit Bulls, Staffys, Rottweilers and other "dangerous dogs" and feel that because of their physical attributes they are not appropriate for the novice dog guardian. But, any dog can have major problems if they are bored, under-exercised or improperly socialized.   

Lesson 2. Proper socialization is critical. Did you know that this is how dogs at dog shows are kept in between events? Look at these calm Weimaraners. They are not being tortured and are not miserable. They have been raised properly and put in crates periodically throughout their lives because their guardians knew that they would have to be in this setting periodically during their dog show visits. If you take a two-year-old dog that wasn't socialized properly, does not like the crate, and has dog aggression, this scene would be cruel. The point is, proper socialization and care can alleviate many long-term problems that people have because they did not put the time in at the beginning. Of course, many of my wonderful clients adopted an older dog from a shelter and it came with its own baggage. That is not the adopter's fault. They are caring and wonderful for taking a dog in and teaching him or her to be calm and comfortable in a safe home. One of reasons we have such an amazing relationship with dogs is that dogs incredibly adaptable. They just need the time and attention to learn how to adapt to our world. 

Lesson 3. Dogs need a lot of care. I feel strongly that some people think that that there is no way that dogs need as much training, exercise and grooming as they actually do. They look around at all the dogs in their city and they think that there must be something wrong with their dog because of all the exercise he or she needs. "How can everyone actually provide all of this for their dogs?" That misunderstanding is one reason why dogs are crowding shelters and foster homes and countless dogs get euthanized each year. People bring home a dog without thinking through what is actually required. Well, dogs DO need a ton of time, money, energy and active participation in their development. There is nothing wrong with a puppy that needs two hours of exercise each day. Some puppies need that much, some puppies need less. Each dog is different with his or her special needs. 

If you need help, there are many resources at my site and others to help you get through the rough spots. Dogs need a lot, but think of it as an investment in a relationship that you will have for a long time.