Articles: dog training

Timing is everything, as a group of dog trainers, veterinary behaviorists and myself managed to turn away so-called dog trainer Jeff Gelman from a training facility in Bartlett, just outside Chicago. Gelman found another venue and snuck into town to teach techniques which by viewing his own videos it’s clear that Rhode Island-based dog trainer is…

Petco National Training Manager Darris Cooper talks on my national Steve Dale’s Pet World radio show about why the the national chain pet store banned e-collars. It’s a brave financial choice during the pandemic. There’s no doubt about it – and we chat about why banning e-collars collars (shock collars) is both humane, and actually…

They’re pretty but they are also an introduced species, called spotted lanternflies. The insects are native to China, India and Vietnam were accidentally introduced into the U.S. about six years ago, and today they’re thriving in Pennsylvania, wreaking havoc on the environment. Dr. Cynthia Otto at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, University of Pennsylvania…

In the midst of a pandemic when competition for sales has never been higher, Petco stood up and stood out and declared they are no longer selling e-collars or shock collars. Listen HERE to my Steve Dale’s Pet World WGN Radio show, as I interview Fear Free Certified National Training Manager at Petco Darris Cooper.…

In the book Decoding Your Cat -now out – I wrote in the book’s Introduction, “Veterinary behaviorists are last responders. When no one else can assist, they swoop in and save the day.” Following a talk by a veterinary behaviorist, maybe 10 years ago now, at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, I was…

Have been writing about how discouraged I am that some people who hold dog training classes, like Jeff Gellman, continue to thrive by using punishment and equipment like e-collars (electronic collars) in the name of humane dog training. It is not humane. In fact, we know that punishment based classes and e-collars most often cause…

I am not going to stand down. Dog training methods matter. Science has repeatedly demonstrates with published studies worldwide supporting positive reinforcement as the most effective way for dogs to learn. What’s more, it’s far more humane and motivating for our best friends with four legs. All dogs ever desire is to understand what we…

Rhode Island-based dog trainer Jeff Gellman was scheduled to host seminars at Bark Avenue Daycamp in Bartlett, IL. Oct 3-Oct.4. On my Sunday WGN Radio Steve Dale’s Pet World show you hear why so many professionals and anyone who ethically cares about dogs wanted to see Gellman turned away. Listen to my conversation here with…

Using kindness to teach dogs wins out. By viewing his own videos it’s clear that Rhode Island-based dog trainer Jeff Gellman is abusive. Gellman was scheduled to appear at Bark Avenue Daycamp in Bartlett, IL. Oct 3-Oct.4. A core group and many other voices (thousands) participated in social media to impact change, and Bark Avenue…

How far can a dog trainer go? According to Facebook posts dog trainer Jeff Gellman of Solid K9 Training, Providence, RI has been essentially banned from giving seminars in some nations and cities because he’s downright abusive. Watch videos and decide for yourself. Dog trainers have many views on what is the right way to…