Pet City:  Let’s begin by discussing your philosophy.  You recently published a book entitled Shelby Marlo’s New Art of Dog Training (Contemporary Books, Chicag, 1999).  What is your new art of dog training?

Shelby Marlo:  So much of what dog training is, is an art form.  It is one thing to understand the science and the theory behind training.  The art of training however, comes from love and an innate understanding of who dogs are and how dogs think.  There is an incredible movement happening in the dog world.  A kindness revolution.  In the old days, dog training was a harsh process because it came out of the military.  Likewise, methods used were compulsive and forceful.  Dogs needed to be six months of age to withstand this type of training.  The new art of dog training combines the understanding of dog behavior and animal learning theory with kind and gentle training methods.  The training techniques that I use make it possible to begin training the day you get your dog (as early as seven weeks old).  At 49 days old, a puppy’s brainwaves are the same as an adult dog’s and the puppy’s capacity for learning will never be greater.

PC:  What are the basic principles or commands in beginning obedience classes?

SM:  I start off by teaching owners to understand dog behavior and try to see things from their dogs’ point of view.  My classes involve more than just “sit, down, stay, come.”  Training means communication and teaching the dog our language.  While obedience training is an important step, socialization is vital to all dogs if they are to develop into calm, confident, well-rounded adult dogs.  My classes also include street protection (a command in which the dog learns to sit and wait on the curb until given permission to cross the street with his owner).  For confidence building and to bring more life and fun to class, we have an agility course.  We emphasize instructive reprimands rather than the word “no.”  For housebreaking we teach “potty on command.”

PC:  What age was the oldest dog you trained?  How much longer did the training take, than say with a six-month-old puppy?

SM:  Some elderly dogs I trained were as old as 17 years.  You can teach an old dog new tricks from adolescence and beyond, however, more time and patience are required.  It’s always easier to train a young puppy.  Some older dogs can have behavior problems so engrained that they simply become management cases.  Each dog learns at his or her own rate.  They are all individuals like we are, and some breed traits can make training more difficult.  With all dogs, it is important to be patient and consistent.

PC:  What are some of the ways dogs communicate with their owners, such as in play or manipulation behavior?

SM:  More than anything dogs are masters of body language.  They communicate everything- dominance, submission, elation, playfulness, fear, and aggression – through body postures.  Other common forms of communication are demand barking, nudging, leaning, play bowing, pawing, and whining.  Attention seeking behaviors include bringing toys to solicit play, and stealing favorite items to create a game of chase.  Sometimes dogs will give owners commands of their own, such as “pet me” by using their nose to push the owner’s hand up onto the dog’s head.  People often misinterpret what dogs are saying to them.  Dogs do not “get even” with us and they do not think in the abstract.  A complaint that I often get from owners is the reason the dog peed on the rug or ate their sunglasses, is because “he was mad at me.”  Dogs neither feel guilt, nor are they vindictive.  Dogs live in the present, and they chew on things because it is fun to chew and/or they are not getting adequate exercise, are bored, and have access to inappropriate chew toys.  They learn that house soiling brings relief when they have not been properly housebroken or have simply been left for too long.

PC:  Last question.  The need for continuing companionship varies among different animal species.  A dog is one species who tends to keep a close bond of kinship with humans throughout life.  Do you find yourself bonding with the dogs that you train?

SM:  The bonding and sociability of dogs is so strong that dogs whom I (or anyone for that matter) have spent a long enough time to have formed relationships with as puppies will always remember me.  I tend to bond closely with dogs I am currently working with.  I have so many nice dogs that I am working with right now and I love them all.  Even the toughest cases have so many endearing qualities that I end up falling in love with them.  I take great pleasure in seeing difficult dogs turn into marvelous family members.