Description

Jenn Fadal sat down with the presidential dog trainer of Bo Obama to get some tips on how to train your favorite pooch.

Transcript

Person 1: Well, when it comes to training our pets, who better to go to than the top dog trainer? Literally. Better pet lifestyle and wellness expert, Jenn Fedal, is getting the 411 on the first dog, Bo Obama and also showing us some great tips on how to train your favorite furry friend. Jenn? Person 2: Thanks Rhiannon. Dawn, we’re so excited to have you. Person 3: Thank you very much. Person 2: And I have to say, I’m so impressed with your new book, “The Love That Dog Training Book”. Person 3: Yes. Person 2: And today I got to read about two chapters of it and I love it. I loved all the positive training, reinforcement beliefs that you have. Person 3: And it works on kids, too. Person 2: That’s even better! That’s even better. So, you’ve train thousands of dogs. Person 3: Absolutely. Person 2: And you get a call to do an assessment of a Portuguese Water Dog puppy. Person 3: That was a -- to Vicky’s puppy. Person 2: Okay in Vicky Kennedy, the late Ted Kennedy’s wife. Okay. Person 3: Yes. Person 2: Okay. Person 3: And I was going to assess the dog and see what kind of a family he would be good for. Person 2: Okay. Person 3: And if he could live with children. So, I was exposing him and taking him everywhere. Person 2: Everywhere. Person 3: Target banks, PETCO, strip malls, people’s homes, playgrounds. Person 2: Because the more socialization, the better. Correct? Person 3: The more socialization… I wanted to expose him to everything and anything that he could possibly come in contact with throughout his lifetime. Person 2: Absolutely. Person 3: And see what kind of reaction I got. And it was just like water rolling off a dog’s bath. Person 2: So he’s a little smart. He was a smart puppy. Person 3: Charlie was smart, easy-going. -- crazy puppy moments. Person 2: Sure. Like every puppy. Person 3: Most puppies, yeah they do. But -- down nicely. Person 2: Good. Person 3: Walked nicely unleashed. Person 2: Okay. Person 3: He is not a leash puller. Person 2: Okay. Because we did see – I have to bring this up – we did see the picture of Bo Obama walking, pretty much walking the president down the sidewalk. And I know other trainers have had things to say about that like Cesar Milan came in and had his opinion. What is your opinion on that? Person 3: My opinion is that because your dog is walking out ahead of you, does not mean that he’s the leader of the pack. Person 2: Because sometimes you can walk a dog on a strict heel and at other times you’ll want them to have their freedom. Person 3: There are three ways to walk your dog. There is that perfect heel which is very artificial for the show. Person 2: Okay. Person 3: Then there is that informal heel that gets you in and out of buildings. Person 2: Okay. Person 3: When there are people around. Person 2: Absolutely. Person 3: And then there is that loose lead walk. Well, the dog is out in front of you but you got a loose lead. So, the dog can be a dog and sniff and pee and to be a dog. Person 2: Exactly. That’s what they ought to do. Person 3: I mean, dogs need to be dogs. The fact, you know, we don’t know what was going on in the environment; the topography, who was there, who was maybe calling him. Maybe they were late to get into the office. Person 2: There could have been media around for all you know. Person 3: Absolutely, you know security. Person 2: One final question before we end. Can you leave our audience with, in your opinion, the most important training tip. Person 3: Get them young. Start them off right. Make a list of the kind of adult dog that you want to grow old with and start training for it as soon you soon you bring that dog home. Person 2: Thank you, Dawn. Person 3: And make it positive. Person 2: Thank you, Dawn. Such a wonderful information for all of our audience, and Rhiannon? Person 1: Bo Obama is so cute. Thanks, Jenn.