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Dog trainer netflix7/8/2023 ![]() ![]() This is unnecessary and puts the dog in a stressed state. In his visit with his client, his approach is to push the dog until it reacts. This is outdated terminology and misrepresents the social structure of dogs and how they integrate into our households. Leverette talks about being a pack leader. I found this refreshing compared to many balanced trainers that I’ve seen tell clients that their dog is “cured”. Leverette also reminded the client in the first episode about how his reactive dog was a work in progress and that management and moving at the dog’s pace is important. He also seems to genuinely care about the dogs he works with and has a great “dog voice”, which is the voice that he uses when working with the dogs. ![]() In addition, he uses food, praise and toys as a part of his training, showing that he’s not on the compulsion-only side of the balanced training spectrum. He also talks about the importance of engagement from the dog and having to be interesting to our dogs when we’re training with them – all true and all good things. Leverette talks in the show about dogs and the emotions they feel which was nice to see given that many people still believe that dog’s do not feel much in terms of emotions. So what is the show like? I watched the first episode of the series and here are my thoughts. It should be noted that many of the posts that showed the lead trainer utilizing tools to show off skills, have since been removed. It wasn’t hard to forecast what might be in the show. Although no one knew the content that would be included, Cali K9 regularly posted on social media demonstrating harsh training methods and aversive tools as a part of their regular training. When this show was announced earlier in the year, a petition was created to try and convince Netflix to drop the show. A show hosted by the lead trainer, and owner of Cali K9, Jas Leverette. In February, Netflix launched Canine Intervention. If you want to find out more about the harm of the Dog Whisperer show, a quick google search can provide you with dozens upon dozens of articles and position statements from large reputable animal welfare and behaviour organizations. The Dog Whisperer is by far the most popular dog training show that’s ever been aired and was based entirely on disproven “pack” theory and old-school (read: not ethical, not humane and not science-based) dog training techniques. When it comes to good dog training (by this, I mean ethical, humane and science-based dog training) on television, history has not been kind to our furry companions. It’s about showing one extreme to another. ![]() Full home builds and renovations in 55 minutes. Magnificent makeovers done in 20 minutes. Television shows are about instant gratification. Humans need to be firm and work with the dog so they know who’s in charge.Good dog training generally doesn’t make for good television. He tells one overprotective mom that the dog really doesn’t care if her paws get dirty, and she needs to stop putting booties on her. Jas does administer a modicum of tough love at times. There’s little judgment - just dogs and owners who need some help. Viewers can be assured that every dog ends up a good dog in a happy home. On the contrary, in the tradition of life-hack reality shows like “Queer Eye” or “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” the series is very gentle. Though there are many allusions to violence and trauma, “Canine Intervention” is not a violent or traumatic show. Jas himself says he got interested in dog training in part because he felt he needed protection when he was young and didn’t want to have a gun. The other two brothers are in the military, and the youngest has a lot of anxiety about their safety. A fatherless family has an emotional support dog for their young son because the last of his three older brothers is moving out to go to college. One owner is still recovering from the psychological effects of prison incarceration some dogs and owners have gunshot wounds. But other Oakland neighborhoods he serves are not affluent.
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