If you are an average dog owner looking for answers to your dog-training needs, then it's time to take the Ten Natural Steps to Training the Family Dog. Whether you've finally taken the plunge and adopted a puppy or dog, but have no idea how to train it or make it a member of your family, or whether you have a dog that has been unruly for months or years, this is the book for you! Thousands of people just like you have gone to Matthew Duffy, a 30-year veteran dog trainer, for help. And just as they were able to take control of their dog using Matthew's techniques in Ten Natural Steps to Training the Family Dog, you will too! This straightforward book, which is centered around positive reinforcement, teaches you the techniques and step-by-step instruction you need to effectively and quickly train your dog. The training techniques outlined in the book apply equally well to all breed types and ages. In Ten Natural Steps to Training the Family Dog, Matthew teaches you: -how to transform a rambunctious dog into a composed family member without the use of negative emotion; -how to develop self-control in your dog without the use of formal commands; -how to manage your dog's behavior when challenged by distractions; -how to teach the five basic formal commands, step by step; -how to better understand the way your dog thinks; and -the basic principles of shaping your dogs behavior. A Message from Matthew "The head of the average family I deal with often falls short on enough time to comfortably manage all the aspects of pack living: too little time for the kids and spouse, even less time for himself or herself, and next to no time for the dog. In our amped-up American lifestyle, we have so much on our daily plate that there is little room left for any additional challenge, like owning a dog. How sad it would be to miss out on such a rewarding and ancient relationship. This has been my job over the past three decades: helping families minimize the challenge of dog ownership so that it fits on their daily plate. Honestly, with a few environmental controls and the right kind of relationship development, anyone can enjoy a canine companion as the first breeders intended: an animal uniquely developed to live among people."
About the Author: Matthew Duffy was born and raised in southern Indiana, the beautiful hilly country overlooking the mighty Ohio River. His natural rapport with animals became apparent at the young age of thirteen when Matt worked as a mounted trail guide for a local riding stable. After years of working with horses, Matt turned his full attention to dogs. He completed a comprehensive professional dog trainers course in 1980 and soon became the head trainer at a prominent kennel in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1983, Matt entered into a partnership with a dog training center in Indiana and several years later established his own training facility, Advanced Training Kennel, Inc. During Matt's very active career, he has: -titled dogs to various levels of working degrees, while a member of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America; -completed courses at Koehler Method of Dog Training Clinic, the International Police Dogs (scent detection) seminar, the All Breed K-9 Academy (patrol dog) seminar, and the Tom Brown Tracking School; -studied psychology at Indiana University Southeast and was inducted into the National Honor Society in Psychology in 1983; -graduated from Floyd County Police Academy and served as a K-9 officer; -been an active member of the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Indiana Search and Rescue Work Dog Association. Currently, Matt owns and operates Duffy's Dog Training Center LLC, where he oversees the instruction of several hundred dogs and their owners annually. A master of his trade, Matthew Duffy has trained literally thousands of dogs over the past two and a half decades for every imaginable purpose: family obedience, handicap assistance, search and rescue, even termite detection. Any working day of the week, you'll find Matt with a leash in his hand, ever continuing to sharpen his expertise.