Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBehavioral tips keep fiesty canines on short leash
By Jackie Saunders
Posted: 2/20/06, 11:45 PM EST Section: Pulp
Nestled between stacks of books, Jack, the unruly yellow Labrador received two tugs on his pronged collar and obediently followed seasoned dog trainer Mitch Stahl. Much to the audience's surprise, the once boisterous Jack, who galloped into the Schine Student Center Bookstore minutes before, was now following the trainer and sitting when his leader stopped.
Yesterday afternoon's Bookstore Break featured Mitch Stahl, a dog trainer whose business card slogan reads, "Helping dogs with people problems." A generational gift passed down, Stahl's interest and ability to train dogs comes from his mother, who was an obedience trainer.
"My philosophy is something that evolved over the years; my mom never made the connection between dog's instincts and wolf-pack behavior," said Stahl, who eagerly read many books on the subject to come up with his basic five rules for behavioral training.
"There are certain things we do that our dogs watch very closely," Stahl said. "Dogs respect certain members and perceive the pack leader to be a big male."
Even though dogs may try to put one over on Mom, Stahl reassured the audience that even the most laid-back people can be in a position of dominance without ever raising their voices.
Years of research and strict adherence to wolf-pack behaviors, Stahl has created five crucial subjects for training dogs: attention, food, resting places, who leaves the door first and the position in walking.
Eight-week-old Westie puppy Coco Chanel is prepping for her year of strict training. Blinking her big brown eyes and lovingly licking her owner's hand, Coco has no idea she will soon be learning her place in the pack.
Coco's owner Marc Donabella, an employee in Syracuse University's Office of Trademark Licensing, is planning on buying a small leash to aid in training for proper behavior in the house.
Stahl believes people give dogs too much freedom. Their first year in the house, the dogs must never be unsupervised and a leash and a crate are essential for creating boundaries.
Yesterday afternoon's Bookstore Break featured Mitch Stahl, a dog trainer whose business card slogan reads, "Helping dogs with people problems." A generational gift passed down, Stahl's interest and ability to train dogs comes from his mother, who was an obedience trainer.
"My philosophy is something that evolved over the years; my mom never made the connection between dog's instincts and wolf-pack behavior," said Stahl, who eagerly read many books on the subject to come up with his basic five rules for behavioral training.
"There are certain things we do that our dogs watch very closely," Stahl said. "Dogs respect certain members and perceive the pack leader to be a big male."
Even though dogs may try to put one over on Mom, Stahl reassured the audience that even the most laid-back people can be in a position of dominance without ever raising their voices.
Years of research and strict adherence to wolf-pack behaviors, Stahl has created five crucial subjects for training dogs: attention, food, resting places, who leaves the door first and the position in walking.
Eight-week-old Westie puppy Coco Chanel is prepping for her year of strict training. Blinking her big brown eyes and lovingly licking her owner's hand, Coco has no idea she will soon be learning her place in the pack.
Coco's owner Marc Donabella, an employee in Syracuse University's Office of Trademark Licensing, is planning on buying a small leash to aid in training for proper behavior in the house.
Stahl believes people give dogs too much freedom. Their first year in the house, the dogs must never be unsupervised and a leash and a crate are essential for creating boundaries.
