Lil' Rascals Dog Training

Have you already tried and failed group classes, private dog training, books, TV shows and Internet searches? Do you just want to live in harmony and enjoy life with your dog? Do you want the skills to be able to go just about anywhere with your dog? Do you want to live a better life with your dog, without the agenda to “compete” with your dog in shows and activities? Sound familiar? You’re not alone. 

Before we get down to the nitty gritty, I want to share with you WHY this type of wellness plan is so important for you and your dog. 

Many, if not most, dogs living in our culture are already suffering from behavioral symptoms from a wide variety of causes. Maybe your dog was sick, injured, abused, threatened or scared. Maybe it came from a puppy mill/shelter/rescue or has a genetic predisposal to whatever problems you face. Either way, if your dog falls into any category other than “perfect”, then this program is for you. 

Don’t rely on training to solve behavior problems. We have been wrongly told that to solve our dog’s behavior problems, we have to focus on training, consistency and a ton of other outdated methods. Even if you have been enrolled in a “positive” training class, you will find that your problems still aren’t solved. However good your intentions are to figure out how to train your dog, you’re likely going to fall short again and again. 

We’ve been brainwashed to think that ALL of our dog problems can be solved with dog training and your total dedication and consistency. Sorry, pet parents, you’ve been duped. Actually, most professional dog trainers have been duped too.

 And here’s why: There’s a difference between well behaved and well trained. 

Helping a dog become WELL BEHAVED, balanced, polite and a pleasure to be around has nothing to do with dog training. What you WANT (and need) is a dog that’s not annoying, sad, aggressive, destructive and is able to go enjoy the world with you. Using “training” to make this happen will result in frustration after months of failed training attempts. And NO, it’s not because you don’t love your dog enough and aren’t consistent. It’s because what you’re being told to do doesn’t work. Period. 

Training has a time and a place. Now, I’m not saying there’s no place for training. “Dog training” as we know it is useful in teaching NEW skills but does little to nothing to solve the root cause of behavior problems. The same problems that likely led you here. 

Training can really seal the deal in the relationship between you and your dog. Partnerships only grow through experience, trust and clarity. But in order for training to really take hold, you’ve got to make sure your dog’s emotional, physical, individual and unique needs are met.

 Your dog’s Holistic Wellness Plan ensures your dog is thriving and everything that affects your dog’s behavior is addressed. It means a healthy, balanced lifestyle that allows your dog to relax and become naturally well behaved. You and your dog will be forever thankful to be able to breeze through training later – if you even need it! Of course, if you have an extra 15 hours a week to devote to training your dog, you can get away with ignoring your dog’s lifestyle and wellness plan. 

But if you have a job, interests, family, hobbies and, basically a life outside your dog, don’t miss this important step. Do you and your dog a favor: follow this wellness plan!

Like all great things in life, you’ve got to be armed and ready with the right components to be successful. Holistic Wellness Plans are no different. And no, it’s not just a frilly name, it’s serious stuff! 

Okay, time to focus: Here’s the basic recipe. 

This guide will teach you all you need to know about the 7 key areas of a Wellness Plan: 

• Know your dog
• Physical Wellness
• Home environment
• Management Strategies
• Enrichment
• Exercise
• Training (The Human & The Dog)

Success comes easy when you have the right answers. Each category holds a TON of misconceptions. Some of which may surprise you, so I’ll do my best to give you the inside scoop. After all, we’re shooting for SUCCESS here, not a repetitive cycle of failure. Each key area can be looked at as “influencers” of your dog’s problem behavior. Here is where the root cause and treatment of just about any problem you face will be found. You may never discover WHICH part really did the trick in the long term, nor does it matter. The point of a wellness plan is to tackle the problem from every conceivable angle so your dog has no choice but to start healing TODAY.