mydogs

Braveheart Dog Training
"Dog Training from the Heart"

This page is strictly dedicated to my own dogs. Check out my

dogs and learn a little bit about my favorite breeds.

Dachshunds

Over the years,

I have

lived with many different breeds

including Rottweilers, an Aghan Hound, Chow Chows, Shih

Tzus, Poodles, Dachshunds, Pugs, Cattle Dogs and Clumber

Spaniels.

Dachshunds are

my favorite breed and for the past 14 years

have

not been without a Dachshund in

home.

I currently

do Dachshund rescue,

and

have my

own standard smooth

and standard longhair dachshunds.

I c

ompete with

dachshunds in conformation, field trials, obedience,

earthdog, and rally. I have bred and produced several

champions, and show my own dachshunds as well as those

belonging to friends and clients.

I am a member of the Golden Gate Dachshund Club (for

which I am also Vice President), the Northern California

Dachshund Club and the Dachshund Club of America. I do

breeder referral and write a Trainer Blog for the Dachshund

Rescue Web Page (

www.drwp.net

Dachshunds are sometimes labeled "stubborn" and "difficult

to train", both labels that make me crazy. Dachshunds are

not stubborn, they are simply bred to do a specific task (track

rabbits) and when we attempt to interfere with their work by

asking for something else,

it is sometimes difficult to

convince them that we are right

. I call this commitment and

dedication. Dachshunds tend to have a pretty strong work

ethic and asking them to stop when they are working can be

challenging. So, I will admit that they can be challenging at

times, but all that means is that we need to be better trainers

and more creative in convincing them that we are worth

listening to.

I teach my dogs several behaviors including to come when

called. Because I train them in a way that makes sense to

them and is reasonable to them, they do what I ask of them.

My dachshunds are trained using the same positive

reinforcement methods that I train every other breed with,

and it works just as well with them.

Australian Cattle Dogs

In addition to my dachshunds, I also live with cattle dogs.

While the cattle dogs have a very different type of work ethic

and learning style than my dachshunds, they get along

together very well.

I love training and working with cattle dogs. They are a

brilliantly smart and clever breed. These dogs tend to be

problem solvers. They are hard wired working dogs, and they

need a job to do. If you don't provide one, they'll find one,

and you might not like it. They require a great deal of

exercise and mental stimulation. They are a fantastic breed,

but they aren't for everyone. If you don't have time to

interact with these dogs, don't have one. I hate breed

generalizations because all dogs are individuals, but it's

appropriate to say here that most cattle dogs are smart,

clever, hard working, high energy dogs.

Contrary to popular belief, cattle dogs do NOT need to be

handled roughly or trained harshly. These dogs are some of

the most responsive and responsible dogs I have ever met. I

never manhandle dogs and cattle dogs are no different. They

need an understanding owner who respects these dogs and

can provide them what they need.

I occasionally do cattle dog rescue, but typically only young

puppies. I am a member of the Gold Coast Australian Cattle

Dog Club.

Slater, my dear old red
dog. Now 12 years old.

Ivy, the Matriarch of
Braveheart.

Winnie has her CD title,
is a field champion, her
CGC and is a therapy
dog.

Ribbon is our current
show dog. She is the
sweetest most lovable
girl.

Sir Thomas James.
My little rescue guy.

Billy the Kid. My heart
dog...

Cowboy. Never in a
bad mood. This dog
truly has a heart of
gold. We are so lucky
to have him.

Braveheart Dog Training
"Dog Training from the Heart"

2123 Marina Blvd.
San Leandro, Ca 94577
(510) 483-2631
braveheartdogs@sbcglobal.net