LETTER: Professional dog training a worthwhile investment - Marblehead Reporter

To the editor:

I wanted to share an unfortunate event that occurred a few weeks ago.

I am, and have always been, a dog lover, owning two dogs of my own. Growing up with a Rottweiler, I can recall at 12 years of age being able to walk my dog around the neighborhood, having complete control over him, thanks to the wonderful dog training my father provided.

Two weeks ago, I was walking with my two dogs around my neighborhood to get fresh air and exercise. Luckily, my three young children happened to be in preschool and were not present on the walk, as I usually do take them with me as well.

As we were turning the corner onto Pickwick Road, a Wheaton terrier was charging toward us. At first, we thought it was a puppy walking to say hello, but as it got closer, the woman behind it shouted for us to “look out, it is coming to attack the dogs.” I was shocked and stood in front of my dogs as the dog approached, calling for the woman to get her dog. The Wheaton jumped on top of my dogs, attempting to bite their necks and ears, as they both yelped.

I was trying to pull this dog off, which had a retractable leash that was wrapped around the dogs. A woman stopped her car and got out to help. Three of us were able to separate the dogs, and the dog’s owner told me she was sorry, that she dropped the leash. I told her the dog was dangerous and should have more training, and thanked the bystander for helping us. I was also thankful that my children did not need to witness this.

I asked the owner her name, the dog’s name and address. She hesitated before telling me. When I got home, I called the dog officer with the info, and she told me that there was nothing I could do as the dog technically had a leash on and the dogs were not badly injured. She did inform me that the woman would be responsible for any vet bills.

I filed a complaint against the dog but am not sure what follow up there was, as I never saw the incident in the police blotter, and there were no phone calls to follow. Additionally, I never heard from this woman to offer an apology.

So, if you have a poorly controlled and aggressive dog, please do not use a retractable leash, keep control of your dog at all times and please pay for professional training.

Michelle Doran

Pickwick Road

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Professional Puppy Training - Patch

View full size Ann Greene, A Tail Above, uses bitter spray on the leash to break a chewing urge by puppy Raine. Your photos, videos & PDFs: Add

“I have an amazing job,” said Ann Greene of A Tail Above. “I act as a benevolent leader when training my own dogs and others.”

Greene is a certified professional dog trainer who works in Annapolis and surrounding areas. The dogs she trains range from puppies to mature dogs with behavior issues. Classes are held in Greene's dog training room that was once an apartment in her Severn home.

Patch was invited to attend a puppy training class with a new client, Raine, a 10-week-old chocolate Labrador retriever. The Kellners of Bowie adopted Raine after their other chocolate lab passed away.

The family had a good experience with their other dog without any formal training. Yet, they opted to get training for Raine. Puppy training classes cover a lot of topics including review of basic commands, collars, leashes, crate training and much more. The Kellners clearly had been working with Raine, who promptly responded to the “come” command on the first time from Greene.

“Establishing a 'look' from your dog when you call [his or her] name is an important step for further training,” said Greene, while instructing the Kellner family.

A look consists of a dog making eye contact when called to receive more direction. This can be especially important when mastering more focused training for agility or other disciplined programs for dogs.

One of the biggest complaints that puppy owners have is chewing — some pups will chew shoes, the leash or furniture. Greene was able to demonstrate an effective way to teach dogs the "out" command, used to tell dogs to take something out of their mouths. A bitter apple spray, which is harmless for dogs and non-toxic, usually discourages continued mouthing. While using the spray, the command is repeated to provide association for the dog and is followed by either praise or a treat.

“Alternate between food rewards and praise to mix it up,” suggests Greene.

Raine was chewing on her leash during the class when she should have been learning a loose leash walk. With the Kellners' permission, Greene applied the spray to the leash and Raine quickly stopped chewing it.

Greene recommends the use of treats during a training session to help keep the stress levels of the dog lower and for families to be consistent with the commands that are used.

In addition to classes, Greene hits the road and locations vary depending on the training plan. She has run training sessions in local dog parks, Main Street in downtown Annapolis, and on boat docks. 

A Tail Above even offers a residency program for intense training with Greene, followed by a “go home” training session that teaches the dog owners how to reinforce what the dog has learned and another session a week later to keep the dog and owner on track.

For more information on dog training by A Tail Above, call 410-774-4575.

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