Dog trainer & television host Joel Silverman

Joel Silverman                                  (Photo/drsfostersmith)

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests people who are looking for "man's best friend" to check out the millions of dogs at local shelters across the country.

Responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into your life.  Anyone wanting to adopt a pet should be ready to make a commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal.

Nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year the Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem that is faced in this country.

Dog trainer Joel Silverman says that shelter animals make good pets, and that proper training is the key. Silverman's many canine pupils have starred in commercials, television shows, and feature films and often come from shelters.

According to Silverman, pet owners that train their dogs have better relationships with their pets and less problems in the home.  He adds:

Most people don't realize that training is not as difficult as they think. Training should be fun for both the pet owner and the dog and, in fact, it usually strengthens the bond between them."

Joel Silverman is a also a television host. He was the host of Animal Planet's Good Dog U. His co-host was a dog named Duke.

After high school Joel attended Moorpark College, where he completed the Wild Animal Training Program. The first animal Joel ever trained was the family dog, Shadow, a wired haired, good natured mutt.

Joel began in the late 70's and early 80's training marine mammals such as Pacific and Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins, California sea lions, and killer whales. He was a killer whale trainer at Sea World.

In 1983 Joel shifted his focus into training animals for movies TV shows and commercials. From 1988 to 1992 Joel was the trainer of Dreyfuss from the hit TV series Empty Nest. In 1989 Joel wrote and hosted a dog training video called the Hollywood Dog Training Program. 

In 1999 Joel hosted a TV series on Animal Planet called Good Dog U. Currently Joel is launching a new brand called Joel Silverman's Companions for Life. Joel hosts an online forum on BostonLove titled ask Joel Silverman to Field Questions about Animal Behavior and Care. ~ Southern Charm for your canine, Mississippi Animal Shelters