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Joel Silverman answers questions about dogs from house training to intelligence
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JOEL SILVERMAN
Bil-Jac dog trainer Joel Silverman has spent the past three decades teaching us how to relate to a variety of animals. His work ranges from national TV shows like Animal Planet’s Good Dog U to theme parks such as Sea World. As a result, it was a pleasure to get him to answer a few questions about dogs. These questions are common ones that can help us care for our dogs more aptly and be better dog owners.
Q: How long does it normally take to house a puppy?
A: I like to start with crate training a puppy, and the time it takes really depends on the puppy. But house training can take from between a week up to four weeks.
Q: Are there any myths about dogs you wish people would stop believing?
A: "You cannot teach an old dog new tricks". I, along with thousands of other dog trainers, have proved that one wrong our whole lives!!
Q: Is there any breed of dog you'd recommend people not have as pets?
A: I would make sure that if you are looking at any specific breed, do all the necessary research before selecting that breed. There are certain breeds I would not recommend for certain individuals simply based on the energy level and prey drive of that breed. A great example is a Jack Russell Terrier. These can make great pets, but for the owner that is looking for a "laid back" dog, this is probably not the dog for you.
Q: What is the biggest mistake a person can make in handling dogs.
A: One of the biggest mistakes in handling dogs in training is not keeping the dog close to them. Once the dog is far away from you as he is pulling for example, if you try to correct the dog, it will be much more difficult because the dog is so far away. If the dog is next to you, it will be easier for you and the correction will be much more minimal.
Q: Do you believe cats are smarter than dogs?
A: You cannot really compare the two because they really are totally different animals. The one main similarity is the domestication, and it stops there. I think some cats have the potential to learn some very advanced behaviors, but it is more about finding that ONE cat.
As you can see from his answers, Silverman has a lot of expertise in the area of dogs. Find out more about him and his current projects by visiting CompanionsForLife.net. Also, check out his latest book What Color is Your Dog; it’ll help you learn how to train your dog according to his personality.
Joel Silverman's Latest Book and Tour Photo
(Click on book cover to order.)
| All photos are courtesy of RMD advertising and Companion for Life. |
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