Foundation Dog Training System

Welcome to the self help section of the web site.

This will be your starting point to troubleshooting all of your dogs' behavior problems and/or to begin getting the best obedience and control from your dog possible.

In order to get the the most from this web site it is important to understand how the training style works.

The style is called the "Foundation Dog Training System" and was developed to give the average person a systematic approach to troubleshooting and developing an effective plan for the most difficult dog behavior and training problems.

It is called the Foundation Dog Training System because it is based on using a model of a pyramid with 11 layers of foundation which ultimately support the top which represents our goals for our dog.  Just like an actual pyramid, the top will be very sturdy and last a long time if each bottom layer is in place and put together correctly before adding the next layer.

Here are some examples:

Health is a very bottom layer since many problems must be first troubleshot there.  For instance, if a dog is growling when we pet him we have to check for an ear infection first. Or, if a dog suddenly is peeing in the home we should check for a urinary track infection before anything else.  If your dog is slow to follow a "down" command, he may have soar joints.  If your dog is constantly nagging you for petting and attention he may have dry and uncomfortable skin.

A behavior like peeing or pooping in the home may have many different sources that must be systematically troubleshot.  Is it a health problem (layer 2)? Is it an insecurity problem caused by our attitude toward the dog (layer 3)? Are we incapable of using the right methods to teach the dog effectively (layer 4)? Is the behavior due to a desire to mark the home (layer 5)? Was the dog never properly housebroken and doesn't know any better (layer 7)? Is the dog having accidents because of an anxiety problem (layer 8)?

All 8 layers below "obedience" will potentially cause serious barriers to you and your dog's success if not understood and practiced.  Do you understand the correct timing of cause and effect necessary to teach your dog (layer 4)? Do you understand how to communicate leadership to your dog so that you will not be fighting the laws of nature by expecting them to follow the lead of someone they feel is a subordinate (layer 5)?  Do you expect your dog not to chase squirrels or cars, but are not giving them a proper outlet first for their natural desire to chase (layer 6)?  This is just some of the many ways the troubleshooting works.

I have developed this system naturally after many years of taking on the worst case scenarios of behavior and obedience problems in dogs that have come to me after failing under other trainers and often suggested to be euthanized after a consult with a veterinary behaviorist.  I needed a way to quickly and systematically figure out what went wrong and do everything possible to help out these dogs and their owners.

This method will be constantly updated as I find new ways to either completely fix your dog's issues or find solutions for the dogs that work their way through the system and still have some genetically or environmental challenges that require a good management plan to succeed without landing them in a shelter or on the euthanasia table.

There is a forum on this site where you can blog your dog's progress and communicate with like minded owners and trainers for extra support and fun.

To get started click on the first layer Knowledge.  Good luck!