Creating An Environment Your Rescue Dog Will Love You For
People as well as pets, are strongly influenced by the home environment. What if you can create a space that can positively influence your rescue dog? In this episode, we will talk about how the home environment and ambiance has a strong influence on your rescue dog's quality of life and what you can do about it. Today's guest Sam Wike, is a retired police officer and K9 explosive detection dog handler and is currently a professional dog trainer with plenty of experience with shelter dogs.
BIO:
I'm a retired police officer and K9 explosive detection dog handler. Our training emphasized trust in each other, that we were partners and always worked together. We lived together 24/7/365, sharing every experience. Mistakes made were ours, not our dogs. We learned to "trust your dog" because, honestly, they were a whole lot smarter than we were. That's why they detected explosives, not us.
When I retired my K9 Sanders retired with me. I needed a new career and training dogs was a natural choice. I started as a Petsmart trainer and Sanders helped me teach all levels of classes. I left Petsmart and worked as the lead trainer at a local pet resort where the owner was a longtime trainer himself. He encouraged me to learn and practice what I learned, especially regarding behavior.
I spent just as much time observing dogs in the numerous play yards as I did teaching classes and working with behaviorally challenged dogs. I attended behavior centric seminars and conferences, learning from the best in the world. My continuing education and practical experiences led to me testing for and attaining my Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed certification (CPDT-KA).
In 2008 I became involved with the Best Friends Animal Society. I was privileged to work with some of the best trainers and behaviorists in the US and they became my mentors, colleagues and friends. I was chosen to be the first Community Training Partner, learned to train service dogs in the Canines with Careers program and was allowed to meet, hang out and work with some of the Vicktory Dogs. I even got to appear in an episode of the National geographic series Dogtown.
I along with Sherry Woodard co-hosted seminars and workshops for shelter and rescue groups in NY, NJ, AZ, UT, CO and DE. We provided education and hands-on training of shelter/rescue personnel, evaluated facilities, assessed dogs and set up training, behavior and enrichment programs. An integral part of these programs was introducing shelter/rescue personnel to the use of mental enrichment as well as periods of relaxation to reduce the stress of the animals as well as the people. Music, lighting, scent, reading, etc. are essential to achieving this.
It was at a BFAS Super Adoption event that I learned of an opportunity with Victoria Stilwell, the UK dog trainer with the TV show "It's Me or the Dog". That opportunity led to a vetting process and hands-on testing rivaling that of what I went through to acquire a TS clearance while in the Army. The result was being accepted, licensed and endorsed as a Victoria Stilwell Positive Dog Trainer (VSPDT).
I had the honor and privilege to assist a client/friend in opening an incredible facility for senior dogs. The use of music, lighting and scent was paramount in creating a calm and relaxing environment, along with lots of love, healthy exercise, medical care and positive human interaction. I could write a book on this amazing place and being involved was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever been a part of.
I created my business, The Inner Dog, in 2010 and I focus primarily on working with dogs that have behavioral challenges, especially those with moderate to severe challenges, including bite histories. Focusing on behavior is rewarding, can be heartbreaking, but I love when dogs and people have those 'lightbulb moments', when things change for the better, when progress, no matter how slowly, is achieved.
I continue providing support to rescues and shelters, their personnel, fosters and adopters; participating in virtual forums to help dog lovers everywhere through Facebook Live and Zoom sessions with Victoria Stilwell and Meg Harrison of Blackwing Farms and podcasts such as Save A Pooch on PetLifeRadio. I'm only able to do this because of my incredible mentors, colleagues in many fields of study, continuing my education in all aspects dog, and letting dogs teach me what works
"We don't change using fear, we build and nurture trust; we don't change using force, we create a desire to learn; We don't change using domination, we provide choice using science based behavior modification; we don't improve just your dog, we create a mutually rewarding partnership."
Build TRUST, TEACH Skills, CHANGE Behavior, ENJOY the Partnership!