I volunteer my time to help dogs.  I have 5 of my own, and I work with a pack of over 100 dogs.  I work to modify behavior of dogs to make them stable, trusting, and loving.  When the opportunity came available to produce this website, I jumped on it.  I know that it will take time to build, and I am asking that every visitor please take the time to add content.  Thanks you for visiting "All about Dogs" 

Like many people, I grew up with dogs. Until the age of three, I had a stuffed animal resembling a Dalmatian. I took it every place I went, and slept with it every night. I was distraught anytime it was missing (like when my Mom took it to wash). Finally it became so tattered and stained, that my parents decided to toss it out. What a tragedy in my life. According to my Mom and Dad, I wouldn't eat, I wouldn't sleep, and I cried constantly. This forced my parents to take the next step and bring home a real dog. My first puppy came from the ASPCA. He was a mutt (some kind of a collie mix). That didn't matter to me; I just know I loved him. My Mom had to deal with the house training, and initially confined him to the kitchen with her during the day  thus she named him puddles!

I have had several dogs in my life, and all of them were social, loving, stable animals. Many of my friends also had dogs that were also very social and stable. Since my life had been fulfilled by every dog I had, it only seemed fair that I give something back. I began volunteering my time as a dog walker at a local rescue. This is where I became confused.

I was a natural for getting along with dogs, and suddenly I am meeting so many unstable ones including: Dog aggression, food aggression, human aggression, and so on. How was this happening? Why was it happening? Why were there so many unstable dogs? What could be done about it? The more time I spent working with rescue, the more I saw, including terrible cruelty. I decided to make a difference.

I started studying dog training, and worked with several trainers and behavior experts. I also went to the county and became the 1st Reserve Animal Control Officer (ACO). I wanted to fight animal cruelty, help dogs that really needed help, and understand why so many dogs that come into rescue were unstable. I learned a lot. In many cases where a snare was usually used by and ACO to manage a dog, I learned a much gentler way, usually walking out with the so called aggressive dog on a leash.

What I learned in my experiences on the street is that dogs today are treated much differently then when I was a kid. Dogs don't run free, they don't run with the neighbor's dog, and they are not allowed to run up and greet anyone passing by. They are no longer allowed to be the social, migrating animals that they were meant to be! Instead, they are kept behind walls, always on a leash, and prevented from seeing other dogs and people.

The methods I learned from Animal Control, dog trainers, and behavior experts just didn't feel right to me. The methods were un-natural or even contradicted nature, and certainly didn't seem to fulfill what the dog was missing and really needed. Ideas like trying to rid a dog of aggression through the use of treats, or discipline with the use of chain collars, prong collars, or even electric collars just seemed so un-natural or even wrong. There had to be a better way. It always seemed to me that when I did what felt natural, always worked best. I didn't understand why nor did I always know what to do. I tried to copy the techniques, such as the ones I had seen on TV with "The Dog Whisperer", and I almost got bit!!! What was I doing wrong???

My volunteer work with rescue groups lead me to being on the Board of Directors for the "Humane Society", and a local rescue known as "Paw Placement". At the rescue, we had taken in a particular aggressive dog,  both to dogs and people.

I received an email from a fellow named Mark German, America's Dog Whisperer, advising me what needed to be done. Little did I know that this would lead to a great friendship, and a far deeper understand of dogs that I ever thought possible.

Mark is the CEO of the "America's Dog Whisperer Academy", and has had hands-on experience with dog behavior for many years. He graciously took me on as one of his students and taught me the true meaning of being a part of a pack , a "Pack Leader and a Dog Whisperer". As the result of his teachings, I now work with a pack of over 100 dogs and have taught both the staff members and volunteer workers at numerous rescues and the Humane Society on how to be "Pack Leaders". It really does work!

Now that I am a certified "Dog Whisperer", working with dog owners every day, I am able to help dog owners understand what their dog(s) really needs. I feel like I am really making a difference. Dog owners (many of whom have tried other training methods while spending thousands of dollars) are learning what four things their dog really needs to be stable and happy. A "Dog Whisperer" teaches dog owners (1) how to provide leadership to their dog, (2) why a dog needs to be walked and the best way to walk their dog, (3) how to set rules for the dog that the dog will understand and follow, (4) and the importance of good nutrition and how to feed their dog.

By providing leadership, walks, rules, and good nutrition to their dog, owners soon finds themselves also leading more normal, stable, and gratifying lives... the life they dreamed of having with their dog.

As a "Dog Whisperer", my job is to rehabilitate dogs and train people. We save people and dog's lives. Take back your life, fire your dog, and remember, There's Hope!!!