FernDog – Dog Training and Behavior Consultations in New Jersey

Last week my best furry best friend, Hayley, celebrated her eleventh birthday. Where has the time gone? Was it really ten years ago that I visited that apartment in New York City to see a super hyper pit bull that was being fostered? Back then it was definitely love at first site for both of us and our feelings for each other have only grown over the years. Time really does fly by . . . Hayley has been, and continues to be, such a huge influence in my life. When I decided to adopt a dog back in 2001 … Continue reading →

Yesterday I was at a one-year-old birthday party with my wife and two daughters. About an hour into it I found myself sitting down watch my girls wait to get balloon animals (that would pop in the not so distant future causing a meltdown of three-year-old proportions), when a woman seating close by asked me a question. “Is there some kind of pit bull support group I can join?” she asked with an undertone of frustration. “I’m so sick of people avoiding me on walks or refusing to come into my house because I have a pit bull. He’s the … Continue reading →

One of the things that I (and pretty much all dog trainers) recommend when bringing home a puppy is getting informed early on and beginning training right away. And one of the best and most cost effective ways to do that is to enroll in a puppy class. Puppy classes can be a great way to get some very important information on how to properly raise your puppy, teach the little guy some manners and enable your pup to interact with both people and dogs, scoring him some critical socialization. To me socialization is the #1 thing you should be … Continue reading →

I’m going to tell you something that is going to sound bit surprising: I want to put myself out of business. Yep, you heard me correctly. My new professional goal is to make sure you never hire me. The bulk of my clients call me because they are having some behavior problems with their adult dogs. These dogs are often between the ages of 1 and 3, and the behaviors have usually been going on for a while by the time they actually reach out to me. In almost every case the problem stems from lack of socialization. Personally, I … Continue reading →

Happy New Year everyone! I hope the past year was a great one for you. Today I want to discuss how to make 2012 an even better year for both you and your dog. This is the time when everyone is reassessing their goals and making resolution for the New Year. I’m a big fan of goal setting but I find that most people don’t understand how to go about making those resolutions actually come to pass. Everyone begins year all gung-ho but within a few weeks most people fade out their efforts. Why? The reason most people fail when … Continue reading →

When I first became a dog trainer I very quickly realized that there is one word that has divided dog professionals and has become the cause for much debate, countless arguments and event resentment. Saying this word will cause a dog trainer to either smile with respect or scowl in disgust. That word is Cesar. My beginnings My dog training education started before I even knew that dog training was an actual career. Ten years ago I adopted dog – a pit bull named Hayley. This was my first dog as an adult and I didn’t know what to expect … Continue reading →