Post by michele5611 on Feb 14, 2011 9:35:42 GMT -5
thecelebritycafe.com/feature/interview-victoria-stilwell-02-11-2011
Victoria Stilwell is a celebrated dog trainer, author and television personality. She was a judge on CBS's Greatest American Dog and currently hosts Animal Planet's It's Me or The Dog. Victoria spoke with TheCelebrityCafe.com's Eric Gordon about "man's best friend."
TheCelebrityCafe.com: This season of It’s Me or The Dog is in New York. Have you noticed special challenges to dog owners in the city?
Victoria Stilwell: Dogs in New York are under even more pressure to be social because of small spaces they live in, and because the areas they’re walked in they’re going to meet hundreds of people on the street. The dog has to be completely okay with cars and traffic, okay with other dogs, and very good on the leash. There are not a lot of places for them to run other than small dog parks or Central Park for example. If the dog is not social there’s a problem.
TCC: Are Pit bulls a trouble breed?
VS: No, in fact Pit bulls are some of the most intelligent dogs I’ve ever worked with. They are actually a whole mix of other breeds including terriers. Terriers are very smart and so Pit bulls are some of the smartest.
TCC: So the bad reputation they are often given is unfair?
VS: Yes, I’m giving a talk tonight to local government officials considering registering all Pit bulls. It was meant to be a small talk but exploded into huge thing because the media got wind of it and it’s a very controversial issue. Most people focus on the negatives of the breed. They’re misunderstood dogs. I’m going to give the facts as they are.
TCC: With the brutal winter weather, do you have any tips on dog safety in winter time?
VS: Make sure to take short walks. The dog is shorter than you are so they get cold quicker. With all the chemicals on the street make sure to wash their paws. Get creative in the home. Since your dog gets less exercise in the winter make sure they stay stimulated such as giving their dinner in a treat ball instead of a regular bowl.
TCC: How can a dog owner communicate more effectively with their dog?
VS: Well the old style of training where you are dominant and the dog must learn by submitting to you is highly flawed and very untrue. In fact it is the worst way to train your dog. You have to realize a dog learns in many similar ways to a human; you must take time to give your dog a good K9 education. Positive training is key. You must make the dog feel good about learning and you will get positive results.
TCC: What are some tips for new dog owners?
VS: You must realize that dog ownership will alter your life and that’s normal. Make sure your dog is well socialized. Give your dog training either in a club or with a private trainer.
TCC: What do you mean by socialized?
VS: If you don’t introduce a dog to different situations, environments, all kinds of people, children, men with beards, it will fear what it hasn’t experienced. There is only a short period of time to do that. A dog’s brain develops very quickly and once formed it will affect it the rest of its life. You are responsible for the dog’s success or failure.
TCC: What are some mistakes first time dog owners often make?
VS: Impatience, expecting so much of a dog they want it to greet everyone on the street and be nice to everyone and meet every dog. Dogs don’t want to say hello to everyone just like people don’t. Some people are weird, some dogs are scary. Just be realistic.
TCC: What are some ways to make a dog more comfortable greeting people?
VS: I’m fostering a puppy at the moment and I’m teaching her. I handle her all over: touch her ears, touch the top of head handle like a person would when meeting a dog. When someone meets a dog they extend their hand, smile; these things are threatening in doggie land. I do all of the things someone might do, things she would see as threatening then give her a treat. That way what is seen as a threat in dog world is now okay to respond positively to human language. I’m teaching her that meeting a new person may mean a treat and getting her excited to meet people.
TCC: What kind of dog is she?
VS: She is a Chihuahua-Miniature Pinscher mix. Chihuahuas are known as the biters of the small dog world. They’re great dogs but small ones can get threatened easily and bite. People think big dogs are the problem but often small dogs get threatened. I’m teaching her not to be nippy. Especially when my daughter has friends around I’ve trained her not to be threatened by children.
TCC: What are some tips for having a dog around children?
VS: We must keep kids safe. Kids under the age of 12 are the most likely to be bitten by a dog. I’m setting up a big program around the country to talk in schools to teach bite prevention and dog safety to children. As a mom and a dog lover I see all sides of it.
TCC: Have you always been a dog lover? Is that what got you started in training?
VS: I’ve always had dogs around. My grandmother bred Beagles and I spent a lot of time with her. I always liked to be at her house, I always liked animals. My second job, my support job, was dog walking and then it became dog training. I’ve doing it for 15 years now and I love it.
TCC: How can a dog owner find a good dog trainer?
VS: I’m very concerned about people teaching their dogs correctly and in a humane way. It is difficult to find a trainer you know is good and using humane methods. So I’m very excited. I’ve set up a program, Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, it has been up about nine months now. I personally approve humane trainers and we’re adding more all the time
If you want to find a trainer visit our website Positively.com to find a great humane trainer in your area. The program is growing very well. Dog trainers are completely unregulated; anyone can just become one and a bad one can screw your dog up for life. Our trainers are the crème de la crème.
Victoria Stilwell is a celebrated dog trainer, author and television personality. She was a judge on CBS's Greatest American Dog and currently hosts Animal Planet's It's Me or The Dog. Victoria spoke with TheCelebrityCafe.com's Eric Gordon about "man's best friend."
TheCelebrityCafe.com: This season of It’s Me or The Dog is in New York. Have you noticed special challenges to dog owners in the city?
Victoria Stilwell: Dogs in New York are under even more pressure to be social because of small spaces they live in, and because the areas they’re walked in they’re going to meet hundreds of people on the street. The dog has to be completely okay with cars and traffic, okay with other dogs, and very good on the leash. There are not a lot of places for them to run other than small dog parks or Central Park for example. If the dog is not social there’s a problem.
TCC: Are Pit bulls a trouble breed?
VS: No, in fact Pit bulls are some of the most intelligent dogs I’ve ever worked with. They are actually a whole mix of other breeds including terriers. Terriers are very smart and so Pit bulls are some of the smartest.
TCC: So the bad reputation they are often given is unfair?
VS: Yes, I’m giving a talk tonight to local government officials considering registering all Pit bulls. It was meant to be a small talk but exploded into huge thing because the media got wind of it and it’s a very controversial issue. Most people focus on the negatives of the breed. They’re misunderstood dogs. I’m going to give the facts as they are.
TCC: With the brutal winter weather, do you have any tips on dog safety in winter time?
VS: Make sure to take short walks. The dog is shorter than you are so they get cold quicker. With all the chemicals on the street make sure to wash their paws. Get creative in the home. Since your dog gets less exercise in the winter make sure they stay stimulated such as giving their dinner in a treat ball instead of a regular bowl.
TCC: How can a dog owner communicate more effectively with their dog?
VS: Well the old style of training where you are dominant and the dog must learn by submitting to you is highly flawed and very untrue. In fact it is the worst way to train your dog. You have to realize a dog learns in many similar ways to a human; you must take time to give your dog a good K9 education. Positive training is key. You must make the dog feel good about learning and you will get positive results.
TCC: What are some tips for new dog owners?
VS: You must realize that dog ownership will alter your life and that’s normal. Make sure your dog is well socialized. Give your dog training either in a club or with a private trainer.
TCC: What do you mean by socialized?
VS: If you don’t introduce a dog to different situations, environments, all kinds of people, children, men with beards, it will fear what it hasn’t experienced. There is only a short period of time to do that. A dog’s brain develops very quickly and once formed it will affect it the rest of its life. You are responsible for the dog’s success or failure.
TCC: What are some mistakes first time dog owners often make?
VS: Impatience, expecting so much of a dog they want it to greet everyone on the street and be nice to everyone and meet every dog. Dogs don’t want to say hello to everyone just like people don’t. Some people are weird, some dogs are scary. Just be realistic.
TCC: What are some ways to make a dog more comfortable greeting people?
VS: I’m fostering a puppy at the moment and I’m teaching her. I handle her all over: touch her ears, touch the top of head handle like a person would when meeting a dog. When someone meets a dog they extend their hand, smile; these things are threatening in doggie land. I do all of the things someone might do, things she would see as threatening then give her a treat. That way what is seen as a threat in dog world is now okay to respond positively to human language. I’m teaching her that meeting a new person may mean a treat and getting her excited to meet people.
TCC: What kind of dog is she?
VS: She is a Chihuahua-Miniature Pinscher mix. Chihuahuas are known as the biters of the small dog world. They’re great dogs but small ones can get threatened easily and bite. People think big dogs are the problem but often small dogs get threatened. I’m teaching her not to be nippy. Especially when my daughter has friends around I’ve trained her not to be threatened by children.
TCC: What are some tips for having a dog around children?
VS: We must keep kids safe. Kids under the age of 12 are the most likely to be bitten by a dog. I’m setting up a big program around the country to talk in schools to teach bite prevention and dog safety to children. As a mom and a dog lover I see all sides of it.
TCC: Have you always been a dog lover? Is that what got you started in training?
VS: I’ve always had dogs around. My grandmother bred Beagles and I spent a lot of time with her. I always liked to be at her house, I always liked animals. My second job, my support job, was dog walking and then it became dog training. I’ve doing it for 15 years now and I love it.
TCC: How can a dog owner find a good dog trainer?
VS: I’m very concerned about people teaching their dogs correctly and in a humane way. It is difficult to find a trainer you know is good and using humane methods. So I’m very excited. I’ve set up a program, Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, it has been up about nine months now. I personally approve humane trainers and we’re adding more all the time
If you want to find a trainer visit our website Positively.com to find a great humane trainer in your area. The program is growing very well. Dog trainers are completely unregulated; anyone can just become one and a bad one can screw your dog up for life. Our trainers are the crème de la crème.
I look forward to learning much here