October 15, 2007 01:06 pm
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Maureen Rodriguez felt there was a need for positive puppy and dog training in the Mankato area, so she pioneered puppy socialization classes years ago and never looked back.
She, herself, had brought home an 8-week-old pup more than 20 years ago and was surprised when she was told she’d have to wait untill the puppy was 6 months old to receive training.
Rodriguez and her team at Me and My Master Canine Connection tell people every day about that myth. Puppies need only be a few weeks old to receive training.
“I felt puppies needed more,” she said. “First-time puppy buyers have no idea how to potty train, socialize, stop biting, or use a kennel for their new puppy.”
After a while, pet owners, veterinarians and groomers across the Mankato area started to see the benefits of early puppy training when puppies came in behaving better. And Rodriguez is proud of that success.
Q&A
So, I’m guessing you’re a dog person. Or do you have a secret affinity for cats, too?
I will say I am much more of a dog person than a cat person, although cats are great pets.
When did your love for animal’s blossom?
I have had animals all my life. My mother spent a lot of time with our animals training them to be good pets.
I could take my dogs anywhere with me, as there were not all the ordinances and laws there are today. I never remember issues like you see today. Animals are great companions to everyday life.
What pets do you have at home?
I have three shelties — Ryver, 7, Willow, 5, and Timber, 4 — a rescue golden named Scout, 1, and a cockatiel named Chico, 15.
Being a dog guru, are your animals always perfectly behaved?
I guess I will say they have some good manners, but I have found nothing perfect, and my dogs are not perfect.
They are great pets for our family. We work continuously on our good manners.
What’s the greatest misconception people have about their puppies or dogs?
I guess I would have to say that most people feel their dog is a little person in a fur coat.
What’s the most common puppy problem people come to your classes to remedy?
For puppies, it is puppy biting and house training. For dogs, it usually is jumping on people and walking on a leash.
Talk about keys to successful training. Is it consistency? Is it positive reinforcement?
I would say consistency, repetition and positive reinforcement.
Do you work with aggressive animals at Me and My Master? If so, have you ever been wounded by an unruly dog?
We do try and help people who are having problems with their dogs, and some are aggressive. If the problems are too severe, we recommend someone at the U of M.
I have never been wounded badly, but I have been bitten a few times.
What are a few tips to raising a happy, mild-tempered dog?
First, research the breed of dog you think you want, then the breeder. With a well-bred dog, training will be much easier.
Socialization, basic training, exercise (dogs need 50 percent mental exercise and 50 percent physical exercise), vet care, grooming and love are all very necessary to having a well-behaved, happy dog.
Most people think training their dog on their own will work and most of the time it does not. Others feel one set of classes is enough.
Most of these people end up somewhere for training and have double the problems. The most common question I get is, “How long will it take to train my dog?”
What’s the best part about your job?
Training — Seeing people with a well-mannered dog.
Dog daycare — Seeing clients take home well-exercised dogs, and when both dog and owner he had a hard day at work.
Grooming — Seeing a beautiful well-groomed dog.
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