Rationalizing Compassionate Training (Guest Contribution for Maxwell and Me!)

From the day this site was first created, my goal was to help people better understand and connect with the animals around them.  Imagine how thrilled I was when Denise "Dee" Blackman over at Maxwell and Me! invited me to be a contributing writer so that I could further my mission. 

Based in sunny Florida, Dee is a long-time animal enthusiast, advocate, and trainer.  Her site, named after her Black Labrador, is dedicated to providing a variety of helpful perspectives on all things related to Man's (and WOman's) Best Friend.  Dee also runs Maxwell and Me!'s sister site, All My Pets and Me!, which offers a similar resource for all other companion animals. 

This is my first in a series of pieces for Maxwell and Me!

Because You Love Him: A Rationale for Compassionate Training

You know the story.  You’re swooned by those big brown eyes and happily wagging tail, and commit wholeheartedly to providing that dog the forever home he deserves.   And then he shreds your good shoes, pounces on your guests, and nearly pulls your arm out of its socket on his walks, turning your puppy love song into the “No-No!  Bad Dog!” symphony.

As a dog parent, I sympathize with the desire for the quickest fix in restoring harmony at home.  But as an animal consultant and advocate, I stand firmly behind my belief that our relationships with our dogs, like with other people, are worth the time and effort it takes to build them. ...

Click here to read the full article.