Training You to Train Your Dog

"I don't care that your dog wants to run up and sniff the other dog's butt; don't let him!" Yes, it's that first heeling session in a dog training class full of inquisitive, headstrong pups, and all have their eyes on the prize: being the alpha dog. Charlotte Foster, who has been training dogs for twenty years, is the host for this grueling, no-holds-barred canine/human six-week smackdown combining footage of dogs and their owners (or, in many cases, humans and their owners) and out-of-class demos with trained dogs. Reminding dog owners that "you are not [the dog's] slave," Foster (a no-nonsense, down-to-earth type whom you could easily picture telling a wimpy dog owner to "drop and give me fifty, maggot!") runs her human and canine charges through their paces on basic commands, such as "sit," "stay," "down," and "come," while also discussing training leashes and collars, dog food, and house rules (height matters: let your dog on the sofa with you, and he'll thinks he's your equal, or--to use the technical terminology--that you're his bitch). Viewers will also learn how to handle problems (i.e., what to do "if the dog is flippin' you off") and about the special pitfalls for retired folk and stay-at-homes, who tend to pet the dog off and on all day ("he's drawing a paycheck just for being alive!"). Since there's a bit of a power struggle going on right now between myself and our year-old Bernese mountain dog, Dylan, I decided to try some of Foster's alpha dog techniques myself. After six weeks, we're doing pretty well: yes, the fetal position in the crate is a little uncomfortable on my legs all night, but if I'm able to make it outside the door without soiling the carpet the next morning, I am generally rewarded with a yummy treat. A solid addition to the dog training video oeuvre, this sure to be popular guide is definitely recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)