Writing

Patience is key to training pets
Q-C dog trainer praised by clients for technique

By: Kelly Steuck - Published in the Quad-City times on Thursday, January 15, 2004

Pet trainer Tina Gannon gives ozzy, a Maltese, a treat during a training session at PetsMart in Davenport. Photo by: John Schultz/Quad-City Times

Surrounded by dogs in motion, Tina Gannon demonstrates that patience is a virtue.

As a dog trainer, she sees that a lack of patience is one of the main reasons that owners give up their pets.

"I get satisfaction in seeing the dogs succeed, knowing that I'm here to keep dogs in their homes," Gannon said.

Gannon joined PetsMart on Elmore Avenue in Davenport about three years ago after six years as a veterinarian technician. She took 120 hours of training, which involved studying with area trainers in Chicago and Kansas City, to become an accredited dog trainer. She teaches 10 to 15 classes a week with 50 to 55 canine students.

"Too many people take a job just for the money," Gannon said, "but that's not the reason I'm here."

Michael and Priscilla Mayfield of Long Grove, Iowa, took their eight-month-old Afghan hound, Taharrah, to Gannon's classes last summer. Taharrah had some behavioral issues when it came to walking. The couple was so pleased with the results of the class that they took extra effort to reward the trainer.

Pet trainer Tina Gannon watches a beagle named Peak-A-Boo explore during class. She often teaches from a dog's-eye view. Photo by: John Schultz/Quad-City Times

"Tina is a wonderful instructor, much less a ‘genius' in problem-solving," the Mayfields wrote to PetsMart's corporate office.

Gannon's hard work and accomplishments described by the Mayfields earned her a pewter dog-bone pin reading TLC. She proudly displays the pin on her name badge.

The Mayfields said Gannon "not only identifies and singles out the problem, but gains the love and attention of the dog along with the admiration from the people in her class."

Gannon runs her classes using trial-and-error methods and positive reinforcement. She believes this is one of the keys to her success. Not only is it more humane than the choke-collar approach to training, but it also teaches the animals accomplishment rather than fear and pain, she said.

In addition to showering her students with words of praise, treats and hugs, Gannon often crawls around on all four with them during class. Teaching class at the dog's level makes the animals feel more comfortable. The students even receive a brief recess in the middle of their session to relax and get to know each other.

Gannon's classes educate the owners as much as teaching the dogs to obey. She shows them how to massage their puppies so the animals will get used to the human touch. That decreases their fear of strangers, including veterinarians. Gannon also uses the approach that actions speak louder than words by using signs to train the animals before moving on to vocal commands.

"A new place, new dogs, new people — it's going to be hard for the dogs, so you have to be patient," Gannon said.

Gannon has been bitten a few times in her job, but she maintains that the dogs lashed out only because they were scared, not mean.

"I don't believe any breed is meaner than another," she said. "Dogs aren't born to kill or fight, they are trained to be that way."

Any dog is trainable, as long as the owner uses repetition and persistence, she maintains. In the case of dogs who may be extremely shy or have behavioral problems, "we just take a step back" and the pets are given private lessons until they are ready to be in a group surrounding.

Anyone who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks hasn't met Tina Gannon.