Here’s the fifth episode in our new series of dog-training videos–featuring Ronnie Smith and Susanna Love of Ronnie Smith Kennels. The Smith family is legendary in the dog-training world. Ronnie’s uncle is the bird-dog legend Delmar Smith, recognized as the founder of the Smith Training Method and a Field Trial Hall of Fame inductee. Ronnie has been training dogs since he was fourteen years old and took over the family business in 1982. Susanna joined him in 2006.
In this episode, Susanna discusses how to communicate with a dog through “cues,” signals that let the dog know that you want something. Note that the goal is to make small cues, rather than punitive ones. The release is just as important as the pressure applied.
Previous Episodes:
Episode 1: The Mindset of the Dog
Episode 2: Training is a Lifestyle
Episode 3: Training Equipment
Episode 4: Maintaining a Calm Demeanor