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Posted on Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.

Area dog trainer takes on the toughest cases, teaches owners

By Lorrie Shaw

dannydavis1.JPG

Photo courtesy of Danny Davis

Danny Davis has his work cut out for him many days, but nonetheless, he enjoys it. His days are long — sometimes in upwards of 12 hours a day. He frequently sees struggle with those that he works with, and his mission is to change the way that they see themselves — and the way that others seem them — offering a second chance of sorts.

Davis doesn't deal with people in his hands-on work. He deals with dogs — dogs who have behavioral issues, emphasizing that his specialty is addressing problems like aggression and anxiety.

His first task is to get through to the dogs, teaching them new ways of seeing the world, and then he teaches their owners to, in his words, "keep the dog balanced".

Each day is spent with his own dogs and clients that are housed at his facility (those receive intensive training for behavioral problems), and then a few hours at Friends of Michigan Animal Shelter, working with animals there. Davis also works with cases at the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

In my Q and A with Davis, owner of K-9 Behavior Rehabilitation in Belleville, he details his inspiration and his mission.

How did you get started in this business, Danny? It's not a very common line of work.

Well, years ago I had a neighbor who had a pit bull. The dog was alone much of the time and had very little interaction with anyone. I hated seeing them live that way, so I offered to stop over to spend time and also walk them.

In my time with the dog, I realized that they had some behavior issues — aggression — and started working with them.on getting it corrected.

Things started from there. In 2007, after spending time at the Humane Society of Huron Valley working with dogs and walking them, there was a rottweiler — Daddy — that showed up there to be harbored for a time due to a domestic violence situation at home. He had behavioral issues — aggression. I started working with Daddy; interacting, walking, exercising. He got better, slowly.

As it turned out, the owner ended up relinquishing Daddy because their situation made it too difficult to keep the dog. I ended up adopting him.

Not long after, I ended up rescuing a pit bull who was used as a bait dog in dog fighting and rehabilitated him, too. He ended up being my second dog.

I saw that there was potiential for change and decided to start offering my expertise to rehabilitate other dogs. I then ended up rescuing and rehabilitating several other dogs in similar situations, and now I have a pack of eight, including rottweilers, pit bulls, Labradors and a rat terrier.

They act as helpers to assist me in rehabilitating clients' dogs at my facility. I bring some clients back to the facility so that they can get the help that they need; they are usually ones who are the worst cases.

How is it that you're able to get through to a dog that is behaving aggressively?

As pack animals, they need to rely on the pack for survival. Every pack has a leader, and I'm the leader. If I'm displeased with their behavior, they recognize that — and they'll want to correct that.

For example, if I'm working with a dog and we're doing something fun, and then they exhibit a disagreeable behavior — the fun stops. In order for the fun to continue, they need to have favorable behavior.

When someone has a dog that needs someone like you to intervene and rehabilitate it, how does that process begin?

With a phone call. I do a phone consultation with the client, and from what they describe to me with regard to the dogs' behavior, I can pretty much figure out what their issues are, and I start a plan of action from there. I will go out to their home and demonstrate for them how things need to work.

I use what I call a fulfillment formula: Exercise, discipline/leadership, then affection. Dogs need to be exercised — most are not getting enough activity, and that is where most of the behavior problems start — even separation anxiety.

Also, dogs are pack animals and need to be dealt with that way. They need to know that you are the Alpha, and once they understand that, then they can earn your affection.

Too many people give affection before anything else. That's where they go wrong. They are not acting like the leaders that they should be. I teach clients that they need to have a calm state of mind so that in turn, their dogs can be calm and submissive, well-behaved; balanced.

Have you ever had a canine that you couldn't rehabilitate?

Yes. A while back, a bull mastiff came to me in a rescue situation, with aggression and anxiety issues — especially towards other animals. Realizing that inbreeding, sadly, was part of her problems, I tried rehabilitating her. It was evident that the outcome wasn't going to be successful.

I decided to keep her since I could work with her. I still have her; she has a pretty decent life. She gets the same from me that other dogs do — the exercise, the attention, etc. — but she has to be kept away from the other dogs.

****

Danny Davis can be reached by telephone 734-474-9230

Lorrie Shaw is lead pets blogger for AnnArbor.com and frequently writes about dogs. She welcomes your contact via email, and to follow her daily writing and pet adventures as owner of Professional Pet Sitting on Twitter.

Comments

cowdogsrule

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 11:42 p.m.

I have known Danny for the last 4 years. He helped me with my dog and I have observed him many times with his dogs and other people's dogs at his facility and at local parks. Danny is truly gifted when it comes to dogs. Period. What he has is not something that you can obtain. You can't learn it. You can't copy it. You can't buy it or even work to have it. You either have it, or you don't. That kind of God-given gift and talent is rare and Danny Davis has it. He is truly a "dog whisperer." All you need to do is observe him with your dog and you will see the magic unfold. Danny does not just use Cesar Millan's techniques. He uses a multitude of techniques including positive reinforcement and training strategies like Victoria Stilwell's on Animal Planet. Danny is a true professional and when one is gifted and talented, one doesn't need certificates on the wall or alphabet soup after your name. He has an intuitive connection with dogs and understands their behavior having observed & studied them for years. Danny is incredibly devoted to his dogs. He will go without eating if it means his dogs will not go hungry. He literally has saved HUNDREDS of dogs from certain death. I know. I have been a witness to the 180 degree turn in the lives of the dogs he has rescued. He saved my dog from "death row" at HSHV. She was in "blue lock" after having bitten a volunteer. She was due to be euthanized when Danny intervened and convinved the staff to allow him to work with her. Today she is a beautiful, healthy 4 year old girl with a full and happy life who goes nuts when she sees Danny! I've lost track of all the dogs he has rehabiliated who went on to good, healthy homes. Danny offers adoptive 'parents' a lot of support and training to ensure that what skills his dogs have learned are continued in their new homes. So, before someone criticizes what he does, they should know what they are talking about and know the person a

knows dogs

Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.

You're right Lorrie, being unregulated, many will hang out a shingle without any former formal training, as evidenced by this article. That's my point. By interviewing "these guys", you are giving them a platform and inadvertently promoting their techniques. Aggressive techniques, such as the ones this trainer uses, are often counter productive to the problem they are claiming to solve. They only serve to suppress the behavior until one day it unfortunately surfaces at a very inconvenient time harming an innocent person or animal. The "trainer" meanwhile is nowhere to be found. It's my opinion, that you would be doing a greater service to the community, if you wrote about or interviewed trainers that utilize positive reinforcement techniques, using the least intrusive effective behavior intervention, where the dog has a fighting chance not to be harmed and to be treated with dignity.

aawolve

Mon, Apr 18, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.

Dignity? They're dogs. Wasn't an article put up here recently on assigning human attributes to animals? I found it to be very interesting, and recommend it to anyone still confused about the differences between our respective species.

knows dogs

Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 2:49 a.m.

People like Danny that see a few episodes of Cesar Millan and then try to mimic him and his techniques are a danger to the dog, the owner, the community and the dog training profession. I've heard about Danny and his submissive techniques. Not necessary Danny if you understood how dogs learn. Would the author trust her dogs to this guy???

Lorrie Shaw

Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.

To continue, most vets are not comfortable dealing with behavior issues, so they refer to a trainer. (There are few true animal behaviorists in this vicinity.) From there, it's really important for one to educate themselves on the qualifications of the trainer that they have been referred to, or that they want to hire. Understanding their philosophies, techniques and expected outcome is key - especially the latter point. Lofty expectations can be detrimental, as can some philosophies and techniques. There are some dogs that cannot be helped, sadly. The industry of dog training and animal behaviorists is unregulated. Anyone can call themselves either, and you'll never hear me refer to myself as such. That being said, there are different people, businesses and ideas that are brought to the attention of the pets section - and it's my job to find out about them, ask good questions that I think our readers would want answers to so that they can proceed if they so wish. The information that is contained in this Q & A is simply that, the questions that I posed, and the responses that I was given. The piece is in no way an endorsement. To answer your question, I already have very qualified dog professionals that I trust if the need should ever arise. Thanks so much for your comment. I hope that I clarified any position on how things are handled.

Lorrie Shaw

Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 12:37 p.m.

knows dogs: Thanks for your comment. Whenever one delves into the area of dog training and canine behavior, there can be a slippery slope. Each canine couldn't be more different and several factors come into play: breed, age, the dogs' background - and the overall comprehension of dog behavior on the part of the owner. Basic training is easy enough, really - it all has to do with the work that is done on the part of the human. Good dog trainers undoubtedly will tell you that they are training the people - not the dogs! Being consistent with the teachings and in many ways, just incorporating the teachings into day to day life is effective. Dogs are always willing to learn anything if it is fun and you're fully engaged with them. It all comes down to a balance of operant and classical conditioning - done the right way, of course. Now, correcting problem behavior, that's another story. If a dog is exhibiting a true behavior problem, (which is hard for some people to recognize, as some behaviors are just breed-specific traits and there is no "training" those out of a dog - one just ends up with a really confused, frustrated dog), then a first line of action is to contact the vet to rule out illnesses/pain.

treetowncartel

Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 3:37 a.m.

I'm the Alpha in my house, the dog submits me to me on all but one occassion, coming in from the backyard. I know I created the problem when she was a pup becuase I did not go out with her when she was put in the backayard o relieve herself. I was lazy with kids and I am now paying the price with a dog who wants me to chase her in the backyard. I am slowly having sucess with the treat reward method, whic I turly hate. This is the first time in a long time I havehad to train a dog without the aid of another dog. I had a lot of sucess with the the other dog. I would suggest that anyone witha dog in its final years who is planning on getting another dog do it while the older dog is able to show the young dog some behavior, e,g, modeling. The younger dogs compete so wel and want to act like the old dog it is amazing. i kick myself for not realizing this a year or two ago.

Lorrie Shaw

Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 4:01 a.m.

treetowncartel: Dogs do love a good game of chase, don't they? I agree; an older dog who is well-adjusted can teach younger dogs so much. And why not? They communicate in the same language, and yes, the older ones do pattern good behavior for the young ones so easily. I have a client who just introduced a young dog into a household with a much older, wiser pooch, and it didn't take long for the young fella to understand what's up. It's so interesting to watch them together. She has a newfound spring in her step, and now has a new role that she gladly seems to play. (But he wants SO badly to play with her; she'll have none of it.) :)

gladys

Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 8:34 p.m.

Sounds like he's using Cesar Milan's techniques - glad to see that is available in the area.

oneofsix

Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.

A question comes to mind here. Can two people be the alpha in a household with a dog in training, or is it best to keep the discipline assigning to one person in the household? I ask this because there is a possibility, that the dog will respond differently to more then one person in the home. Might walk well for one family member, but act up for another. Why do I keep thinking of my children, this same scenario applies to them...

Lorrie Shaw

Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.

oneofsix: Excellent point. I know that in households that I come into contact with, there is typically more than one human - and sometimes, multiple dogs comprising the dynamic of the household. That certainly changes the whole thinking of one "alpha" to keep order within the unit, it seems, doesn't it? Interestingly enough, ethologists, most profoundly, L. David Mech (after a 13 year study on wild wolves who are in "natural families") are finding that even wolves don't live within a "pack", but more of a "family" unit. The interesting thing is, that even in "packs", the unit isn't static - it does evolve over time, as members age and grow. So, does the idea of a fixed "alpha" adhere? I guess that's only a question only a behaviorist or ethologist could answer. It goes without saying that everyone within the family needs to be on board as far as teaching a canine "the way of the world", as I say - in a consistent, appropriate manner - even the other dogs! Thanks for your two cents!

pvitaly

Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.

How much does this kind of service cost?

Lorrie Shaw

Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 11:17 p.m.

pvitaly: Good question! As a rule, I leave questions like that to the person providing the service, as it may vary for different reasons. Mr. Davis can be reached at the number above and I'm sure that he'd be glad to leave any questions for you. Thanks for your querie! Much appreciated!