Robert, I think this is my first youtube comment ever ... after years and years of watching clips - Lots of yours! This clip - your heart in what you said and how you said it - it was powerful for me. I needed to hear this. My fantasy of “perfection” has tripped me up in so much of life. As I’m getting older (52) and growing, learning to accept the moment (and my dog in his moment) - not as I WANT it to be, but as it IS - life is getting richer and richer. I’m learning to love the nicks and all the imperfect “swords” (moments, dogs, people and myself). Thanks for all that you do!!!
Robert, Thanks for this honest snapshot of your life. I'm going to keep this message in mind next time I adopt a dog. Years ago, my family rescued a female Mal that was a most amazing dog. She was tied to a drug house across the road from my workplace. When the house burned down, she chewed through her lead and escaped to live off of the land for a few weeks. The drug dealer never came back to the house to find her. Being on the edge of government land and farmland, she did well to avoid being eaten by coyotes. It took a while for her to trust people at our greenhouse and distribution centre, but hunger and companionship is stronger than fear and she soon became the shop dog and co-pilot to our truck drivers. I took her to the SPCA and had her checked out, spayed, chipped and shots updated and legally adopted. (The drug dealer who owned her had not chipped her, thankfully). In a short amount of time, we realized WE were COMPLETELY and UTTERLY unequipped(?) to train and deal with this dog. She could clear a 6 foot fence without thinking, and an 8-12 foot fence with a run up and bouncing up the corners like a ninja. Unlatching and opening the gate and climbing the fruit trees in the garden was a thing too. More than once, we watched her through the window in amazement... walking on the top rail of the fence like a cat. Turning lights on and off and opening cupboard doors was a game. She herded people and livestock naturally. After pulling a few salmon out of the river and stalking and nearly catching ducks, we thought we had adopted an feral dog. Knowing we were way out of our depth and without success finding a trainer to educate us and help us understand what to do, we made to decision to rehome to a working farm. My wife's uncle was a cattle rancher and used dogs to herd, so we knew there was a community of ranchers for her to go to. The cattle ranches in Western Canada can cover 1000's of acres of range land in the mountains, so many ranchers still use dogs and horses to work the herd. Ranchers don't have ages and ages to train dogs, so they hunt for dogs that can do the job fast and learn on the fly. They only take the best and brightest working dogs, so given her high drive and high intelligence we gambled that she would make the cut. She did. It was the best decision of my life to find her a home where she could be put to use for the natural abilities she exhibited. Sadly, she was spayed before we really knew how incredible she was naturally without being trained to a high level. If I had to do it again, I would definitely wait to find that out and not deny the working lines a most incredible dog.
Because of you, I have a more powerful relationship with my dog and during this health crisis I used this time to learn from you and know my own mistakes, thank you so much 😊
Agreed. My pup & I do a cpl super shot lessons sec times a day. I treat each like a chance to do better than my misteps in the previous session. Food, naps & fun in between. It's a long road. But I rely on Robert! Cabral to talk me down on a reg basis! Thank you so much for what you share with us!
Hi Robert Im 15 years old and iv watched sooo much of your videos iv been soo motivated to dog training and all of your videos have made me a better trainer i look up to you and i want dogs to have a better life i would love to show you how well i have my 7 month old german shepherd trained with obedience thanks again Robert keep up the videos!
Wow, I'm really impressed with your intent on creating an obedient German shepherd at such a young age. I'm about 24 now, I'm no amature in the training world. There's so much to learn. When we stop conjuring solutions, is really when training hits a wall. Keep improving and don't be closed minded. I wish you the best. I personally spend my entire day finding solutions, equipment and buying specialized programs and routines. Keeping consistent, to the Nickle. Very key! 🔑
Oh Robert. I "need"dogs. What reason to even get out of bed without a dog? I to have suffered severe depression. I am trying to write a book as it took a Pack of 3 amazing dogs to put me back together again. I have written 2 parts of the introduction and doing so from the dogs perspective. I only lost Y-Y 2 years a go and simply can't yet. It took me 5 years to talk about Inky, a once in a life time dog. Chapters 1 Zelly, and chapter 2 Inky are on my channel. I read them but you can see its a struggle. In regards bad lives, so important to not give the abusers your power by becoming a victim. I am not a victim and will never be. I have such respect for your honesty and openness about yourself. Thanks for being who you are.
Instead of “doing it 1,000 times”, try “doing it 1,000 different ways”... while repetition helps, reiterating training by showing or luring a different way seems to help so much more to cement the concept! 💖 good luck!
It's a beautiful story! Don't be afraid to be sensitive that means you're a real Good Man Thank you for sharing this part of yourself with us. I am Touched by your story I've had a lot of struggles myself the anxiety and depression and I know it's hard. Thank you for the story
Robert I really like you. I love what you just shared and from my life experiences, I sense strongly that you are really in touch with yourself and your dogs. Thank you🙏😊
Thank you. You speak truth. As a Puppy Raiser, I put so much on myself. We are here for others not ourselves, but I find myself trying too hard to produce a perfect guide dog and wanting to change another person's life. I love what I do, but need to relax. Thank you for being honest. I feel where you are coming from. You spoke volumes! Hugs to Jimi!
LOL about dogs lunging at other dogs. My Peke started lunging at other dogs on our walks. Like in your example, he was just excited about seeing another dog. So, I began asking him to sit, rewarding the sit, and then asking the approaching person to let their dog come up to my Peke. It only took a few times before he began to understand that by sitting and remaining sitting he gained access to another dog. I still do this with him from time to time just to change things up but he has totally stopped lunging toward other dogs and now looks to me for direction when other dogs approach.
This is what my gsd puppy does, shes about 6 months. Working on her excitement for other dogs, she sits and waits but the dogs she sees are in their yards so they cant really approach her. Any other suggestions to help keep her from pulling?
Thank you for all that you do and being so open with your struggles. I think it's amazing how devoted you are to your discipline and people can see that you genuinely care about what you do.
Oh no I missed this live! Grateful for ALL you do! Watching now. Favor balance wholeness vibrations♾💜💚♾Dogs are one of my favorite parts of this experience here on earth!🐾🐾❤️🐾🐾💙🐾🐾💜🐾🐾💚
Thanks to you Robert bringing my Belgian Tervuren puppy into my home with my rescue dogs has been a tremendous success. After using crates and very short and supervised interactions as you've advised my rescue greyhound and my Great Dane mix have accepted him as part of the family. Especially the greyhound which came as a shock to me, she's usually very aloof with other dogs and has little patience for rudeness (I imagine like Maya) and yet she cuddles with him and let's him chew on her ears. I'm so grateful for the work you do and the knowledge you share.
I found Robert by sheer chance last year when I was going through a hard time after my Welsh Springer age 5 was diagnosed with GME through joining Robert's membership he encouraged me to get my act together for both my dogs sakes and train and have fun, I had always trained them but was feeling very low about knowing time wasn't on Bala's side, we had a fantastic last few months learning new things and having fun, and now he is helping Braegan and I to strengthen our relationship as we adjust to just us two. So thank you Robert and Janet for giving me a helping hand during one of my hardest challenges.
Dear Robert, you touched my heart very deeply by telling so frankly about the challenges in your life and the sight on them and how to overcome........ Thank you very much. You'r a blessing to human beings and to dogs. Numbers 6.24- 26. 🌹
Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself. You are hard on yourself because you care. I find that to be an admirable quality. Very nice podcast. Missed it live but enjoying it now.
As you speak your thoughts, it has touched my. Heart. It's as if my thoughts are coming out of your mouth. My Bella and Samuel are my babies. When I have had a bad day , they make it bareable. When I'm feeling on top of the world, happy. They make it even better. Car Pi Diem my friend. Debra Pierce Knott from West Virginia.
Your background is part of the reason why I respect you and watch your videos, of course nothing against all the other trainers out there but for most it doesn't seem to resonate the way it does with you, they're mostly doing it for money or because they enjoy being around dogs, but your principles and values really show in your training!
I've had 7 rescue dogs (and 3 pedigree pups) my last rescue was a nervous wreck and this time I fell into the sympathy/soft approach, letting him get away stuff. I've now a new pup and have started retraining my rescue and am astounded how he is responding at 7 years old. He will always have his querks but I love the oddities in all my dog's past and present. Love these videos and in my 50s still picking up new tips.
Thank you for this great video. I have learned so much from you and I want to thank you. I am having so much fun with my Jack Russell. She is 6 months now and for the most part past the mouthing. Thank God. She is very smart and is always amazing me with new things she has learned. She knows the names of her toys. Some of them she knows by 2 names..thank you and Janet for all you have done for me and Cookie. P S. I know what you mean about loosing a dog. I was devastated to loose my Australian Kelpie-Board. Collie mix. I felt it was my fault that I didn't take care of her right. The Vet that killed her has botched another spay and killed another dog. This has relieved my mind. But, my heart took along time to mend. Cookie has helped a lot. God Bless you and Janet for all you do.
Wow. I truly appreciate you sharing like this. One of the things I tell my clients is that their dogs arent robots. I always expect more from humans cause I feel they should know better.
Thank you Robert for this video (I don't know how miss it in the past). Really awesome one. And as usual, you are 100% honest, kind but straight in the face. Grüße aus Transsylvanien!
Robert, I don’t expect you to read this... I just wanted to say thank you..This really help me with my German shepherd, Siegfried, and with issues in my life ...thank you
I just do not understand why USA treat their veterans so badly? The only country I ever want to live in is Israel!! Stuck in South Africa, I am moving to a rural village with 1200 people. Me and my Malinois x German Shepherd and my old female golden retriever and 3 of my grandchildren are joining me on this adventure. Adversity is so good for us, it makes us grow and gives us experience. We have to be uncomfortable to grow. Thanks for this inspiring video
Thank you for sharing your vulnerabilities. Even more respect for you after listening to this podcast. It helps to know even you can have challenges with your dogs as we all do. I definitely can relate to you with your discipline, honour and integrity from martial arts that translates into who you are in life. Respect that you judge people by their character. To me, you embody the tenants of Bushido. Good health and happiness to you.
I was about to make a comment almost exactly the same as LittleNinjai, so I am just going to add my personal experience. I have been battling a burn out and depression for the past few years, finally getting much better. I got a dog 8 months ago, and from day 1 she's been happy, confident, mentally and emotionally very stable and resilient. Truly my rock and my ray of light. It's unbelievable how she channels her strong energy to me. Dogs truly are godsend. I am new to dog training and I just take it step by step with her. She's very responsive and receptive, loves to cooperate. Due to my burn out (I had been super active before my entire life) I also don't have big expectations of her. I take her to many activities but my main focus s is that she's having fun, just as you always say. Thank you for your wonderful video.
I'm so thankful I stumbled upon you (someone on another trainer's FB page posted one of your videos). The love of dogs should allow you to enjoy the challenges that come with the journey of training rather than only focusing on the (fully trained/matured) destination. Having said that, the wealth of valuable information you share makes the wonderful training adventure with every dog clear, positive and designed to keep the big picture of a beautiful bond in mind at all times. You are a pleasure to listen to and learn from. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And God said, I will send them without wings, so no one suspects they are angels.
Interesting... not always easy to share the personal, so thanks for that. And great the way you've used different methods to help you overcome and move on in your life; that you've used things like the dogs to help in the process and thus not only helping yourself but helping them, too, or their owners, etc.
Your story really hits home with me. I’ve trained horses all my life, I had a shoulder replacement and I’m facing another surgery of the other shoulder. I’ve always had dogs since I was nine years old ! collies Dobermans ,shelter dogs ,dogs I picked up off the street. I have 2 Very High Dr., Czechoslovakian German Shepherd females not related. They are both spayed. When people say don’t get to females now I understand why. They are a challenge but it’s what I needed ! Your videos i. have trained from the bottom up. We are now working on hand signals and I know you’re not a fan. But these dogs took me to a place , I had to do it for them to make them the best they could be and I had to learn how to do it for them so they would be great dogs. It’s like training horses that I did for 30 years. If I could give any advice to anyone it would be consistency. You can call a sits Banana as long as you are consistent and I see so many people that are not consistent and all it does is confuse their dog.. We are starting hand signals and I know you’re not a fan. But when I get old and I can’t hear maybe they’ll be old and they can’t hear. Thank you for your videos I always check back and there’s always something I learned
You are a hero to many dogs and many people! Thank you for the work you do. I don’t know you personally but I sure do respect your words, message and effort to educate!
I'm not going to lie..I started watching you years ago because you are handsome. I continued watching you because you are a great trainer. Now I watch you because you are a genuine human plus all the other reasons. :-)
I've been watching a lot of your videos recently. You get yourself caught up in off topic stuff like politics or current hot topics. But anyways, I'll probably subscribe to your website as i like your methods of dog training.
Love this talk. I'm experiencing a lot of things you were talking about it working with my first tough dog. You just gave me the boost I need to move forward with my Doberman. Thank you!
It's the quest, Robert. Depends on what level you're satisfied with. I climbed that to the peak in the world of fighting but that peak has an expiration date, so you move to a perch just lower where you can last.
I am a really new subscriber, I am 9 minutes into your video and I am inspired. I recently decided to share my back story on RU-vid. I am a partially disabled vet who recently put my wife and 10yr old son into a position I am not sure how to exit. Going thru the roughest depression of my life, (which is saying alot, watch my story) my awesome neighbor Julie gave me an all black Gsd. I was NOT ready for a dog, but, he gave me Something to do to take my mind off my self induced situation. All was going OK, but I am still working on leash reactivity. Very scary and stressful. I decided to go ahead and get a dog ahead of my personal schedule because I knew I would be the stay at home dad for the foreseeable future. I thought how hard can it be to train my own service dog? there have been thousands trained in the past. I didn't know where to go so I went to RU-vid and got lots of different information to sift through. I had to overcome some bad learned behaviors, and I'm glad that I did because we started off on the right foot. I decided to name a him Gunter, Because it meant "battle Warrior" and army. Thank you for what you are doing. I appreciate you sharing your story! Back to the video! God bless you sir
@@RobertCabralDogs I'm sure you have touched on this many times. Should I stay away from the easy walk harness that puts tension below his armpits? I feel like it is making the leash reactivity worse. I met a trainer locally who was a marine and trained bomb dogs. His German shepherd is awesome. He is getting mad at me because I don't like using it do you have any thoughts?
Robert, all of your videos ave been meaningful and helpful, but this one was particularly impactful. It means a lot that you opened up about where the "being human" part falls into dog training. the most important part of training is to keep going, and it's often a challenge to accept where I am at when I watch "perfect' videos online. Knowing that no one is perfect is a great motivator to keep going and keep dreaming. Thank you for this video, it was just what I needed.
I really appreciated this video. I don't currently have a dog (was raised with beagles lol), but I can apply so much of your attitude and teaching to all aspects of my life & my work. And, I have learned that when I do get a dog in the future (right now my cat won't allow it, she's a prior feral and terrified of dogs), when I do get that dog, it will NOT be a Malinois. Thanks Robert for all you do.
Love your honesty and frankness Robert. You have learned a lot of wisdom and it didn't come cheap. That has made you a better man and a welcome inspiration to others. I'm never disappointed in anything you bring to us. All the best to you bro and grats on 50 casts!
Thank you for sharing, really appreciate your honesty and saying what you think. Definitely inspiration for me. Just recently started following you and 5stars.
... A wise man knows the limitations and restrictions regarding himself. A wiser man can see the limitations and restrictions in others. The wisest man is one who can accept those limitations and restrictions in himself and others and work through them. Then there is the next plane 😉 ...
Rob. Thanks for everything. I'm getting a mother GS Puppy. Been watching your channel for great tips. Love this open conversation though. Your great and work is phenomenal.
Another great video. Thank you. You answered my question on your last q&a and your advice has helped so much. I walk my 3 dogs separately and it's really helped. I try to do the same thing every day at the same time. It's hard because I also suffer with depression but no matter what I get up and feed and walk my dogs. And i know that's good for me too. Thanks again. I'm still losing my mind but not as bad!!!!
Your honesty is very much appreciated and extremely valuable. Thank you for all the time you put into your work. Very much looking forward to your continued content. Much love.
ONLY GOD IS PERFECT! THAT ROBERT IS PERFECTLY SAID! This is why he gave US the ability to bond with his creations! Dogs are showing US so much about ourselves & how to help ourselves!!!🐾🐾❤️🐾🐾💙🐾🐾💜🐾🐾💚
This is just a great big thank you for you verses the vet regarding putting a choke collar on my GSD who is dog reactive vet said she was too nervous and it would shut her down you were against this well put it on today and she walked like a dream pulled once didn't like it so paid attention for rest of walk lots of treats haven't come up against another dog yet but we will manage
Robert I've been petsitting in my home for the last year, because of covid- I took off 3 months. and bought a golden puppy, Lily. Recently I started petsitting again. I have a health condition that makes it difficult for me to work outside the home. Lily is now 8 months old. She tries to dominate the dogs I petsit. She's 50 pounds. The majority of the dogs try to avoid her. Is this going to effect her in a negative way. I petsit dogs sometimes on a weekly basis. I love her and want the best for her. I'm willing to give up my petsitting jobs and figure something else out.. I respect your opinion. Thank you, Taffy
What is your best advice for telling a client that u can no longer work with their dog? When u know that they will never be able to handle the dog, or that particular breed is just not right for them?
a dog that is a 'challenge' is too much for nearly all owners and the reason is obvious : nearly NO owner ever completes a single obedience class and abandons the dog. Dogs are status symbols and 'baby toys' to most all owners, so accept that and if asked, be blunt about the truth. Most folks do NOT want the truth. I took all 3 levels of amateur training and took 3 of my own dogs through CGC certification and volunteered to handle dogs in shelters and problem dogs in rescue groups. Accept that most people do NOT want to pay for and attend training classes. It is simply how it is and we will see more untrained dogs on the street and more dog attacks and owners being sued.
