Show Transcript
Clay:
All right. Welcome back to the Make Your Dog Epic podcast. And on today’s edition we’re joined with Tulsa dog training expert, JT Lawson, and we’re talking about can I train my dog by myself. Can I train my dog by myself? That is a question a lot of people ask is, why don’t I just train the dog myself? JT, why should our listeners out there maybe not train their dog by themselves?
JT Lawson:
Yeah, because basically what you’re going to do is you’re going to go online to YouTube or download some training tools from some website, some videos, and it’s going to give you stuff that looks really cool. I won’t use names, but there’s a guy that everyone who listens to his podcast knows he has a TV show. But what he does in the show is not replicable. So it’s not something that the average person can just next day go and do.
And then also, there’s no governing body over dog training, so anyone can be a dog trainer. So when you go look at these YouTubers, even if they’re certified or you’re seeing good results, it’s hard to figure out which ways actually work and which ones are effective. Because a lot of the ways they’re doing it, you have to be very skilled to do it.
So our first lesson is 50 cents, so we can come out and tell you how we train. But I’ve gone out and this person had another trainer. So this is not just them doing it themselves, but a trainer came out for a day and gave them kind of a rundown. This is not an exaggeration. They were using a prong collar, a choke collar, a martingale collar, and a shock collar all in one, and a clicker and treats.
So they were using all these tools, that’s like six or seven tools to train their dog, because this is what somebody learned. So I’m sure this person went to YouTube University and looked at all the different dog training ways and found a bunch of different things that look cool and they worked. But they’re not actually getting results because there’s so many different methods when it comes to dog training on YouTube and stuff like that.
Clay:
Now, if you’re listening out there today, folks, and your dog is holding you hostage, imagine this scenario for a second. Imagine that your dog is actually coming to you when you call for it. I mean, imagine that your dog is actually now no longer holding you hostage. Imagine that your dog is around squirrels and other animals, and your dog is still paying attention to what you’re asking it to do. Imagine that you can have a dog that will actually do what you want it to do, as opposed to holding you hostage.
I think this is a big thing, because I think anybody out there who, if you’ve ever owned a dog and your dog has jumped on people when they visit your house. If you have a dog that’s ever used the restroom constantly in your home, it can be embarrassing, it can be frustrating. Imagine you have a dog that’s out there doing counter surfing, or it’s trying to eat off the table. Imagine what it would be like to no longer have a poorly behaving dog.
I’d love to get your thoughts on this JT, because I think a lot of people have a dog that’s excessively barking, a dog that’s chasing neighbors, and a dog that’s just very difficult to live with. Walk us through how transformative it can be when you are able to properly train a dog.
JT Lawson:
Yeah. Well, I’ll give you an example with my personal dog. So my dog’s name is Achilles, and he’s a Belgian Malinois. I got him from a lady in Houston, Texas, who trains dogs for movies. And she recently got married and her husband was like, hey, I want to train dogs too. So they got five Belgian Malinois all from the same litter. They shipped them in from France, and they kept Achilles specifically because they wanted to use him to train.
And then three weeks in, her new husband was like, this is way more work than I thought it was going to be. And so I found out about it. I was like, oh, I need that dog. So I had that dog, I had Achilles for two weeks before training. Because I was like, you know what, it’s been two weeks, I’ll give you a little bit to adjust to the new home and that environment.
In those two weeks, he was just a nutcase. So, not only on the way back from Houston, I’m driving back to Tulsa. I stop at a hotel, I stop and get a Taco Bell. So this is in no way a nutritional podcast, but I stopped and got Taco Bell. And you know, Clay, how dogs beg? Achilles doesn’t beg, he just takes. So I went to put the burrito in my mouth and he just took it out of my hand and ate it in under two seconds.
And then he would, at my house I have a six foot fence, it’s wood, and he would pry at the bottom of it and just break it off and then get out. And then he learned, he was a Belgian Malinois, and he would now start clearing the fence and going over it. And he tackled my neighbor’s little white dog while they were going for a walk, and while my car said dog trainer on it. So I was like, well, that’s great advertising.
And then we went and I took him over to show him to my grandma and my family, because he is a cool looking dog. He jumped on my grandma and knocked her over, and I had to catch her before she hit the ground. And she was like, some dog trainer you are. And I was like, okay, well, I haven’t started Grandma, but noted, I understand. So that was going on for two weeks where he was just a monster.
Clay:
Wow.
JT Lawson:
He was humping any dog he saw. He was growling and barking at dogs. He was just jumping on everyone. He was a nutcase. He’s untrained Belgian Malinois. And now, I started training him and after four weeks of training him, he comes when called every time. He walks right next to me on the leash so there’s no pulling. He doesn’t jump on grandma anymore. So he is able to be around kids, grandma, whatever. He doesn’t clear the fence. He doesn’t chase rabbits. He doesn’t try to murder squirrels. And he’s an awesome dog now, but he would’ve been a nutcase and would’ve been just a monster to live with if he was untrained.
Clay:
Now, you have a process that you offer, a method, a game plan. Walk us through, what does that first lesson look like for our listeners out there that may be leery of scheduling that first lesson? What does that first Tulsa dog training lesson look like, and how much does it cost?
JT Lawson:
Yeah. So the first lesson is 50 cents. And what that looks like is we’re going to come out, we’re going to talk to you about your dog and your goals and figure out what it’s going to take to get your dog to your specific goals. Because every dog is different and every human is different, and everyone’s goals are different. So we’re going to figure out, and we’re going to tailor a package direct, specifically for your dog.
And then we’re going to tell you more about us. We’re going to train your dog in front of you so you can see that we’re a good fit. And then we have either one-on-one lessons where it’s half dog training, half human training, or we have boarding school where the dog comes and stays with us, and then at the end, the dog just knows everything. No matter what, it’s a money back guarantee, and you get a group class for the rest of the dog’s life. Because we want to be there for you forever, not just, hey, it’s been two weeks, here’s Fluffy, made the odds be ever in your favor.
Clay:
Now, as far as the most commonly asked questions by dog training customers, could you walk us through that? I mean, what are the common questions that people ask you the first time you meet them, the first time you sit down with their dog? What are those most commonly asked questions?
JT Lawson:
Yeah. Well, a lot of times they ask, should we use a harness? Do we need to use a prong collar or a choke collar? What kind of leash should we use? Is it okay if my dog sleeps in my bed? Can my dog have treats, what kind of treats? What toys are acceptable for my dog to play with? Is my dog actually trainable? Is my dog too old? Is my dog too young? Now, that’s a bunch of the different questions that we have,
Clay:
And those are all questions that you’ll be happy to answer during that first lesson, so I encourage everybody out there, go to makeyourdogepic.com. It’s makeyourdogepictulsa.com for board and training, for one-on-one dog training, for group dog training, for dog training classes, and to schedule that first dog training lesson. Again, it’s makeyourdogepic.com, JT, I’m going to give you the final word there, because so many of our listeners out there are looking for a puppy training school they can trust. They’re looking for that dog training obedience class that they can trust. And they’re looking at a lot of different options. What’s that final word of encouragement you want to share with all of our listeners out there?
JT Lawson:
Yeah, I’ve had a bunch of people who, they were borderline ready to give their dog away, or their dog would’ve been euthanized or put down. And then we came out, and in under three to four weeks now the dog’s listening, it’s coming when called, and it’s a completely different dog. So it still has all his personality, and it’s still the same dog, but now listens. So basically same dog, but now it’s all ears, as we like to say it, make your dog epic.
Clay:
Now, JT, we typically like to say we’ll call you back in five minutes, but on today’s show we’re going to say we’re going to call you back in about an hour. Appreciate you carving out time for us today. And, again, that’s makeyourdogepic.com. We appreciate you, sir, and we’ll talk to you about an hour.
JT Lawson:
Awesome. Thanks, bye.
Carl:
Is your dog and furry friend holding you hostage? Will your dog not stop pulling on its leash and eating your sausage?
Clay:
Who wrote that?
Carl:
Well, I don’t mean to brag, but I actually wrote it.
Clay:
Wow.
Carl:
And it rhymes, people dig it. Like a dog, do you get it?
Clay:
Okay, so I’m just going to keep reading. Will your dog not stop jumping on you or pooping in your house like you’re on the set of Jumanji or living in a zoo?
Carl:
It only took me two weeks to write that line while sitting at the base of a waterfall while gazing upon my epic dog. The dog that once held me hostage was now my best friend.
Clay:
It’s so good.
Carl:
The dog that would never listen was now all ears.
Clay:
It’s so good. I just want to cry.
Carl:
Pull yourself together, man. And if you too want to transform your dog from a furry terrorist into your best friend, what you need to do is schedule your first lesson at makeyourdogepic.com, where your first lesson is always just 50 cents. And with the savings, you can use that to pay the rent.
Again, your first lesson is always just 50 cents at makeyourdogepic.com.
Clay:
Wow.
Carl:
Stop the endless barking, reduce the aggressive behaviors, prevent dog jumping. Stop your dog from chasing the elderly UPS driver as he attempts to deliver a package. Stop your dog from biting Pam, your yoga pants wearing neighbor, as she just attempts to speed walk in peace. Stop your dog from eating your wife’s wedding dress and peeing in your closet on top of your Christmas gifts. Stop the madness at makeyourdogepic.com.
Experience the revolutionary focused based positive reinforcement training and methodology. Our goal is dog obedience, but never at the expense of dog personality. It’s the same dog, but now it’s all ears.
Clay:
Wow. Man, Carl, you are a talented vocal artist.
Carl:
Well, well.
Clay:
I can sense, I can feel the passion. It’s contagious.
Carl:
Well, my friend, I am passionate about the product. I once went 60 days without sleeping.
Clay:
Really?
Carl:
My wife’s wedding dress got eaten and my neighbor Pam was bitten by my dog.
Clay:
Oh man.
Carl:
And my quality of life was at an all time low. I actually, I didn’t invite people over to my home for months because of the new dog. And I always smelled like urine.
Clay:
You do still smell a little bit like dog urine.
Carl:
That’s why I made my dog epic. I was hostage. And that’s where the passion comes from. You’ve got to believe in the product and you’ve got to project from the diaphragm.
Clay:
The diaphragm.
Carl:
You’ve got to bend your knees.
Clay:
Bend the knees, [inaudible 00:12:08].
Carl:
You’ve got to drink ginger.
Clay:
Drink the ginger.
Carl:
You’ve got to ingest apple cider vinegar.
Clay:
Apple cider. [inaudible 00:12:13].
Carl:
With a dog bone, you want to chew on the dog bone before them.
Clay:
Hard pass, I’m not going to.
Carl:
Recording so you can emulate the dog. You should listen to Atomic Dog.
Clay:
I can do that.
Carl:
But you’re not a dog.
Clay:
Right.
Carl:
But you want to just chew on the bone, the oversized bone, not the regular size.
Clay:
Hard pass, not going to chew on the bone.