We at Liberty K-9 believe communication is the greatest attribute between a dog and handler. With proper communication, anything is possible. There are many who believe there are limits to what a dog can do. If we limit ourselves, we limit the dog. By understanding our goal, and having a desire to accomplish it, communication is born. There are no limits because someone says there are. If the dog does not know these limits, why should we?

Training must be kept real, and problems must be faced. To avoid an issue is never the answer. Through communication, training, and dedication, problems are overcome. Our thoughts are that you get back what you put into a dog. If a handler is disciplined and willing, the dog will show it.

It is our firm belief that all training should be geared to bring out a dog's natural abilities, not inhibit them. It is the handler and trainers job to bring these abilities out, and allow the dog to make full use of them. Bitework, tracking, agility, scentwork, etc. all of these are natural abilities that the dog possesses. To say that a person can “teach” a dog to track, or “teach” a bite, is something we believe is untrue. Through training and communication, these abilities are brought out of the dog, not put in. The more we learn, the more we have discovered this ideal is true.

Overall, dogs must be treated as dogs and we must not underestimate their abilities. Do dogs need corrections? Do they need to have boundaries and understand their place as dogs and not “furry humans”? Do they need to be given the things they need, like raw meat, exercise, a job, and a handler who can understand the dog enough to give him the respect they deserve? Yes, we believe a dog needs and thrives on these. A dog must be treated the way he needs to be treated, yet we must respect his abilities and always remember that we are the ones who are the learners. The dog does us a favor by allowing us access to his ability for our benefit. And for a creature to so selflessly give us these abilities is something we find to be extraordinary.

Communicate, keep the training real, and remember what a dog can do, and also what their intended place is. If we can do this, the dog will take care of the rest, and hopefully we'll be smart enough to learn something along the way.