In the early seventies dog behavior classes were not taught in Veterinary school. Although I had attended dog obedience classes with my dogs, I had to rely on my own “dog” experience to help my clients with their dog behavior questions. When my daughter and I attended Chris Bach’s first puppy class lesson, which was a lecture about dog behavior and training, I was extremely impressed. What she offered was different from the usual dog behavior information I had heard for years.  She was the first dog trainer who explained dog behavior in a way that made sense to me in terms of all I had experienced housing my numerous dogs. And, she used a dog’s problem solving ability to teach the dog without force or corrections. She called her method of dog training The Third Way.  My young daughter taught her Aussie puppy during the eight weeks of puppy class while I took class notes, many notes. 

My daughter and her Aussie puppy were fortunate to continue taking private lessons with Chris since she was not able to offer a follow-up advanced puppy class. Again I watched and took notes. In addition, I started to audit Chris’ puppy classes every week. Later, my new Samoyed puppy and I attended one of her puppy classes and also took private lessons. I began to assist Chris during her classes and through it all took more notes. Eventually, Chris allowed me to teach an occasional class, if she was out of town lecturing to others about The Third Way.  From 1997 to 1999 I watched puppy after puppy graduate from her puppy classes exhibiting behaviors desired by dog owners everywhere.

Yet, no matter how rewarding a Beginning Puppy Class was for me to watch, I was troubled by the fact that people were graduating with adolescent puppies on their hands. There was no one available to help these people get those pups through adolescence using Third Way methods and philosophy. In 1999 I decided, with Chris’ blessing, to take all those notes I had accumulated over the years, write dog training manuals based on The Third Way, open P.U.P.S Learning Center and start teaching not only a puppy class but also an Advanced Puppy Class. 

By the end of the Beginner and Advanced Puppy Classes people, who did their homework, knew how to help their dogs reach maturity without feeling hopelessly frustrated or resorting to correction training. My work’s objective became the following: Help people and their dogs by teaching them both. Teach the people what a dog is and why it acts the way it does. Then teach the people how to manage their dog while they teach it the behaviors they want the dog to learn. People do not have to turn their adolescent dogs over to humane societies or rescue groups, if they themselves are willing to learn and to teach their puppies.

P.U.P.S stands for “Perfect and Unique Puppies.”  Puppies are perfect at acting like dogs, which can, at times, be pretty irritating to us human beings. Each puppy is different than the next. They are unique individuals. Yet, I am happy to say that I have never met a puppy that could not have its behavior modified using The Third Way philosophy and techniques. People who are willing to learn and take the time and energy to teach their puppies are, in the end, very grateful. I run into former students all the time. They tell me how wonderful their unique puppy is and I walk away more convinced than ever to keep teaching those that want to learn. 

In terms of learning, what is true for my students is true for myself. Over the past three and a half years I have attended dog training seminars and listened to a variety of trainers. Although some trainers lecture about newer kinder methods, I continue to hear about the correction dog training methods that I was taught twenty-five years ago. My teaching experience has taught me that correction training is not necessary or appropriate. And, even though I learn from other seminar speakers, I continue to learn from Chris Bach. Thank goodness she is willing to read the volumes of current dog research becoming available. The new research is based on the study of dogs, not wolves, and she expertly applies its message to the art of teaching dogs.

It is Chris’ willingness to keep learning and changing that keeps me focused on her dog-training message. I am a person who wants to continue to learn and improve my skills for teaching people to teach their dogs. As a result, the puppy class teaching manuals have been revised and improved many times. Hopefully, what I teach people about their dogs will continue to be the most helpful and valid information I can share.

I enjoy teaching puppies and their people. If veterinarians and their technicians would be interested in hearing about what I have learned and how it applies to their work, I would be glad to find the time. In addition, I would like to provide an opportunity for dog trainers to learn how I use The Third Way to teach people how to teach their puppies. If a dog trainer or group of dog trainers are interested, I would like to discuss the possibility of traveling to and staying in their area long enough to teach an eight-week puppy class. 

This “sharing with other dog trainers” idea has been born from the increasing interest in The Third Way.  But, more importantly I have a sincere desire to teach others how effective these puppy classes can be. At this time in my life I have the ability to occasionally park my husband and myself in a location, other than home, for two months at a time. I have designed a complete program, which will not only allow dog trainers to observe a class being taught and ask questions but to also participate as a student in a puppy class of their own if puppies are available. I would like to help other dog trainers learn as Chris has helped me learn, face to face, puppy by puppy.

Now, I know that Kathy wanted me to write about my favorite puppy story, the most unique breed I have taught, a favorite trick performed by a puppy and a particular puppy that excelled in puppy class. But, it would be much too difficult for me to choose from the many wonderful puppies and people I have shared time with over the last three and a half years.   

People interested in dog sports and competition, as well as dogs as pets, have brought their retrievers, herding dogs, terriers, toy dogs, sight hounds, giant breed pups, and many mixed breed puppies to Beginner Puppy Class, one puppy as cute as the next coming through the training room door. 

Dogs have performed simple as well as highly complex tricks to earn an Advanced class certificate. One fun fact remains a constant. If you manage and teach your dog using The Third Way, the dog will want to learn new behaviors as long as you are willing and able to teach him. 

Yet, as I look back, I feel most compelled to tell you that seeing shy, fearful puppies open up and play with other pups and people by the end of an eight-week Beginner Puppy Class reinforces me the most. I know that those types of puppies are more likely to find it difficult to live in the world of human beings. Without the correct type of intervention, they are more likely to end up in humane societies or with rescue groups. Not every story can have a happy ending. But, many, many, many times, when I later see those pups and their people, the people reveal that they are very happy with their dogs and the dogs reveal that they also are very happy indeed.

Thank you for reading and listening.

Linda M. Arndt DVM