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Robert Cabral

@robertcabral

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🐕 Helping Dogs & The People Who Love Them!
🎓 20+ Years Professional Dog Trainer & Educator~
👇 Training resources & programs below-
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A big problem I see in dog training is “the one method” approach. Whether that method claims that “every dog” will respond to purely positive training, ECollar training, play or any other single minded ideology.

Every dog is an individual. Some dogs love hot dogs and some couldn’t give a damn about them. Some love to play, some don’t.

If you limit your way to one methodology, you’re also limiting your chance at success… and you’re certainly not doing what’s best for the dog in front of you.

Learn, grow, explore and make training your dog a fun experience for both you and your dog.

Share and follow if you agree. Even if you don’t agree share it anyway and see if others agree.

#dogtraining #trainyourdog #dogtrainingisfun #doglover by @robertcabral

I really don’t understand how any trainer would recommend using a prong or ECollar on a young dog (or any dog ) first, before working on desensitizing a dog to a stimulus like dogs or strangers. These are the people who are helping to ban tools. And if this is gonna be the approach trainers take as a default, maybe we should seriously question the use of these tools.

Pisses me off.

I’ve fought for and used tools for most of my training career… over 20 years! But the crap I’m seeing more and more of with the proliferation of online dog trainers is really disturbing.

Seriously? Prong and ECollar for a young malinois who barks at people and dogs? WTH is that ging t cure? It just messes up dogs.

I hope you’ll share this so people will understand that real dog trainers don’t do this. Real trainers take the dog and his/her behavior into account. They spend time with positive reinforcement and work through issues before introducing an aversive.

If you’re interested in my online training check the link in my bio. I answer questions like this for members every week. As well there are hundreds of video lessons available!
#dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #doglover #dogs by @robertcabral

A short clip from my podcast with Dave Reaver @adlerhorstk9 talking about the importance of maturity in dogs.

Maturity is important in all aspects of dog training. It’s often overlooked as disobedience or being a “jerk”.

A mature dog thinks and acts different than an adolescent. Understanding this is imperative for anyone be it a professional dog trainer of the everyday dog owner.

Watch the full interview on my YouTube channel.

#dogtraining #dogbehavior #policedog #k9 by @robertcabral

Duane and Schmoo want to wish you all a very spooky but Happy Halloween!

Be sure to keep your dogs safe with all the trick or treaters and watch the candy.

Give your dog some extra love today!

#halloween #halloweendog by @robertcabral

Dave Reaver founder of Adlerhorst Police K9 - the godfather of police and military K9. Episode 137 drops tomorrow 10/31/26 on YouTube.

An awesome chat with a true legend. The man who basically founded modern police K9s. And long before most of the current experts were born.

No hype, all legend. If you’re into police or military working dogs, don’t miss this.

Here’s a sample!

#policedog #workingdog #militaryk9 by @robertcabral

Fred got a visit from WFMJ host @corey.mccrae who was here doing a story on #shelterdogs which will air in December. He interviewed me and we featured Fred #a2293242 as well

Fred is an awesome 2 year old Malinois that was found as a stray. Fred is super affectionate and chill. He definitely does need an active home, but he’s what I’d consider a more user friendly malinois.

Looks to be in great health, friendly, outgoing, good in the playgroups - bonuses why he’s still there.

Come and get him at the @westlasheltervolunteers

#shelterdog #adoptme #rescuedog by @robertcabral

Oftentimes it boils down to these choices. Getting the desired behavior isn’t like an on / off switch. Even dogs that know may still make mistakes. Even those dogs in the big championships. The good trainers understand the need for figuring things out and going back a few steps. Others believe muscling through it is the answer.

Training a dog is about a connection. It’s about thinking and evaluating. That’s not to say you will never add pressure. Pressure can be a great learning tool. But when it’s used in place of patience and people choose to power a dog through something they don’t understand- then you may have a bigger problem.

Like I always say, I enjoy the process…. Figuring things out. I’m not alone in this. Many trainers I speak to feel the same way.

Seek out those trainers. The ones who care about the dog and the relationship more than they care about the instant gratification.

Learning is a process, as is “unlearning.” There are things dogs have as set behaviors, ingrained in their minds. Learning new behaviors in place of them will take time. That’s where patience comes in.

Make everyday a great day with your dog. Love them like it’s the last day. They will get it…. Be fair, be consistent and focus on the journey.

Make Dog Training Fun!
#dogtraining #dogtrainingisfun #trainyourdog #doglover #dogslife by @robertcabral

Before you pick a German Shepherd puppy, find out which line he comes from.

Working line dogs carry high drive and need a job. Show line dogs run softer and make the easier pet. Many pet line dogs come from backyard breeding, so I would look at a show or working line puppy that missed the cut first.

Taking a puppy home today is a 10 plus year commitment. Pick the line that fits the life you actually have.

Swipe for the breakdown. Save this before you meet a litter.

Comment DOGS and I will send you the link to join the newsletter.

#puppy #germanshepherd #doglovers #dogtrainer by @robertcabral

It’s starts and ends with praise.

Making the training a fun experience benefits the dog and the handler.

Keep it fun - keep it short !

Frustrations in training benefits no one. Of course there are complications and there may be moments of frustration, but striving for a harmonious training session should be the ultimate goal.

I try to start out with as positive and attitude is absolutely possible. This sets the stage for how I want my training to go. Even if there are frustrations in the training, I want to work them out in a way to make the training successful.

This is a short session practicing our retrieve and focusing on control as well as power. You can see it’s a super short session, perhaps four or five minutes max.

Even a boring exercise can be fun if you allow it to be. It’s not perfect…. We have a ways to go, but the steps to get there are going to be fun for both of us.

#dogtrainingisfun #trainyourdog #doglover #malinois #workingdog by @robertcabral

Power and Control. One is no good without the other. It’s more than a goal for me… it’s an obsession.

I like training the details. I like breaking it down and studying the pieces that make things work, and the things that don’t.

For me, dog training goes beyond the mechanics of movement, it delves into the how and why things work and why they don’t. Does this make me a better trainer? I believe it does… I challenge myself to do what’s best for my dog even when it means more work for me. It’s not about the shortest path - it’s about the path that I (and my dog) enjoy most. It’s about the relationship beyond the training.

It’s about a dog that wants to, not one that has to.

In this short video you’ll see Schmoo’s undeniable power, but more importantly our connection. You’ll see a dog that wants to do the training and remains clear headed. That goal has carried through our training for our entire 2 plus year journey thus far.

SummerVest by: @iq_dogsport

Available in USA @sprengerusa_canine
code: cabral10

#dogtrainingisfun #trainyourdog #malinois #belgianmalinoisofinstagram #workingdog by @robertcabral

Got the great news and was able to talk to the foster today. They are “fostering to adopt” so I hope it works out for her.

I talked to Tova, the foster, today and offered some advice since Lassie is really shy and needs someone work. She seemed awesome and willing to do the work.

Shelter dogs need time to decompress and learn to trust again. The greatest gift we can give them is time and space.

All too often people wanna rush into training, cuddling, and socializing. Step one, let the dog decompress. The shelter is extremely stressful place for dogs, and they carry that stress with them when they first leave the shelter.

There’s nothing you’re gonna do to talk the dog out of it or to help the dog out of it… The only thing that will help is time and space. That is why I almost always recommend giving the dog a crate and a
safe space with little to no expectations.

Thank you to each of you who have shared commented and reposted any of my posts. It’s because of you and the amazing volunteers and staff at the shelter that these amazing adoptions happen.

Godspeed Lassie!

#shelterdog #adoptmepets #rescuedog #doglover by @robertcabral

I just got the good news today! Thank you to everyone who shared Muka’s story.

I will post pictures as soon as I get them. Here’s hoping it’s a forever match. Muka sure deserves it. She’s an awesome dog. Whoever adopted her is a very very lucky person.

As always thank you to the amazing volunteers and staff at the West LA Shelter and my heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you who continues to support my work by sharing, tagging and commenting.

Godspeed sweet Muka!

#adoptmepets #shelterdog #rescued #germanyshepherd by @robertcabral