Eric Letendre

The Shelter That Helped Me Survive Some Difficult Times

We all face tough times in life. I’ve had my share and I’m sure you’ve had yours. One particularly tough time was right after I started my business. I would stay up nights worrying about getting the bills paid. I had no business experience, no networking skills and I was a complete dope when it came to marketing and advertising. On top of all that, I wasn’t even sure if I was a very good dog trainer. Talk about being scared. And then one day I got a call from an animal shelter in Middletown, RI. The executive director asked… Read the rest

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I Have To Stop Watching These Videos

Came across a video on The Huffington Post on dog training. Disciplining your dog specifically. The video was an interview by “That Girl” (I bet many reading this have never even heard of that TV show) and a popular Animal Planet trainer. It caught my attention because it was on discipline. I wondered what was going to be said. Actually, I knew what they were going to say but I watched anyway. The popular trainer went to say that discipline and yelling at the dog is bad, that she loves dogs and then the ole scientifically proven quotes came out.… Read the rest

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My Dog Refuses To Listen To Me – What Can I Do?

Let’s start off the week with a question……. …..and an extremely important lesson you won’t read anywhere else. This came in over the weekend: “My 70lbs. Lab loves to go for rides. Especially to the beach. My problem is getting him into the back of my vehicle. I think it is my fault because I have always lifted him but now that he is 70lbs. he is getting too heavy for me. I was told by friends and advice I read on the internet to teach her to jump in by offering some treats. One person said to use “addictive… Read the rest

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The Dumbest Name I’ve Ever Heard, So Dumb It Makes My Head Hurt

Most of you know by now that I worked seven years doing K-9 security in Hartford, CT. Best job I ever had and still am in contact with many of the friends I made there. I hate to pick on the city but I just can’t help it today. They did it to themselves and this is so stupid I have to share it with you. So what’s the problem? The Double A Colorado Rockies affiliate baseball team is moving to Hartford for the 2016 season. The old name of the team was the New Britain Rock Cats. They decided… Read the rest

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When Dogs Become Too Much To Handle

This sad post came across my news feed yesterday on Facebook: “As an Animal Control Officer, and I know I speak for all of us, that it is very disheartening, frustrating, and aggravating that people can just take a living, breathing creature and open their car door and discard it. Because of this heartless action, all of my efforts yesterday, along with those of the Mattapoisett ACO, were in vain. The dog was hit by a car and was killed.” – Acushnet Animal Control Officer As a former animal control officer myself I know how the Acushnet ACO feels. I’ve… Read the rest

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My Dog Won’t Listen to Me

“Do you think she has hearing problems?” asked my mother-in-law. She was asking about Scarlett. She thought that maybe she had a hearing problem because she didn’t always respond to her name. My wife laughed and said: “She hears just fine. She is choosing to ignore you.” Funny how kids can be a lot like dogs. I see it all the time when I am helping someone train their dog. The dog will be on leash and they say the dog’s name…..nothing. No response, no attention, no engagement. Which is why you need to make sure you are always working… Read the rest

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Using Negative Reinforcement To Help A Fearful Dog

It’s only been a week but I can already tell a difference between little Spencer and Scarlett. Amazing how differently they behaved at this age. Spence loves his car seat and goes right to sleep. Scarlett at his age would howl and cry nonstop when put into her car seat. Interesting. But not surprising. Afterall I am a highly trained canine specialist and I see and work with dogs that have many different behavior problems. And the most difficult to deal with is…. ….fear. Fear cancels out rational thought. Fear overrides hunger. Fear can turn into self defense resulting in… Read the rest

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How To Read Your Dog’s Mind

People are always amazed at how fast I can get results with their dogs. It’s easy for me because…..I can read your dog’s mind. I know, sounds like woo woo, hocus pocus stuff and maybe the wheels finally came off the happy bus with our old friend The Amazing Dog Training Man. Please, before you dismiss me let me make my point and PROVE that I can read your dog’s mind. Even better, I am going to teach you to do the same. You see, dogs are not good at hiding what they are thinking and if you pay attention… Read the rest

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The Most Embarrassing Behavior Problem Your Dog Can Do

What a week. Rach went into labor on Monday and we went to the hospital around noon. The nursing staff were incredibly nice and her midwife was awesome. Rach did the entire birth all natural. No drugs or anything. I can’t say I’d do the same. After watching her I’d be on the phone with the pharmacy asking the entire staff to load up trays and make their way up to my room. Then again, I’m not as tough as she is. But I have to add, everyone talks about how tough the mom has it, how much hard work… Read the rest

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It’s A Boy!

So I went off the grid for a few days. But for good reasons. Because….. …..Rachael had the baby! Yes, Rachael had the baby on Monday! Little Spencer Brady came into the world on Monday. He is just a shade under 9lbs. and doing great. And I am one very happy, proud Papa! Just wanted to let you know and we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. All the best, Eric… Read the rest

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