How I teach

A brief rundown of how I reach your dogs

About me

Chris Twite,
Founder & CEO at Delusional Dogs

It's been an odd journey to arrive here, helping dogs and teaching people. Having worked in various roles in the computer games industry (Blizzard,4A and even Crytek) a switch to canine care has surprised a number of people, but what started as a hobby during the summer of 2018 has grown into a fun and engaging long term project and great job, one that will keep me here in the Netherlands. Having grown up living in the rural British countryside I have been surrounded by tame and feral animals all my life. From pigs (guinea and swine) through cats, dogs, rabbits and out to horses, foxes and hedgehogs (here you can see me with King a shire horse who lives near my father - it was a joy to be able to hug and even lean on an animal so much bigger and stronger than me). However my passion has always been dogs, they just seem to listen and understand what I want, in fact chances are you’ve already met me on one of my walks. However my career had me moving regularly around the world, so my own dog wasn't an option. Instead I would volunteer at the local shelters where I would work with some of the dogs & cats who slipped through the cracks. I have been working with dogs professionally now 5 years, I've learnt a lot about them from books, studies and my own observations. I am much more equipped for dealing with their issues and possible problems, I'm also far better and reaching them on an intellectual level and this does make training them a lot easier. They are what you make of them, just like a child, although a little more limited in their range. Think what you want from your dog and work with me, we can get it done! More recently I have moved to the Bijlmer area and I have been working more often with dogs who are more reactive and need more help, this has been very rewarding seeing dogs go from aggressive to playful sometimes in a remarkable short time. It should be noted for owners, that whilst a dog can grasp concepts (tricks/behaviours) very quickly it will take months for it to become natural to the dog.

How I can help

Methodology of Delusional Dogs

I want to start this by saying that there is a shocking lack of standardisation within pet-care - by this I mean that what one source of information (vet/trainer/etc) will tell you may vary wildly to the next.

As this is not a "protected profession" yet there is no way to check the validity of a person's qualifications with the government or similar ruling body.

Having said that I have done numerous courses in the UK, worked extensively with shelters in Malta and in the last few years met and worked with a huge range of doggies here in the Netherlands. I regularly top up my information and position on dogs using whatever source I can find (books/podcasts/articles), also talking to dog owners and other behaviourists. I've even been known to ask the dogs themselves, although dogs are great listeners, but are rarely proficient with English (For more full conversations with your dogs check out Buttons below).

I do my best to take it all in and filter the information and advice I will give you, but ultimately it is based mostly on my own observations, experiences and understandings.

I don't hold with breed specific personality rules, not all pit-bulls are violent, not all rottweilers seek to kill you, equally not all pomeranians are noisy nor all labradors like to get wet.
Each dog is their own being and will have their own views and opinions on all aspects of their day to day lives.

There are of course physical aspects to breeds that are definitely accurate, but their personalities are up for shaping and growth.

So with all that in mind each dog is different, I will always aim to meet you and your dog, feel out the personality of your pooch and with your co-operation shape them into a healthy happy hound!

All dogs should be able to walk off leash with you, safe for you, safe for them.

I advocate for a mixture of training and teaching with all my dogs:

Training - A standard for dogs, this process is simple described as Trigger = Reaction!
A good example of this would be the "Heel!" (Naast) command, upon hearing this the correct response is for your dog to immediately come over to your feet and sit down. There should be nothing in between command and action.
Command > Reaction: Instant!

Teaching - Whilst training includes this, it is more about the dog's thinking process to add items of importance.
A good example of this would be the "Come here" command, which is tells your dog that you want them to come over to you, if along the way they pause, or say hello to another dog that is fine, as long as they keep moving toward you.
Command > Reaction: A few minutes.

This adds a level of complication and engagement for your dogs, similar to giving them choices on where to go and what to do.

Methodology

Buttons

Buttons, push me, more buttons!

I do highly recommend dog Buttons!

I have seen multiple videos on dogs using buttons, opposite is a promotional video of "Bunny the talking dog" who is currently the Gold Standard for talking dogs.

Additionally I have convinced some of my clients to start using them with great results.

Personally I have used the "Go outside/pee-pee" button, this is only a very basic concept of what is possible, unless the client is following up at home.

Here below is Mclane learning how to push the button:

How I teach

Chris Twite, Founder & CEO at Delusional Dogs

Methodology of Delusional Dogs

Buttons, push me, more buttons!

Chris Twite,
Founder & CEO at Delusional Dogs