General Practices
At Simba Ranch our practices and philosophy are constantly evolving as a result of our open-minded approach and our never-ending research in the fields of dog behavior and training. Nevertheless, we do feel that we have finally developed a clear and concise framework which we feel comfortable sharing with our clients. Two of the most basic principles of the care we provide at Simba come from National Geographic’s Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan and local dog training experts and friends of Simba Ranch, Tenderfoot Training. While we are not affiliated with these trainers nor licensed by them, these two philosophies have had a profound influence on our current understanding of dog behavior and training and form an important part of the policies and practices that we have developed.
In order to maintain healthy leader-follower relationships with the dogs in our pack and ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved, there are some basic procedures, drills, and protocol that we all follow. We have found that these practices are the keys to maintaining balance in our pack and ensuring the highest quality experience for your dog during their stay. You are more than welcome to try some of them at home to strengthen the relationships in your pack on a day to day basis, but there is no obligation.
*Please see our Resources section for more information onCesar Millan and Tenderfoot Training.
- “Exercise, Discipline and Affection . . . In that order!”
This is essentially the cornerstone of the Cesar Millan approach to training dogs and is one of the most concise ways possible to paraphrase his teachings. After years of research on site at Simba, we have found that these are key aspects of keeping a dog happy and ensuring a calm, submissive state of mind that will result in positive interaction with the pack and a pleasant, stimulating visit to the ranch.
Exercise means walking a dog a minimum of once a day for no less than 25 minutes. Discipline means giving the dog rules, boundaries and limitations in a non-abusive manner. Affection means a reward given to our dogs, but only after they’ve achieved calm submission in our pack.
- Project Positive Energy and Expect Positive Behaviors
As part of our responsibility to be effective pack leaders, we make a conscious effort to stand, walk and sit like a calm, assertive leader at all times by holding our heads high, keeping our chests out, and projecting relaxed, positive energy. When we go through a gate or doorway, up or down stairs or pass through a narrow area, the human goes first. If a dog pushes past to go ahead we stop, go get the dog, and do the exercise again. We are constantly seeking new opportunities to learn about human and animal body language, especially since we have seen the benefit that it can have first hand.
Similarly, in order to maintain a positive atmosphere in the pack, we also expect certain things from our pack followers, such as a calm, submissive energy. We try hard not to encourage or nurture unwanted behavior and instead, use an appropriate combination of exercise, discipline and affection to eliminate the frustration or anxiety that causes it. We do believe that it is important to provide treats and affection at appropriate times, but we are careful to ensure that this is on our terms, rather than the dogs’ to avoid them becoming demanding, possessive, or even aggressive. 3. Rules, Boundaries and Limitations
A balanced dog needs to know that its pack leader is clearly setting the rules, boundaries and limitations for its life under all conditions, and this is especially true in the case of a large pack. We know that anger, aggression or abuse will not establish a pack leader because an angry or aggressive leader is not in control. Instead we have learned that a calm, assertive energy and consistent leadership will make it easier to maintain order in the pack and ensure everyone’s safety.
This is part of the spiritual practice of being around dogs. Correcting ourselves and the dogs in order to reach and maintain a peaceful and calm energy as a group is a constant practice to cleanse and let go of any toxic emotions that we may have. In this way, we are able to correct and redirect toxic emotions (including anger, fear, anxiety and insecurity) in the pups that visit us. We consistently strive for a peaceful state through looking at ourselves and our energy level, and then healing emotionally. Once we are calm and assertive, it is from this place that we are able to illicit a calm, submissive pack energy through various techniques including the leash walk and Tenderfoot Training drills.
- Calm, Submissive Energy
While a calm, assertive disposition is the most desirable energy for a pack leader to have in nature or at home, a calm, submissive disposition is the natural energy for a follower in a dog pack and the ideal energy for a visitor to Simba Ranch to project. Signs of calm, submissive energy include a relaxed posture, ears back, and a nearly instinctual response to the pack leader’s commands. This is what we have learned to expect from our pack when we project a positive energy and give the appropriate amounts of exercise, discipline and affection and it is essential to the balance and safety of the Simba Ranch Community.4. “Master the Walk.” – Cesar Millan
Exercise is crucial to the health and happiness of all dogs, but at Simba Ranch we pride ourselves in providing more than just “recess.” The leash walk is a crucial part of the daily ritual at Simba and takes place a minimum of once a shift (twice a day), for at least 30-45 minutes for a healthy, active pup. We work hard to act as the dogs’ leader during a walk and ensure that they stay close or slightly behind, instead of pulling ahead. This results in the combination of exercise and discipline in a single activity so that both the dogs’ minds and bodies are given a workout.
If a dog is “walking” its human, the dog perceives itself as pack leader and the owner is not in control. Similarly, if the dog is simply allowed to roam freely in a contained area, no matter how large or for how long, the effect is the same as having spent the whole day in a large cage and the dog will remain restless and frustrated.
- Tenderfoot Training drills
In addition to the leash walk, we sometimes use special drills developed by Doug and Elizabeth Simpson of Tenderfoot Training, called the “Sit,” “Close,” and “Two Step” drills. The idea of each drill is to strengthen the leader-follower relationship by neither begging nor commanding, but patiently asking the dog to perform a simple task and encouraging positive responses with quiet praise. The activities, though simple, require immense concentration and patience from the dog and can sometimes be just as effective as a leash walk in terms of releasing pent-up energy and frustration and eliciting the calm, submissive energy that is so important to our pack. Please see our Resources and Referrals section for more information on Tenderfoot Training.