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ANDREW LEDFORD
Bio
Dog behavior is something that Andrew Ledford has
spent his life learning about and teaching to others. He has worked
with many innovators and leaders in the field which set the foundation
for him developing his own system and “unified dog training”
philosophy from over 25 years of dog training experience. His theory
and practices are a blend of traditional Chinese philosophy, learning
theory, behavior modification, animal psychology and ethology.
In his new book Dog Training – Best Friends Learning Together
he reveals a seven point process that demonstrates what dog owners can
learn about themselves through the antics of humanities not always understood
best friend. “The human dog/model works so well because learning
about dogs includes the complexities, the trials and the tribulations
of self-governance, social responsibility, intellect and emotions. To
be successful at training dogs requires the same skills used for success
in other areas of life,” states Andrew. Best Friends Learning
Together shows how human and dog behavior mix in a dance of responsibility,
understanding and bonding. An insightful investigator and world traveler,
part of Andrew’s observations are also based on studying the behavior
and socializing of Taiwan’s street dogs, one of many stories he
shares in his book.
Andrew’s training philosophy also encompasses his lifelong interest
in Asian cultures, sparked at an early age and as a pre-teen further
fanned by the sport of Kendo. His special talent and desire to understand
animal behavior was also recognized at age 11 by Robert Dawson a family
friend and owner of Thunder Bay Kennels in Paramount, California. Both
passions eventually “developed into a synergistic approach to
dog training and to life.”
In high school, Andrew also had the opportunity to work with one of
the world’s most famous trainers, William R Koehler learning firsthand
the work required to handle and train dogs. By age 18 Andrew returned
to Thunder Bay Kennels, where he became an assistant obedience trainer.
Andrew later directed his attention toward protection dog training,
managing a security and guard dog facility at 19 years old. He also
gained the experience of selecting, working and training police dogs,
under the direction and tutelage of the renowned Len LaSana, founder
of International Police Dogs, where he states, “I really learned
about dog training.” Because of his experience Andrew was recognized
by the California Consumer Affairs Bureau of Collection & Investigative
Services as an expert to testify in protection dog training cases.
In 1981, Andrew incorporated Learning Theory and Positive Reinforcement
into his training regimen after reading B.F. Skinner’s Technology
of Teaching, Science and Human Behavior, Contingencies Of Reinforcement,
and Verbal Behavior, and attending seminars given by Glen Johnson. “I
realized that an approach to training and handling different from the
traditional means I had learned was not only possible but necessary.”
Though he received very little support from his colleagues for his newly
developed programs, the use of positive reinforcement in training that
Andrew had advocated in 1982 is now the standard model for dog training.
Andrew explains, “At that time, other trainers and pet care professionals
informed me that I could not and should not train dogs this way.”
With his growing interest in the human aspect of dog training Andrew
shifted his attention to companion dogs and building rewarding relationships
between families and their pets. Wanting to get his message out to a
wider audience Andrew created and hosted his own TV show in the ‘80s
Just the Dawg Gone Facts, in the ‘90s he developed and produced
the Basic Obedience training video, designed the websites 101-Dog-Training-Tips.com
and authored The Puppy Development Guide distributed by local veterinarians
to their clients. At the start of the twenty first century he started
developing RenChenZa.com: “a dog-friendly lifestyle support community
for those interested in how the human/dog experience can make the world
a better place for all Earth’s inhabitants.”
As a behavior consultant/dog trainer Andrew’s expertise was also
sought by many pet care facilities. He is responsible for developing
and directing the Seal Beach Animal Shelter’s first dog training
and rehabilitation program and also co-developed Pet Therapy programs
for the Veteran’s Hospital in the San Fernando Valley and Long
Beach, Del Amo Hospital, and Torrance Memorial Hospital.
While Andrew’s philosophies and years of dog training are reflected
in his new book, three life changing events prompted its publishing.
During some soul searching in the Colorado Desert his introspection
unfolded a trilogy of concepts. The first one surrounding the book’s
chapter about Acceptance (“seldom does a person accept totally,
while dogs do so a little more often”) that is the foundation
for Power-Love-Acceptance.
The second was out of a need for economic survival – “out
of fear of losing my business and becoming impoverished (due to being
devoted to volunteer work at the time).” He now states that from
an improved financial position “I am one again ready to embark
on an attempt to help make the world a better place, through my understanding
of the human/dog experience.”
The third experience was his RenChenZa® concept resulting
from a dream about the human/dog experience while camping in Death Valley
that dictated the direction of his book and life. In Dog Training-Best
Friends Learning Together Andrew gives the human side of the training
team a strategy for understanding and for success through his RenChenZa®
Lifestyle Support Dog® program, which falls “somewhere between
science and what people really do.”
RenChenZa® is Chinese influenced and symbolize people
and dogs. "Za, comes from a word in a Swahili phrase for the ‘first
harvest.’ However, Za can also represent ZaZen a type of Japanese
meditation.” So, RenChenZa® means human-dog-wisdom.
“I see RenChenZa® as a special time for dog owners
to celebrate the joyous support dogs and people give to each other.”
Andrew encourages everyone “to celebrate the good dogs bring to
the world on June 21 as well as the first weekend after the summer solstice.
The annual RenChenZa® Dog Festival is a time of thanksgiving
and renewal that brings dog owners from around the world together in
solidarity during the first part of every summer.”
It’s his dream that those who understand the human/dog experience
can make the world a better place. As Andrew states, “To know
about dogs is to know about life.”
Dog Training-Best Friends Learning Together will be published in June
2008 and available online and at special Best Friends Paw Parties. Andrew
has also trained dogs for appearances on television, videos and films,
and print work.
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