A group of 41 dog trainers, dog lovers, Humane Society representatives and representatives from rescue organizations from across the country descended onto the seven-acre Robin MacFarlane property, just west of Hazel Green recently for an informative three-day, hands-on dog training workshop. Participants traveled to Hazel Green from as far away as California, Louisiana, Missouri and Arizona.

The workshop was held at That’s My Dog!, a year-round dog training facility owned by MacFarlane, who specializes in obedience training and problem solving, puppy preschool and specialty training for all types of dogs. MacFarlane is also involved in a continuing certification program from Fred Hassen’s "No Limitations" dog training school in Las Vegas, Nevada. MacFarlane is one of only a few of Hassen’s certified trainers in the country.

The three-day workshop was highlighted by Hassen and his work with an electronic remote dog collar, manufactured by Tri-Tronics Inc. Some of the weekend’s demonstrations included basic obedience and retrieval through advanced protection and search work.

After completing the weekend workshop MacFarlane was more than pleased with some of the feedback from the participants. The responses ranged from "phenomenal" to "amazing". MacFarlane said one participant even asked her when she was going to host another training session. "It always makes me smile because I know this is what we expect when a person is ‘properly’ trained to use this equipment," said MacFarlane. "There are ‘huge’ misconceptions about electronic collars and that is due to the fact that ‘very’ few persons truly know how to use them correctly." MacFarlane compares the collar issue to that of a veterinarian that uses a scalpel on an animal during surgery. If someone says "Well heck, my vet uses a scalpel to spay my dog, so I’m just going to Wal-Mart and I’ll get a scalpel and do the work myself." MacFarlane said, chances are that person will make an enormous mess of the job and it’s not because of the scalpel. The same principle applies to the electronic collars. MacFarlane said dog training tools require the necessary training before they can provide the appropriate results. MacFarlane never sells a dog collar without first having the person sign up for the necessary training. "We offer training for a lifetime with our products," she added.

MacFarlane said her work is constantly being scrutinized and under a microscope because they use electronic dog collars. She believes the collars are grossly misunderstood and asks people to see her work with their own eyes and compare it to other trainers and then form an opinion. "At least then it is an educated opinion," she added.

In addition to the remote collar work, MacFarlane is proficient in a number of different training methods and equipment. She is also the secretary and a director for the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). MacFarlane and Hassen are currently in the midst of arranging a workshop for the organization’s annual conference next March.

That’s My Dog! has been in business since 1994 and in Hazel Green since 1999