SAN FRANCISCO — Six-year-old Mikey is a German Shepard Husky combine. His canine mother Elena Zulueta was frightened about his habits as he acted aggressively whereas walking close to folks.
She tried completely different trainers and even a boarding faculty. She hoped {that a} four-hour session with controversial canine coach Augusto Deoliveira would yield some constructive adjustments.
“I’ve a vicious canine right here in order that’s why we need to simply attempt it to see if it might assist,” Zulueta mentioned.
She was met with protesters as she entered a San Francisco building on Saturday afternoon. Many of the protesters had been canine trainers. They keep that Deoliveira, who’s higher recognized on social media as The Dog Daddy, is abusing animals.
“Each one in all us has our personal opinion however, for me, if it might assist my canine, why not?” Zulueta requested.
The Dog Daddy has hundreds of thousands of followers. He claimed to have modified the habits of a number of the worst dogs however critics say he makes use of drive and inflicts ache and will get solely short-term compliance.
“Unfortunately, they’re the victims of an unregulated business and the factor that they are attempting subsequent is one thing that might doubtlessly make their canine a lot, a lot worse,” mentioned Christina Cambie, a canine coach and habits advisor.
There are not any laws relating to canine coaching. No license required thus no oversight.
“Is this the way you need to deal with your canine? Would you utilize these strategies on a baby to make them obey?” requested Ren Volpe, a canine coach and habits advisor.
KPIX was not allowed contained in the coaching session. An attendee offered a video of Saturday’s session which confirmed the Dog Daddy working with roughly 30 homeowners.
Dog homeowners mentioned that they had paid $100 to $400 to attend. Many mentioned it was their final resort.
“(My canine Sophia has) already bitten one other canine or two within the neighborhood and I do not need it to escalate the place she may damage a human and the ultimate could occur — euthansia,” mentioned proprietor Paula Kotzen.
Kotzen mentioned she helps The Dog Daddy and believes his technique can assist her canine.
“There’s loads of misunderstanding on what I do as a result of, while you attain hundreds of thousands of individuals every day, there’s loads of completely different opinions that get shaped,” Deoliveira informed KPIX.
Deoliveira conducts one-day coaching periods throughout the nation. He mentioned he has years of expertise working with dogs. He mentioned that, in every session, he gives strategies that canine homeowners can take home to work on sustainable habits adjustments.
“The false impression that I’m abusing dogs comes from folks that do not perceive that, particularly, the kinds of dogs that come to me are dogs which might be very out-of-control. They have tried all the pieces else,” Deoliveira mentioned.
For Zulueta, she mentioned Mikey was very calm after the coaching.
“It’s superb. It’s very informative. I’m very completely satisfied and happy,” Zulueta mentioned.
The Dog Daddy has scheduled one other coaching session later this month in Sacramento. Protesters mentioned they plan to exhibit at that occasion as effectively.
