Honour The Dog: Reclaiming Your Role as a Leader
Your dog is not a baby. It is a magnificent, intelligent apex predator that deserves to be treated with respect. My philosophy is built on clear communication, structure, and the partnership you both need to thrive.
We must honour our dogs for the amazing creatures they are. They are majestic, intelligent, and robust. Let's stop killing them with kindness and treat them for exactly what they are: dogs.
The modern world is twisting what it means to care for a dog. They are not babies. They are pristine animals that deserve respect for their nature. Honour the dog.
Your dog is not a baby. It is an apex predator that deserves to be treated like a dog. This culture of humanizing dogs is creating preventable behavioral problems.
This is my core belief. Dog training is not about showing off to the world. It is about proving to your dog that you are a capable and trustworthy leader for him.
In Hawaiian culture, you are not an owner, but a "Kahu": a guardian, protector, and steward. This perfectly captures the relationship I strive to build, one based on respect and protection, not possession.
It is warped and wrong to let a dog become overweight and unhealthy while thinking that giving it a job is cruel. Dogs are meant to have purpose. We must treat them as dogs.
Let's start honouring our dogs. They are the best animal on the planet. We need to treat them for what they are to truly show our love.
People treat their dogs like children, but they are not children. They are dogs. They deserve to be treated with respect for their true nature.
About My Training Philosophy: Honour The Dog
The biggest mistake I see in my Bangalore facility is not a lack of love, but over-humanization. When you treat your dog like a baby, you confuse their instincts and invite behavioral issues. True respect means giving them a job, setting clear boundaries, and being the calm, consistent leader they are biologically wired to follow.
Moving From 'Owner' to 'Guardian'
In Hawaiian culture, a Kahu is a guardian, a protector, and a steward. This is the only way to view your relationship with a dog. When you focus on 'ownership' or treat them like a child, you create an unbalanced dynamic that leaves the dog guessing. My training philosophy is about removing that guesswork.
Why Structure Comes Before Bond
Many people come to me looking for a 'bond' with their dog, but they skip the foundation. You cannot have a deep, authentic relationship without structure. My work at the Bellahalli facility involves teaching dogs how to regulate their arousal, impulse control, and engagement. We use grip work and drive building to channel their natural instincts into productive outlets. This isn't about suppression; it is about channeling energy so your dog is fulfilled, not frustrated.
The Reality of Modern Training
We live in a world where giving a dog a job is labeled 'cruel' by those who don't understand canine psychology, yet they accept a dog that is 30kg overweight and anxious. I reject that. If your dog is a Doberman, a German Shepherd, or a Rottweiler, they have genetic predispositions that need to be honoured. My training programs—whether for basic obedience or advanced protection—are designed to test and build nerve strength, not just teach tricks. If you are ready to stop blaming the breed and start building a real, working partnership, we have plenty to talk about.
Vicky Franklin
I am Vicky. I have spent over 15 years in Bangalore helping families realize that their dog isn't a child, but a companion that needs guidance. My own squad—Ice, Dre, and the rest—are proof that when you treat a dog like a dog, you get a loyal partner, not a liability.
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