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About Clay Smith

Owner/Trainer at Clay's Top Dog | 15+ Year Law Enforcement Officer | 12+ Year Police K9 Handler | Certified Law Enforcement Instructor | State of Arkansas K9 Certifying Official | DrugBeat National Certifying Official | Instructor at Little Rock K9 Academy | Serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter 501(c)(3) F.O.C.A.S.

To Soak or not to Soak that is the question

Pre-soaking your dog's dry food before feeding it to them can offer several benefits for their health and well-being. Here are some of the main advantages of this practice: Improved digestion: One of the main benefits of pre-soaking dry food is that it can help to soften the kibble, making it easier for your [...]

By |2023-01-09T19:38:36-06:00January 9th, 2023|Categories: General Dog Training|0 Comments

The Place Command – Climb

"Learn how to teach your dog a reliable "place" command with our easy, step-by-step guide. Based in Conway, Arkansas, this is one method you can use positive reinforcement techniques to help your dog learn this important behavior. Choose a designated spot for the dog to go to: This can be a mat, bed, or [...]

By |2023-01-06T17:04:01-06:00January 6th, 2023|Categories: General Dog Training|0 Comments

Potty Training – Not Rocket Science

Training your dog to use the bathroom in an appropriate location is an important part of raising a well-behaved and happy pet. It may take some time and effort, but with patience and consistency, you can help your dog learn to relieve themselves in a designated spot. Every dog is different and may require [...]

By |2023-01-05T20:00:08-06:00January 5th, 2023|Categories: General Dog Training|0 Comments

Obedience Develops Daily not in a Day

"Obedience develops daily, not in a day." -Clay After people watch me perform an obedience demo with one of my dogs I like to ask them how long they think I spend with my dog on training.  I typically get answers anywhere from 1 to 2 hours a day.  People are often shocked to [...]

By |2019-01-07T19:19:52-06:00November 20th, 2017|Categories: General Dog Training|0 Comments

Tether Tug Malinois Tug Toy

If you are looking for a great toy for your GSD or Malinois puppy then I recommend the tethertug!  I am going to be getting 2 different models to bring out to club training soon! The malinois tug toy is here! There are several ways to use this tug toy with [...]

By |2019-01-07T19:19:52-06:00October 20th, 2017|Categories: Equipment, General Dog Training|0 Comments

Escape proof dog kennel

To answer your question, YES, there is an escape proof dog kennel for your malinois. Well, I am sure there is a small percentage of dogs that could destroy the kennel in 18 years of dog training I have not met that dog yet.  There are really two brands that I suggest.  Elite [...]

Belgian Malinois Because German Shepherds Need Heroes Too

  I have been looking for an appropriate Belgian malinois T-Shirt for a while. I decided to make my own design. So to all the German Shepherd Owners... You know you want one too. Quit cryin. God made the Belgian Malinois because German Shepherds need Heros Too. Malinois so German Shepherds can have [...]

By |2019-01-07T19:19:52-06:00June 7th, 2016|Categories: Humor|0 Comments

My concepts of drives in protection training

 A closer look at my understanding of “Drives” in dog training. Now, as a disclaimer, I will go ahead and say that I am not the original creator of any of these theories.  They represent the knowledge that has been passed on to me from several trainers who were better at training than I will [...]

By |2019-01-07T19:19:52-06:00April 26th, 2015|Categories: General Dog Training, Law Enforcement Topics|Comments Off on My concepts of drives in protection training

When can the police use K9 to conduct a sniff of a lawfully stopped vehicle? – by Clay Smith

  As a result of the recent United States Supreme Court Decision in: RODRIGUEZ v UNITED STATES there has been a lot of discussion, concern, confusion, and controversy on the issue of using a K9 to sniff a vehicle during or after a traffic stop.  Actually I am unsure why this case has received as much publicity [...]

By |2019-01-07T19:19:52-06:00April 25th, 2015|Categories: K9 Legal Issues, Law Enforcement Topics|4 Comments

The only thing two dog trainers can agree on is that the third trainer is wrong!

The title of this post is one of my favorite quotes about dog training that I have heard over the years. These days there are more so-called and self-described “experts” found in every nook and cranny of the internet, forums, Facebook, blogs, and chat rooms than you can shake a stick at. So how do [...]

By |2019-01-07T19:19:53-06:00November 25th, 2014|Categories: General Dog Training|2 Comments