

Ep. 7 - Tom Rose on Imprinting, Competition, and the Art of Dog Training
Apr 3, 2025
Join legendary dog trainer Tom Rose, founder of The Tom Rose School, as he shares his journey in transforming dog training. Discover the groundbreaking Puppy Imprinting Program that he pioneered and its profound effect on canine education. Tom delves into the secrets of building elite obedience and protection dogs, highlighting the mindset required for championship-level competition. Hear about the importance of hands-on practice to reduce dog bites, and learn how his school's graduates are making waves in the industry worldwide.
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From Show Handler To Trainer
- Tom Rose started as a professional confirmation show handler and transitioned into training because people praised his handling skills.
- He began training clients' show dogs, then police and pet dogs as demand grew.
DIY Protection Gear And Early Injuries
- Early trainers made their own protection gear and learned by trial and error, often getting hurt.
- Tom described taped boards and gunny sack sleeves and admitted they injured handlers and dogs at first.
Tracking Trains For Evidence, Not Retrieval
- Schutzen/FH tracking values honesty and indication, not item retrieval by the dog.
- That style preserves evidence and trains police-search behavior rather than play-based retrieval.