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Amanda Cruz

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Growing up, in rural Tracy, CA, I had just about every domesticated (and some not) animal that you can image, with the lone exception of a cow.  (It's on my bucket list to have a cow and name them Macushla).  We always had at least a few dogs and my favorite shows on TV featured dogs.  When I saw that Joel Silverman came out with a VHS series for how to train dogs I begged my parents for it so I could start training our German Shepherd, Cheyenne.  Fast forward to meeting Mike at 17 and the journey we began together through the ups and downs of 25 years and the health challenges he has faced.  Our life has become about helping dogs and helping learn to live together in the best way possible.

Although my full-time focus is not dog training, I attend the workshops and seminars, read the books, listen to the podcasts and assist Mike in training the dogs.  It's a shared passion to help people with not only dog obedience, but really educating them on the behavior of their dog and how to live in harmony with their dog.  

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The Hidden Struggle of Working Breeds in Pet Homes

  • engageddogtrainer
  • Oct 20
  • 1 min read

Part 3 - Understanding What Drives Working Breeds


Every breed was designed with purpose in mind. Border Collies herd. Malinois protect. Huskies pull. Cattle Dogs push and chase. Those instincts run deep — generations deep.


That’s why a Border Collie circles kids, why a Cattle Dog nips at heels, and why a Malinois patrols the backyard fence. These aren’t “problems.” They’re genetics expressing themselves.


Our job as owners is to respect those instincts and redirect them. Instead of fighting nature, we can shape it — through training, structure, and meaningful work. Once you understand what your dog was bred to do, you can finally give them what they need to feel fulfilled.

border collie laying against the couch
border collie laying against the couch

 
 
 

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