out rid er: (noun)
one who travels ahead or beside in order to guide and protect
a trailblazer; forerunner
Years ago my stepfather took me to the race track. There were these riders, in bright red vests, who would race out to catch a runaway thoroughbred. These riders and their horses were incredible. They would position themselves alongside, a nose length ahead, and hold stride with these stallions until their riders could grab the reins and calm them down. They called the pair, Outriders. I couldn’t help but think how much it reminded me of the way my shepherd Judah would help me train reactive dogs. I would often place Judah alongside a reactive dog, a nose length ahead, and we’d walk together past that dog's triggers. Judah's presence, his body language cues and calm demeanor, would help relax the dog and we’d continue ahead without incident. People would say how much I helped them, but just like the riders' horses at the track, I couldn’t have done it without Judah. Judah’s energy and the way he carried himself, helped bring these dogs back into balance. When it came time to name the business, an organization built on saving those who had physically and mentally strayed, it only made sense to call it Outrider Dogs. It also only made sense that Judah be the symbol.
Trainers
Ben Garson w/ Judah, Kovu, Bill, Hatchet & Po
OWNER/TRAINER
Ben has been working in canine behavior for over a decade and specializes in the prevention and modification of unwanted behavioral issues. In 2023 Ben sold his ownership stake in his company Dogology in order to dedicate himself to Outrider Dogs. Ben has been featured monthly on his NBC Segment “Ask the Dogologist,” and has been interviewed by The Hartford Courant, ABC, FOX, Nutmeg TV, Canton Life, and Valley Life. His training methods have won him numerous awards, including being voted “Best Dog Trainer” in the CTNow Readers Poll for seven straight years. Whether working with a juvenile dog to prevent unwanted behaviors before they emerge, or with a mature dog to modify existing behaviors, Ben gives people the tools to be more confident, respected dog owners. His goal is to help owners understand the modern canine mind and, in turn, bridge the communication gap between dog and owner. Ben believes in the utility of both positive reward-based methods and correction-based methods, and does not see them as mutually exclusive. He seeks to connect these two methods, to use the best of both. It's his belief that such an approach benefits dogs, the broader training community, and ultimately the satisfaction of the owners. Ben's flexible, all-encompassing, creative approach draws inspiration from a wide range of disciplines, such as Zen Buddhist philosophy, human psychology, and the social sciences. Just as some holistic practitioners take a “root cause” approach to treatment, Ben takes a “root cause“ approach to training. In addition to his behavioral background, Ben has worked in the veterinary field and has broad canine medical and nutritional knowledge. Ben resides in Simsbury with his wife, their two sons and their four dogs.
Lexi Selden w/ Raikou & Judge
TRAINER
In 2021 Lexi joined Outrider Dogs as a full time trainer. Lexi has a bachelors in animal behavior, interning as part of her college curriculum as the caretaker of various species of wolf. She has worked in the pet industry for a decade and has held positions in boarding kennels, training facilities, and specialized in physical therapy during her time as a veterinary technician. She regularly fosters and volunteers for local rescues and has a constant flow of foster dogs coming into her home. Lexi has a background in behavior modification training, board and train, and agility. Through Outrider she aims to help people build a better relationship with their dogs through enrichment and obedience training. When Lexi is not helping change the lives of other people and their dogs you can find her with her own dogs, Raikou and Judge, hiking, taking photographs and anything else that involves being outdoors.