Training Methods

My methods are reward based and positive making the learning experience fun for you and your dog.

If your boss did not pay you, would you go to work? If your boss constantly berated you for your mistakes, but never praised you for your good work, would you like her very much? I doubt it. If you are that kind of "boss" to your dog, you could be ruining your relationship with a beautiful, loving, intelligent friend.  Dogs don't need to be corrected.  Dogs need to be taught using kind and effective methods using rewards.
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We all need motivation whether it be praise, money, or prestige. Dogs need to be motivated to work just like we do. Rewards are used to teach new behaviors. Dogs will work for food, attention, and other life rewards such as dinner, walks, petting, and games.

Positive Training Methods Are:

• Humane. Fear and pain are not used to train.  By reading dogs’ signals, I am able to understand the dog’s point of view, and I work to set the dog up for success.
• Effective. Dogs learn much more quickly and thoroughly, and they retain what they have learned extremely well.
• Based upon the most up-to-date knowledge about canine learning and behavior and human-animal bonds.
• Fun and rewarding for both the dog and the person and enhance the bond between us.

Equipment Used
Buckle Collars
No Pull Harnesses
6 Foot Leash
NO choke chains (AKA training collars), head halters, prong collars,
​or electric collars needed or used.  Such equipment is aversive and not recommended.

Principles of Positive Training

• Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding and eventually cease behaviors that are not. Reward what you like; don’t inadvertently reward what you don’t like.
• Your dog already knows everything you are going to teach him. No, he is not psychic, but he does already know how to sit, lie down, and come. You will teach him to perform the behaviors on cue and the first time you tell him.
• Think in terms of what you want your dog to do instead of what you don't want him to do. Such as; “I want my dog to sit to greet people." rather than, “I want him to stop jumping all over people." Teach your dog what you want.
• ​Teach your dog instead of correcting your dog. It’s terribly unfair to correct a dog instead of teaching the dog what you want. For example: it’s unfair, damaging and cruel to use equipment to correct a dog for not walking nicely on leash when you’ve never invested time into teaching the dog how to walk nicely on leash.
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• Be consistent and fair.

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A Bit About Dominance
Training has nothing to do with being dominant and being alpha.  Dominance theory has been debunked by the researcher Dr. David Mech who came up with the theory in his study of wolves in the 1970s.

Dominance trainers tell you that you must dominate the dog through punishment and corrections using outdated methods and equipment.  They tell  you that you must be alpha or your dog will control you.  Such trainers use alpha rolls, choke collars, prong collars and electric collars.  They use intimidation and force.  Such methods are abusive.

​Simply put, dominance is outdated nonsense. Your dog needs a fair leader who teaches with patience and kindness. Your dog doesn’t need you to alpha roll him or punish him.  Nothing screams no skill to me than a trainer who uses methods debunked by science.

​NOTE:  Dog training is NOT a regulated industry.  Anyone can say they are a trainer.  No certification, education, experience or license is required.  Choose a trainer wisely.  Ask questions about methods and equipment used.  Avoid trainers who talk about punishment, correction, being alpha.  Avoid trainers who use prong collars, electric or stimulation collars.  Choose a trainer who uses fair and kind methods to teach what is expected instead of someone focused on punishing a dog who has never been shown what is expected of her.