Training
My Training Philosophy
I train dogs in a different way than other dog trainers due to my more than 28 years of experience and my educational background with a Degree in Zoology and Animal Behavior from the University of Washington.
Dogs are like us in their need for love, acceptance, and attention and yet they still are genetically geared toward ancestral dog behaviors and actions. With my positive reinforcement training techniques, I educate the owner of the cues, however small, they are giving their pet as response to their actions. These cues can affect an owner's relationship with their dog; meaning the responses we give our dog shape and determine the relationship we have with our dog.
In-home training is beneficial for your dog at any age. They need to learn the proper behaviors you, the owner expects in the home, if any expectations of proper behavior outside the home are to be obtained. Classroom or group training will not give you the in-depth details you need as an owner of a dog to understand your pet's psyche and his individual needs based on the breed and temperament of your individual dog. Taking your dog to a group class can be very stressful and cause anxiety for both you and your dog.
I do not use: treat training, clicker training or negative reinforcement training. All of these techniques result in an unreliable and confused pet. If you do not have the tools, or force needed at the time, training with your dog is lost and inconsistent behavior patterns are the result.
Treat training requires you to be a vending machine to your dog. If he sits, you give him a treat. What if he sits and you don't have a treat? The dog will become lackadaisical in his response to commands from you because there is not a sure reward as an end for him.
Clicker training is based on a click and treat reward system. As a reward for any given behavior, you are trying to teach, you are providing a treat. The dog sits, you click and then provide a treat to teach a behavior. What will you do when you do not have a clicker and treat in hand? Your dog will discover you don't have a treat. Again, behavior becomes undependable and illogical due to lack of extra tools.
Negative reinforcement training is based on the principle of punishment for bad behavior. This is a risky and fearsome position to put yourself in with any sized dog and is correlative to physically punishing a child. Dogs are very intelligent animals and can learn wanted behaviors. They do not need to be "broken" or forced into submission. Depending on your individual pet's personality, using negative reinforcement training will create very different results. A timid dog will become neurotic. A calm, easy spirited dog will become fearful and learn to avoid interactions with you. Headstrong, self-willed dogs will become aggressive and combative with the owner.
My training is based on your relationship with your dog. Your reward for your dog is your positive praise and attention. No other extra tools need to be involved. Using this type of training allows the owner to establish their role as the leader with their dog. This role must be established to have a respectful relationship between you and your pet.
