Happy Dogs and Happy Humans! Positive Training works!

The scientific principles of positive reinforcement at work ... work that looks like fun though eh!!!?!!!

When dogs are trained through this method they actually want to do what we ask of them because of trust, communication and their relationship with us; their benevolent leader!

Dogs can learn to control their impulses if they are taught that is how they get access to the good things in life.

We promote using management to prevent "mis-behaviour" and then teach "correct" behaviour. Sometimes even getting a chance to misbehave for a moment can be reinforcing to a dog no matter the outcome. Polite social skills with people and dogs are taught in this way.

The behaviours or “cues” that we teach to our dogs are used as a "key" to things in life that they want. This is called the Premack principle and it is the basis for many of the exercises that we teach.

In this way "Obedience commands" can be achieved without any use of force or intimidation. In fact by using reinforcement correctly a behaviour can actually become stronger over time and more reliable in different situations. Over time you need to use “rewards” less and less often because that is how you strengthen the behaviour! Teaching off leash skills is not difficult because it wasn't used as a training tool in the first place.

With control and intimidation methods it is often the force that has to get stronger in order to maintain the desirable behaviour and it has to be repeated in different scenarios. The dogs' desire to "misbehave" hasn't been changed. It is only being temporarily suppressed ... until that time when they know you can’t make them do it or when they want something that they think is better than you have to offer or that time ....

We promote positive reinforcement training because we know it works and have seen it work over and over and over again ... with many different breeds and types and ages of dogs. Sadly I have also seen force and intimidation methods used on dogs and though in some cases it appeared to work to punish the problem behaviour it actually only suppresses it temporarily ... and along with it also suppresses the life in the dogs eyes. Aversive methods also increase anxiety, reactivity and aggression in dogs. What happens when a child or another person is unable to physically dominate a dog? Why can Walruses be trained?

If given the choice wouldn’t you or any other individual rather be with a trainer that uses positive reinforcement than one that uses coercive techniques? Using positive techniques makes the trainer feel better too. Win-win situation all round don't you think!?!


Katherine Mutzke and I team together to bring you Training Workshops such as STEP ONE and NEXT STEP - Out and About.
http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/step-one.html


Maren Bruun partners with Eagleview Veterinary Hospital to offer positive reinforcement training and socialization for new puppy owners! Start off on the right paw!
http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/puppy-early-learning-at-local.html