Training Philosophy
Evidence based & humane training
Understanding what our dogs are trying to communicate is essential and the ground floor of improving their behaviors. We start by building a foundation of trust between you and your dog.
What you can expect:
The use of positive reinforcers such as food, toys, attention and play to improve and increase desired behaviors.
Dogs are trained without the use of pain, fear, startling, threats, coercion or any other punishment-based training.
The techniques used are reward-based, with a focus on cooperation, trust and communication with our dogs.
We always work at your dog’s pace with kindness and respect.
We are proactive, rather than reactive. Setting up the environment to help our dogs focus on what to do rather than what not to do.
Have FUN while learning! When we enjoy the process, we are more inclined to get better at it. This is true for our dogs too.
Why choose a certified trainer?
Dog training is an unregulated industry, and there are a lot of trainers still using out-of-date methods that do more harm than good. Sadly these training beliefs can lead to dogs becoming more fearful and aggressive. For the well-being of your dog, finding a professional who only uses force-free training methods is essential. Please read the American Veterinarian Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) position statement about punishment to understand better why force should not be an option — especially when working with fearful, anxious and aggressive dogs.