Blog: Reminder Of My Training Methods

My training methods are simple. I use non-aversive tools. I don’t create a painful experience for the dog in order to get the response that I’m looking for. I wait (many times) for the dog to respond, to my encouragement of the action I’m needing from the dog. Does this frustrate me? You might ask, “Absolutely”, but so did potty training my children. I also, speak with authority and that is not aversive training.

Photo: Freya (Border Collie) 7 months old

The “problem,” clients (or potential clients) have with my methods, it’s not a microwave technique. The owners will not see an immediate change but changes will become obvious within a few sessions. This takes team effort from myself (trainer) and the clients. If the client is unwilling to participate, then it’s not going to work. There might be some positive changes but they might not be long term; or the dog might not progress to a higher level (stunted), of positive behavior(s); that the owner is looking for. The dog will continue to regress towards the negative behavior(s) that you, as the owner have encouraged. The dog feels empowered by what the owners have given her permission to do, albeit for a moment, the dog can get into mischief of his own choosing. In reality it’s less painful for the dog, even though it really isn’t; a lot can happen to the dog; it can get hit by a car, run away, etc.

As I have mentioned, in previous blogs; pain isn’t or shouldn’t be an option in dog training. You might get the response you are looking for if you are using an e-collar, but “Whoa! unto you,” if the batteries fail.

Aesop’s fable: ‘The Tortoise and The Hare’“Slow and Steady wins the race!!”

🐾 Happy Patient Tails!