Dogspeak

What it is and why choose it...

Put very simply, using positive (sometimes also known as "force-free") dog training means that you are choosing to be a predictably positive, trustworthy force in your dog's life. And the best part about positive training is that it works for every dog, from household companions to agility competitors to service dogs - even working K9s. 

The basic premise of a positive training plan is that during training, you set your dog up to be in situations where they make good behavioral choices, and you are then able to reinforce those choices with something your dog finds rewarding (usually food but also play, toys, affection, etc). The research of animal behavior scientists show that over time animals (non-human and human alike) come to associate a predictable outcome with the preceding behavior. This means that by rewarding your dog for a particular behavior, they will make that good behavioral choice more frequently because it's reliably followed by something wonderful!

Now, does my training philosophy mean that I never get frustrated with my dog or tell her, "NO, don't pick that up off the ground!"? Does it mean that I expect my students to never get frustrated with their dogs? Of course not, we're only human. But I hope that my students are willing to learn skills and habits for getting the best out of their relationship with their dog, and by doing so they won't have as many moments of frustration. My professional experience and education have taught me that this approach consistently works to change behavior and to strengthen communication between dogs and people. It means that I can keep my dog and my students' dogs looking to humans as trustworthy guides and companions.

I highly recommend that you read more about what positive training means (written in much more eloquent words than mine), starting with Dr. Patricia McConnell's discussion of the topic, as well as acclaimed trainer, writer, and TV star Victoria Stilwell's explanation.

All this being said, I am a shame-free dog trainer. I want my students and community to feel free to contact me with questions about training methods they've used in the past, seen others use, or want to try with their dog.