My approach.
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Led by Science
Positive reinforcement has many names in the dog training industry: reward-based training, science-based training, force-free or pain-free training, etc.
Whatever label it is given, the general theory behind this method of training is the same:
Behaviour rewarded is behaviour repeated.
What I love about this method is that it requires a dog owner to make a real point of spending time on thinking “what does my dog really love” - it could be food, fuss, play, a special toy… it is probably all of these things depending on the context!
Ask yourself “What does my dog really love?”
Asking just this one question and then utilising the answer to reward a dog for performing a behaviour instantly reframes the dog and owner dynamic. A dog begins to look to their owner as a source of GREAT STUFF, the owner doesn’t need to stress themselves or their dog(s) out by spending their time together being punitive towards the animal.
Working with your dog
Reinforcing good decisions made by your dog will give them a sense of agency, it removes any need to be overly confrontational and can help you establish rituals or behaviour chains that are more appropriate for your dog’s life with you.
Getting to the bottom of it
Changing undesirable behaviours in your pet using this method means determining the root cause of the behaviour, working out how to modify, redirect or change that behaviour by teaching the dog what you actually do want them to do. This method encourages the dog to learn, to engage with you as their owner and makes them more likely to cooperate with you across all their interactions with you.
The bigger picture
Behaviour does not happen in isolation, it is always part of a bigger picture. I can show you how to take into consideration your dog’s mental, physical, emotional and social needs when working with them. These aspects are integral to a dog’s behaviour and are often overlooked when trying to modify behaviour using methods other than positive reinforcement. If we take time to understand why a dog is doing that, then we can help to teach them an alternative or support them to become more comfortable/less excited/more focused in that scenario.
Train the dog in front of you
It is so important to realise that every dog is an individual – they have individual personalities, individual needs, individual likes and dislikes. All of this is affected by their genetics and life experiences along the way.
Once you take that first step into realising your pet is an individual with their own complex inner life; start saying “yes mate”, rewarding their good decisions and strengthening your relationship. If you take this approach rather than shouting “no” with ever increasing frustration and emphasis, then reaching for the water spray, you will never look back…
I didn’t.
Whatever label it is given, the general theory behind this method of training is the same:
Behaviour rewarded is behaviour repeated.
What I love about this method is that it requires a dog owner to make a real point of spending time on thinking “what does my dog really love” - it could be food, fuss, play, a special toy… it is probably all of these things depending on the context!
Ask yourself “What does my dog really love?”
Asking just this one question and then utilising the answer to reward a dog for performing a behaviour instantly reframes the dog and owner dynamic. A dog begins to look to their owner as a source of GREAT STUFF, the owner doesn’t need to stress themselves or their dog(s) out by spending their time together being punitive towards the animal.
Working with your dog
Reinforcing good decisions made by your dog will give them a sense of agency, it removes any need to be overly confrontational and can help you establish rituals or behaviour chains that are more appropriate for your dog’s life with you.
Getting to the bottom of it
Changing undesirable behaviours in your pet using this method means determining the root cause of the behaviour, working out how to modify, redirect or change that behaviour by teaching the dog what you actually do want them to do. This method encourages the dog to learn, to engage with you as their owner and makes them more likely to cooperate with you across all their interactions with you.
The bigger picture
Behaviour does not happen in isolation, it is always part of a bigger picture. I can show you how to take into consideration your dog’s mental, physical, emotional and social needs when working with them. These aspects are integral to a dog’s behaviour and are often overlooked when trying to modify behaviour using methods other than positive reinforcement. If we take time to understand why a dog is doing that, then we can help to teach them an alternative or support them to become more comfortable/less excited/more focused in that scenario.
Train the dog in front of you
It is so important to realise that every dog is an individual – they have individual personalities, individual needs, individual likes and dislikes. All of this is affected by their genetics and life experiences along the way.
Once you take that first step into realising your pet is an individual with their own complex inner life; start saying “yes mate”, rewarding their good decisions and strengthening your relationship. If you take this approach rather than shouting “no” with ever increasing frustration and emphasis, then reaching for the water spray, you will never look back…
I didn’t.