Training For Willing Cooperation and Performance

 

Cooperation versus dog “obedience”; training has sure come a long way!

Back in the “bad-old-days, so-called dog training involved “showing dogs who was boss” using heavy-handed, domineering methods. Breaking a dog down in the name of training has luckily become (mostly) a thing of the past. Modern dog training methods are based on learning theory and humane, reinforcement-based motivation. Dogs these days are recognized as beloved family members and, as such,are treated with consideration and respect. Teaching dogs how to behave properly and rewarding them for doing the things we want helps make misbehavior obsolete–without the need for punishment! Dogs that willingly cooperate with human partners in dynamic training practices have no need to redirect pent-up energy or act out in order to draw negative attention. 

 

Performance training is the practical part of your dog’s education.

Performance training involves teaching your dog to respond to your cues in a consistently willing manner. Asking your dog to Sit, Stay, Come, Lie Down, Follow, Wait, Go (to a directed location,) Protect, Fetch, Jump Up, Jump Off, Roll-Over, Stand, Shake “Hands,” Play Dead, Assist, Guide, Find, Combat Crawl, Detect, Hunt, Get in the Tub, Hike, Tug, Release, Back-Up, Catch, Dance—whatever! If they are physically capable of it, they can be motivated to WANT to do it–provided you know how to ask them!

 

Before you start thinking “She hasn’t met MY DOG yet!”, or ponder how obstinate, stubborn, and testy your dog is, allow me to mention: The smarter the student, the more intelligent the teacher must be!

Some of the most well trained dogs I know were once the naughtiest, at least from their peoples’ perspectives! Consider the dog’s hypothetical point of view: If your leadership doesn’t make sense, or gain better results than can be had doing things their own way, why would your dog opt to follow you?

 

Our applied training programs work with a dog’s intelligence, in a respectful manner.

When all of that determination, will, and energy are working with you, you will have an awesome ally! Methods that dominate, threaten, and punish cause dogs to want to quit or fight back. Suppressing and restraining dogs is not training; it impedes their education. Positive reinforcement dog training, based on modern scientific research, helps dogs learn without force. Dogs must be encouraged to confidently experiment in a safe manner and to learn where the best outcomes are always found–through cooperative choices with their human partners!