Accurate communication is the key component of easy training.

Listen to the dog, listen to the owner, translate until both understand each other.

It’s about rewarding appropriately (even for the little things) and understanding the things your dog is noticing, so that you can learn how vital your reactions are in order to train successfully.

 

I use and support only Kind, Fair &  Effective Training Methods

 

 

I remember when I was a child, that there was a mad old woman on the telly, who trained dogs by throttling them. I knew this was wrong then.

 

My Grandfather (who trained both dogs and horses) told me that her methods were bunkum.

He explained his methods (which I now understand to be a combination of Operant and Classical Conditioning) in the language which he understood (whispering), showing me how to teach simple tasks to animals and most importantly, the animals wanting to perform them.

 

I have always found that learning is easier when broken down into manageable steps; this applies to most aspects of life, but especially to working with animals.

 

The emphasis of my approach is the translation of any requested action into a form that the animal can respond to, capturing the desired response and then reinforcing the response through reward and repetition.

Of additional importance is the ability to observe when the incorrect interpretation is being made by the animal or owner, as this can just as easily reinforce an undesired response.

 

I became a member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) because I agree with and adhere to their ethos of Kind, Fair and Effective methods only. I abhor harsh treatment of animals and work closely with owners during periods of frustration (for both owner and animal) in order to maintain a calm partnership. 

I also work closely with both the animals and owners to ensure that they appreciate the effects of each other’s emotions on their relationship in general.

 

Trust is the key, as is their ability to communicate effectively.

I surprise many owners who often don’t realise the impact that giving mixed messages can have on their dogs’ behaviour, by working silently with animals (particularly with those who have a low fear threshold), using the universal language of interaction, another 'trick' picked up from my Grandfather. 

 

 

I remember him walking through a herd of New Forest Ponies to reach the one he wanted to select. He told me, you have got to let them know what you are doing, and he would reach over each of the ponies back in turn, stroking them on the opposite flank so that they would look round and not be spooked as he passed behind them and they noticed him in their peripheral vision.

This was animal management at its simplest. Making the animal aware of what is coming next, so that it knows what to expect, and can prepare accordingly.

The same applies to all animals, once you have ascertained their unique perspective on their world; you can always find a way to successfully interact with them.

 

What is your dog’s thing, Food, Other dogs, their ball or favourite toy, often it is simply you and your attention?

 

Above all, it’s about entertainment. It’s got to be fun and you have to enjoy it or you won’t both keep at it.    If it’s fun, you do it again.

 

That’s why it’s worth it.

 

If you would like to learn more about effective training methods, and our approach, give us a call. 

 

07897 236835