Methods
The best way I can describe my training techniques is that they are fair. I give the dog the choice to follow the command given. If he follows the command, he gets tons of praise. If he does not follow the command, he gets a warning and if he still does not comply, he receives a correction. By training this way, you will end up having a dog who obeys because he wants to, not because he is scared of you or because he wants a treat.
I balance my training methods with positive reinforcement and corrections. Positive reinforcement is used whenever the dog follows a command that was given to him. He is lavished with praise to communicate that what he has just done is very, very good. Praise can be followed by a treat or pat on the head. The more difficult the exercise is for the dog, the more praise he receives when he follows the command. He is always praised for doing a good job, even if he has just completed an exercise he has mastered. When training a new behavior, I use only positive reinforcement until I am sure the dog knows what I am asking him to do.
Once I am sure the dog understands a command, it is time to use a correction if he chooses not to follow it. I believe it is important that there be a consequence for a dog who does not follow commands. You wouldn’t teach a child to stay away from a hot stove by having him stand next to one and give him lollipops for not touching it. Eventually, the child will not be in the mood for candy and will touch the stove anyway. The same principal holds true for dogs. The way to teach your dog to be a Gentle Hound is through praise and corrections.
The correction is not always the same for every dog. Some dogs will respond to a stern “NO” while others need a tug on a buckle collar. There are still other dogs who need a correction from a training collar or remote collar. The trick is to match the proper amount of correction for each individual dog for each specific situation. I will show you how to find that correction level and help you select the correct tools to train your dog.
You will learn to correct your dog for non-compliance in a way that you both can still have fun practicing your obedience. Corrections are essential in order to keep you and your dog safe. When performed properly, a correction can tell a dog not to chase cars, not to bark at the mailman, not to run out into the road or simply to drop the ball.
With practice, the level of correction required for your dog should decrease. For example, a dog who starts working on a training collar should eventually be able to walk on a buckle collar without pulling. The correction is a tool that is used to communicate to the dog that what he has just done is not allowed. It should only be used when you are sure that your dog knows the command.
I will work with you and your dog to make sure he knows what you are asking him to do. All of my methods are humane and tailored to your dog's needs. I would not recommend any methods that I haven't already tried successfully with my own dog. You are welcome to watch me work my dog, Graham, on our Saturday Strolls.
Updated: June 5, 2010