At Wag Ur Tail Dog Training, we utilize positive training.
What does that mean exactly? Positive training simply means that you can train your dog without violence or anger or fear. It means rewards are used rather than punishments. Dogs don’t think like we do. They don’t have the capacity to always understand what we are asking of them. And they certainly don’t speak English, so we have to learn how to communicate with them in a different way. Hopefully, the method we choose will support mutual trust and respect.
According to Victoria Stilwell there are four pillars of positive training.
The use of positive reinforcement.
The avoidance of intimidation, physical punishment or fear
The comprehension of the often misunderstood concept of dominance.
The commitment to understanding the canine experience from the dog’s point of view.
All four of these make perfect sense and are as easy to do (perhaps easier) as yelling or even striking your pet. You may need to be trained to know how do them, but it will be well worth it. It’s heartbreaking to see a sweet dog cringe because he’s afraid he’s done something wrong and that his pet parent will attack him. They want to please us, and they try, but they don’t always understand what it is we expect. Once they do, and you know how to properly handle your dog, you and your pets will be much happier.
Remember, your tone of voice is crucial. They can often understand what you mean without understanding the language. They love you. They want to please you and they absolutely love to be praised by you. You have friends, jobs, family… they have only you.
Want to know more about our positive dog training methods? Drop a comment below or give us a call!