Our Training Method

We are frequently asked which style of obedience training we provide; there are so many different names out there - "pure positive", "lure/reward", "correction/aversion", "dominance-based" just to name a few. The short answer? We pride ourselves on being "Balanced". The long answer follows:

Dogs are animals; they are not wolves and they are not children. They have a different set of basic needs than we do and the only way to get positive results is to ensure that those needs are met. Once we begin to understand those needs, we can understand our dogs and communicate more effectively with them.

When you're looking for a dog trainer, be wary of anyone who uses one specific method and claims that it is the "only way". What may work with one dog, may not work with another. I think that it is important for us to understand the different techniques and methods that are out there and use them accordingly.

We have worked with many dogs who were rescued from very grim situations and many of them were quite apathetic towards treats and toys. If we were set on only using a "lure-reward" system, this might be an issue that would mean no success. These dogs did not respond to any lures or rewards, even verbal praise. We had to really start from scratch in order to build a level of trust and their self-confidence before we could lure them to us or even reward them.

Other dogs that we have worked with have been so high-strung or aggressive that they do not respond to treats either, and we have had to use other methods such as "corrections" or pinch collars for a short time. This does not mean that we were using abusive or negative techniques - we are using alternate techniques in a very controlled environment.

Now, had we tried to use corrections or pinch collars with the rescued dogs mentioned above, we would have broken their spirits and done more damage than good. This shows that it's important to know which method or technique to use with which dog, under which circumstances.

The bottom line is that not all dogs will react identically to the same stimulus, so we need to be more flexible and open-minded in order to ensure success for each dog and their owners.

Our goal is to work with you, the owner, in order to understand your specific needs and build an action plan that is both realistic for you and your lifestyle, as well as easy to maintain. We are not interested in temporary solutions, rather realistic solutions using tools and techniques that will ensure long-term success.