Bill's Positive Dog Training

07/31/2024

07/31/2024

love when you have worked on a great recall and you can let your dog enjoy life

07/30/2024

Here is a email that was sent from a client i received the other day.
Thanks again Bill, your training was a turning point for us!

“Although our dog is good natured and friendly, and we had some success through training videos and friends advice, we decided we needed hands on help with issues like leash pulling and unwanted jumping at the one year age.
We decided to have Bill come to our home for six training sessions over two months. Bill uses positive reinforcement with both dog and owners, showing by example important body language and reward timing. Our dog was very attentive to Bill’s calm and confident manner. Bill helped us understand how a dog perceives people’s behaviour, the need to change our own behaviour and the importance of dogs needing new challenges and ongoing training. We highly recommend Bill and his one-on-one training methods.”
Julie, Rick & Russell
Berwick

05/22/2024

What is your biggest struggle with training your dog

05/16/2024

I've had a few new followers recently so thought I'd re-introduce myself. 👋

I'm [Bill] and I'm a [Professional dog trainer, service dog trainer and dog behavior consultant.]

I help [dog owners] overcome[ communicating with their dog ] to achieve [ the best quality of life with their best friend.]

I work with [All ages of pet owners] to support them in:

[Teaching English to their dog ]
[solving behavior issue]
[learning the best way to walk their dog together]
And I do that through [science based training ]

I started [Bill’s Positive Dog Training] Three years ago, and it's been the best adventure of my life!

And my own dogs [Angus ] have come along for the ride too! [Angus] is my business sidekick and the one that comes up with all the good ideas! 🐶

Helping my customers [achieve the results or desires they want] has been immensely rewarding.

Pets have been a big part of my life. Nothing brings me greater joy to see [the end result you help your customers achieve.] 💕

And as we hit our Fourth year in business, we've supported many clients to achieve that vision of life they want with their pets.

I'm always excited to meet new dog parents in my circle. So don't be shy!

Share a pic and a little something about you and your dog in the comments below... 👇

[Image suggestion: Share a picture of you and your own pets.]

Call now to connect with business.

03/28/2024

need some info on what is required annual as it relates to vaccines. Is a rabies shot needed.

10/05/2023

This video makes me proud to be a member of the community of science based training methods. It is not about see how well " l" have command over my dog. It is about enriching our dog's life and maki g a life long bond through mutual trust.

09/27/2023

I was just reviewing some information on Aggression in Karen Overall's book . She talk about when we chose to share our lives with dogs we assume some risk. Just like we assume risk every single day in all social interactions. Then she writes. Yet the far greater risk is assumed by dogs, who are expected to translate human language to "dog " and who can be relinquished and euthanized at will, even if it wasn't their fault. The point I am trying to make. I am a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant and I work hard to improve the quality of life for my rescue dog scotia who still has some anxiety issues and I feel so much sympathy for the dogs in the area whose owners have no clue what the are doing and expect their companion to figure out what they want from them.

09/25/2023

Over the last few days, I've seen a few posts by a well-known border collie account shared by well-meaning people.

This account has a large following; their posts appear to be sound, experienced advice.

However, the account routinely shares incorrect and potentially damaging information, and I've bit my tongue until today.

In a recent post, they suggest separating yourself from your separation anxious border collie and not returning to them until they stop showing signs of distress. "Crying it out" is a harmful practice denounced by leading experts in separation anxiety. Forcing your dog to experience distress in any context to "help" the dog is outdated at best and abusive in worst-case scenarios.

Waiting for your dog to experience distress, practice their upset and eventually stop will cause a dog to no longer bother reacting in this context, not a dog who is comfortable being alone. In fact, it can make your dog’s anxieties worse.

The page also recommends not allowing your dog to sleep in your bed or follow you around, suggesting this is why your dog may develop separation anxiety in the first place. This is also untrue.

This is true for any breed, and our border collies aren't treated for separation anxiety in different ways.

Regardless of your dog's breed, please ensure you're seeking current and up-to-date information. The internet is a landmine of this level of outdated, harmful information, and while we trainers have been working so hard to get you proper information, it's really buyer beware.

For current advice from industry experts around separation anxiety for any breed, follow:

Believe in Your Dog - Jackie Johnston
Julie Naismith, helping dogs be happy home alone
Alpine Dogs- Saundra Clow
Malena DeMartini

Or look for CSAT and SAPT certified professionals.

09/21/2023

Most out of context dog behaviors are as I agree with you are misunderstood by their owner.

When we are fighting to stop behaviors without first understanding them, it cause frustration in both the guardian and the dog.

Please share if this resonates with you ❤️

09/09/2023

Very well said.

• Let your puppy cry it out in their crate.
• Spray your dog with compressed air if they bark.
• Push them into a sit or a down.
• Give a sharp tug on the lead when they pull.
• Make them wait for their food.
• Remove their food when they’re eating.
• Be the alpha…show them who’s boss.

Are these things you’d do to someone you care about? Someone whose well-being is entirely in your hands? Someone you want a good relationship with? Someone you want to like you?

Are these things you’d do to your friend?

I’m guessing the answer is no. But they’re all things that are routinely recommended in almost every dog FB group I’m in (which is why I have almost all of them muted because seeing this stuff on a daily basis gets wearing).

Why do we find it so easy to treat our dogs with such casual, unthinking unkindness? Often because we never really stand back and question conventional wisdom. We just accept traditional dogma at face value.

But our dogs deserve more. They deserve us to think more deeply about how we treat them. They deserve to be able to trust us implicitly. They deserve to be treated, and taught, with fairness, kindness & clarity. They deserve to be allowed to be dogs. They deserve to be treated as the friends we say they are.

They deserve us to ditch the dogma, question the conventional wisdom and give as much weight to how they feel as we do to what we want.

09/07/2023

A pediatrician is attempting to examine an infant. He holds the stethescope to the tiny chest but the baby won’t stop squirming. It’s difficult to get an accurate listen. The doctor informs the mother that the baby can’t be allowed to run the show; he needs to show her who’s boss. He slams t...

09/07/2023

I would love to use my knowledge and skill that I have earned through study and experience to educate and change the emotional state of as many dogs I come across.

I know this is a very big issue.
Many people continue to let their puppies/dogs meet this way in the hope that the more dogs they meet, the more calmer they will become.
It has the opposite effect.
Unfortunately all this approach does is show a dog if they pull hard enough, bark loudly enough...they WILL meet the other dog....because that is the way it has always been.
For them...it works.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with dogs showing excitement....but if you have an over excited greeter....you will know the level of excitement they can reach.

Apart from being habit forming a very real issue resulting from this is your own dogs inability to stop, take a breath and read if the other dog is even interested.
If your dog approaches another with that energy....they can be in danger from the other dog.
I also have to add that dogs do not need to meet all other dogs.....it can end in disaster, but if you have a puppy or dog that enjoys the company of others (or you want them to meet other family members dogs)....work on the over excited greetings.

These dogs may also show over excited or hyper behaviour in all sorts of situations.

09/06/2023

09/06/2023

A dog's nature is to sniff. Give them a chance by using a much longer lead than 6 feet.

09/06/2023

I 100 percent agree with this. you need to teach them what we want from them through force free training methods. They can not read our thoughts.

The first step in raising a great dog is earning his trust. The second step is keeping it.

please share if this resonates with you ❤️

09/06/2023

I am noticing more people trying to teach there dog to walk beside them by jerking on the lead.

09/06/2023

When we are fighting to stop behaviors without first understanding them, it cause frustration in both the guardian and the dog.

Please share if this resonates with you ❤️

09/06/2023

Encouraging dogs to sniff on walks is not only natural and instinctual for them but also has many benefits for their physical and mental well-being.

Sniffing provides mental stimulation for dogs, which is important for their overall mental health.

A good sniff also helps them to learn about their environment, identify scents, and understand the world around them. Through sniffing they can also release pent-up energy, which can help to reduce behavioural problems.

Additionally, sniffing can help to alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs, making them feel more relaxed and comfortable on walks.

08/22/2023

Our dogs trust us to be kind and loving. When we show them that we can't be trusted by hurting or scaring them, that trust can never fully be restored.

please share if this resonates with you ❤️`

08/22/2023

So true. Through training . They will look toward you for how to behave

08/16/2023

Love this.

Dogs are not here to be commanded or to be forced into a "good pet" shape.

They are not here for one sided relationships with us at all.

Dogs are here to teach us a much deeper lesson than that.

They are here to teach us our humanity, our kindness, our ability to nurture someone with less power over their lives.

Dogs are here to teach us to be be better people.

But we have to listen to them, to learn from them.

There are way too many people forcing their messed-up selves onto dogs in the name of dog training.

The truth is though, if we respect and care for our dogs, they will tell us what they need and when we know that we can meet their needs.

It only takes a little learning.

A little slowing down.

A little personal growth.

Do you want to change the World for the dogs who need YOU?

Ask us for help in the comments.

08/16/2023

This is heart warming to read

08/16/2023

Encouraging dogs to sniff on walks is not only natural and instinctual for them but also has many benefits for their physical and mental well-being.

Sniffing provides mental stimulation for dogs, which is important for their overall mental health.

A good sniff also helps them to learn about their environment, identify scents, and understand the world around them. Through sniffing they can also release pent-up energy, which can help to reduce behavioural problems.

Additionally, sniffing can help to alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs, making them feel more relaxed and comfortable on walks.

06/09/2023

This is a great post. Positive reinforcement TRAINING creates such a beautiful and trustworthy bond.

Seeing posts and comments about how "positive reinforcement" doesn't work infuriates me.

The comments such as "when these tools are used correctly they do not inflict pain" crap.

Pain is pain. A jerk of a choke collar, a squeeze of a prong collar, the shock of an E-collar. They all do harm no matter how you try to justify it.

Take the time to learn how to properly train using positive reinforcement.

Be a teacher that is trustworthy, knowledgeable, effective and above all... kind.

Do better.

05/27/2023

If you would like to learn loose lead walking. Contact me. It is force free and stress free

Tension creates tension.
Even with the happiest dog that pulls towards another dog....things can change in an instant once they actually meet.

I know many people struggle with their dog dragging them to meet another dog.
Part of the issue is your dog isn't taking the time to read the signals given by the other dog, your dog is showing you the behaviour they have always shown around others....for them, this is how to greet another dog.....full of emotions, excitement and tension on the lead.

They have likely not taken the time to assess the other dogs behaviour as they have already reached a point of over arousal.

They will NEVER stop greeting dogs this way unless shown a better way by you.

Allowing dogs to meet face to face will only encourage your dog to pull and meet others face to face....and that can be a very threatening position for other dogs.

Many dogs dislike leads/leashes when there is any tension put on them, it heightens emotions in dogs.

They may feel restricted.
They may feel unable to move.
They may react with heightened emotions and reactiveness.
and if they feel they cannot move away quickly and they are fearful....they can bite....or be bitten by the other dog that feels threatened.

The best thing you can do is teach your dog a loose lead walking technique.

It is never too late.

05/06/2023

love this post that I am sharing. I believe in the same philosophy.
Training where you build up trust and companionship is so rewarding and loving.

Yes, I am deleting all comments that wish to get me into a debate about the use of shock collars.

This is not a debates page.
I am open-minded, and continue to learn new ways, but my knowledge comes from continued professional development, not facebook arguments.

I continue my research through ethological observations, courses, webinars, podcasts and articles from the top scientists in our field. I learn a lot from the other trainers, behaviour practitioners, anthrozoologists, proffessors of phychology, vets etc, that I am so fortunate to work with.

My education will not come from arguing with people online. All that comes from debating and arguing online is a decline in my mental health and an increase in my stress.

This page is not a debate page, this page is an educational page for people that wish to learn how to live with their dogs in harmony without the use of any techniques that cause discomfort pain or harm.

I have spent my life around livestock animals both living and working on farms. I have for the last 20 years lived with hunting dogs such as lurchers and podencos. I have successfully lived and worked with these dogs with no need for the use of an electric shock collar or any other aversive.

Due to my personal moral standing and ethics, and my experience in working with dogs, it makes no difference what you say to me on my page I will never change my standpoint on this matter.

I do feel for the people that use these tools and are now feeling lost and scared because they don't know how to continue the work that they are doing.

But I promise you there are other ways, and there are plenty of us here that are happy to support you in learning those other ways.

After working in mental health with humans for 20yrs, and seeing how we used to think about the raising of humans and how we supported those that struggled with mental health, I am still shocked to see how slow we are with our changes in perception and education towards dogs.

So if you wish to continue to learn how to live with dogs in a way that does not rely on force and control. If you wish to learn how to live happily or work with dogs in a way that supports trust, equality, love with no strings, mutual respect, with both parties feeling safe and supported, then please stay.

If you wish to just debate and argue, it is not the page for you. There are thousands of places you can do that on Facebook. Although I wouldn't recommend it! It really isn't good for anyone!!

05/04/2023

A little bit of knowledge could save your dog's life.

Have you ever heard someone say, after their dog bit someone, it was "a complete surprise"? They had no idea their dog would bite, and it came entirely from "out of the blue"?

We've heard this a LOT, but if you know what to look for, dog bites are very predictable and preventable because dogs almost always display multiple warning signs that they are uncomfortable, anxious, or afraid about certain specific people, places or things, long before they ever bite someone. It's just that most people ignore these warning signs.

There are a handful of VERY common triggers that are likely to make dogs feel stressed, and you should know what they are so you can be on the lookout for signs that your dog is avoidant or fearful around these things. If your dog is fearful about any of these things, don't ignore it! Instead, proactively teach your dog to feel comfortable about these things immediately, to help your dog feel relaxed, so they can enjoy life, and so they don't end up biting someone in the future.

Usually, bites happen when more than one of these triggers are present at the same time, and the stress adds up until it's too much for the dog to handle and they react defensively. But if you work with one trigger at a time, you can use classical conditioning to diffuse these triggers and put your dog at ease.

Download the PDF version of this document, and learn more about recognizing and diffusing these common bite triggers here: https://dunbar.info/predict_and_prevent_dog_bites

And if your dog is reactive or fearful of anything, we want to help. We're offering our Reactive Dog Toolkit for 50% off for the next few days, and we'll be offering 1-week of PERSONALIZED SUPPORT to any student who signs up, to make sure you get the answers and advice you need to resolve your dog's problems.

Sign up now: https://dunbar.info/reactive-dog-2023

As always, any purchase you make on Dunbar Academy comes with a 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.

05/03/2023

I still see people subjecting their new puppy and their best friend to electric shock . this post I am sharing explains the issue with using shock that people do not realize their doing to their walking partner.

Some of the best news I have heard in a long time!

Electric Shock collers will be banned in England as of Feb next year 😊

Well done to everyone that has kept fighting the good fight.

03/17/2023

Contact a dog behavior consultant or a behaviorist if your dog is reactive. They can help you understand the out of context behaviors you are observing in your dog.

Dog ownership is a lot of furry companionship, tail wags and chasing balls, and ample unconditional love.