Is truly “force free” training even possible?
💭 Many critics of the positive reinforcement/force free movement claim that it’s impossible to use zero force when training dogs.
💭 And this is true! There will always be an imbalance of power in our relationships with our dogs. Even tools like leashes involve a degree of force.
💭 The goal of R+/FF trainers is not to eliminate force, but to minimize its use where safe and appropriate.
💭 However, some positive trainers may still be accidentally applying excess force, even when it is not their intention.
💭 Examples include:
- Using food in a coercive way
- Micromanaging the dog’s behaviour
- Requiring the dog to perform to access basic needs
- Not allowing the dog to opt out
- Excessive use of confinement
💭 When we prioritize agency, rather than just making training as positive as possible, we are able to truly minimize force.
💭 Instead of making choices for our dog, we allow them to advocate for themselves.
#dogtraining #DogBehavior #reactivedog #forcefreetraining #dogsoftoronto
Do you let your dog stop and watch their environment?
Your dog will have to coexist with many different types of people, dogs, and objects as they grow up, without directly engaging with any of these things. Best to start the process of learning neutrality from a young age!
People often associate neutrality with teaching your dog to ignore their environment, but this often results in a dog that needs to be micromanaged every time they are outside. Instead of asking your puppy to look at you every time something interesting is happening, allow them to practice quietly watching and processing the situation.
#dogtraining #dogbehavior #reactivedog #forcefreetraining #dogsoftoronto
Are unnecessary “rules” harming your relationship with your dog?
🐶While having some rules is essential for keeping everyone safe… Many common rules are overly restrictive and don’t actually facilitate a better relationship.
For example:
“Your dog must always heel when walking on leash.”
or
“Your dog must sit before receiving any affection.”
or
“Your dog must always drop the ball immediately when playing fetch.”
🐶Do these rules actually help your dog? Or do they just help the human feel in control? Do we only enforce them because they are part of society’s “picture” of what a well behaved dog looks like?
🐶Before making or enforcing a rule with your dog, consider WHY that rule is necessary. What benefits does it provide? What are the consequences if it is not enforced?
🐶If the rule is not essential, consider giving your dog a choice. Allowing our dogs to be autonomous when safe and appropriate can go a long way towards improving behavioural well-being.
#dogs #dogtraining #dogbehavior #reactivedog #PositiveReinforcement
🐾 Giving your dog agency doesn’t mean giving up control!
🐾 People often find discussions of agency in dog training really scary. We worry that if we give our dogs choices, we won’t be in control or able to prevent unsafe situations.
🐾 However, agency only requires the *belief* that a learner has control over their own actions.
As the human, you can cultivate that belief while still being in control of the situation overall.
🐾 The dog does not need to have a choice when it comes to everything, they only need to have opportunities to make meaningful choices.
(What choices are meaningful depends on the individual!)
🐾 Agency has an amazing effect on increasing distress tolerance in dogs (and all animals).
Considering agency is a must for anxious and reactive dogs!
#dogtrainingtips #dogbehavior #dogwalking #leashreactivity #reactivedogs
We need to rethink the walk!
🌳 People often walk their dogs because they think it’s good exercise.
🌳 However, a dog’s natural walking speed is a lot faster than ours! So unless your dog is very small, they are probably not getting much exercise on the walk.
🌳 So how can you make sure your dog is tired out after a walk?
🌳 Focus on making the walk a source of mental enrichment, rather than just physical exercise.
🌳 Enriching activities during your walk might include:
- Sniffing
- People watching
- Finding hidden toys or treats
- Choosing the route of the walk
- Urban parkour/agility
- Pattern games
🌳 Walking in a straight line at a consistent pace isn’t just boring for dogs, it can also be stressful. So switch it up!
🌳 Let your dog show you what types of enrichment activities they enjoy most.
#dogtraining #dogbehavior #leashtraining #leashreactivity #dogsoftoronto
Verbal communication might be the most powerful and underutilized tool in your toolbox!
No, I’m not talking about one word commands. When we use our voices to guide, add context, reassure, and clarify situations, mutual understanding and trust flourishes.
Dogs have the potential to learn several hundred words. How many words does your dog know?
#dogtraining #dogsoftoronto #forcefreedogtraining #dogbehavior #dogcommunication
TORONTO: Struggling with reactivity, arousal, overexcitement? This may come as a surprise, but your dog already knows what THEY need in order to become a calm, balanced, well-adjusted dog. They just don’t know how to tell you!
Drawing from an innovative approach pioneered by forward-thinking trainers across the globe, RowanTree Dog Training will teach you to communicate with your dog in a way where you truly understand each other. No longer do you have to wonder what your dog may be thinking - now you can know for certain!
This communication-centred training approach has shown incredible success, even where more traditional methods have previously failed. And best of all, you don’t need any training tools!
I am offering in-home behaviour consultations across Toronto (and virtual consultations for clients outside of the area). Head to the link in my bio to learn more, read testimonials, and sign up!
#dogtraining #dogsoftoronto #leashreactivity #dogbehavior #leashpulling
Do you have a dog with a high prey drive? Most training strategies for this issue involve either punishing the dog for expressing a natural instinct, or trying to compete for the dog’s attention when they are already focused on an animal. However, both of these strategies are likely to fail.
To address prey drive, we need to understand predatory behaviours and work with them, not against them. When we harness your dog’s hunting instincts, we create a situation where both you and your dog are able to thrive!
If you are interested in working with me in Toronto or virtually, follow the link in my bio to learn more about my training services.
#preydrive #dogtraining #dogsoftoronto #positivereinforcement #dogbehavior
There’s no “one size fits all” approach to reactive dog training! That’s because every dog is different in how they cope with and respond to stress.
For this reason, the single greatest thing we can do for our reactive dog’s training is teach them the skills to communicate what THEY need in the moment.
For Rigatoni, this looks like sitting and asking for treats to help him feel more comfortable and safe around his triggers. What does this look like for your dog?
Take the guesswork out of your reactive dog’s training, and book a consultation to learn how your dog can benefit from these skills. Link in bio! Toronto and worldwide 🌎
#dogtraining #dogsoftoronto #positivereinforcement #dogbehavior #dogcommunication
Presumed Competence: “the idea that everyone can learn, think, and understand, and that people (and animals) should be valued as individuals with the right to express themselves.”
When working with animals, it is easy to assume that we as humans know what they need better than they do, and that we should step in and take control when their requests are counterintuitive or confusing.
However, in order to truly empower our animals, we have to respect them as self-aware beings that understand the consequences of their actions, and choose those actions nonetheless.
When we presume competence, we accelerate the speed of learning greatly. Kind of like being immersed in a language versus just learning it in a classroom.
#dogsoftoronto #shelterdog #dogtraining #dogbehavior #positivereinforcement
Are you limiting your training by underestimating your dog’s language comprehension abilities?
Try this: speak in full sentences to your dog for a week, and see how much their understanding of you improves!
#dogtraining #dogsoftoronto #dogbehavior #dogcommunication #toronto
Dogs are always communicating…but so much of their communication is ignored, misinterpreted, or lost in translation.
When a dog learns that you are truly listening, the behaviour shift is immediate. Less impulsive behaviour, more thoughtful and deliberate actions.
The first step of cultivating a meaningful relationship is not obedience. It is making sure your dog is heard.
#dogtraining #dogbehavior #positivereinforcementtraining #leashreactivity #leashpulling
