Pawsitive Assistance Dog Training

Izzy's progression with training around cats.

This is after a few days of several sessions a day. Please note how close to Izzy I am ready to step in at a moments notice if needed. Notice a recall request when she got a bit intense? Is it faster than just zapping her for looking at cats? Probably not. Is it safer? YES. Does it risk redirection, or associating the wrong thing with pain? Or burns/ulcers/injury/etc?? NOPE. Positive reinforcement teaches what we DO want instead of teaching fear for making a wrong choice!! Here i am teaching izzy even when excited by a cat, turnaround and come for rewards. I do NOT rely on a tool that can malfunction, or have a lost remote, ETC. I AM teaching to default to calmness and respect of the Kitty's. They are friends not toys!!

This is step 2 in ds/cc of Izzy's harness. Our goals are first and foremost to let her be excited to see it come out (currently she avoids until its on) and then eventually to go and get it for her handler (hence naming it!) This is proof that ANYTHING can be aversive to ANY dog. But its up to us to properly desensitize a dog and ensure they are happy about the training(we aren't sure if it was the smell since it was new, or if maybe her fur got caught in the clip once, but its our job to show her THIS piece of equipment does NOT bring pain, nor do we!! Izzy also sometimes prefers dry cookies even to moist treats, again the dog NOT us determines what is rewarding!!