With several methods of obedience training available, I believe the Alpha K9 system is proven, causes virtually no stress, and is totally humane. Dogs learn very simply from positive and negative events that happen to them on a daily basis. Some things learned are good and some things learned are not so good, but one thing is certain; negative reinforcement causes stress on your dog much the same
way it does humans. Behavior learned from positive reinforcement is learned without stress and without diminishing the bond between the owner and their dog, or between dog and trainer while at the training area. At Alpha K9, I utilize the same techniques that marine mammal trainers use, and we 'Owners' now get to experience far better results while causing the dog no stress. By utilizing positive reinforcement we are able to teach the dog the desired behavior utilizing "Skinners Rule of Operant Conditioning". Simply put, your dog learns because he is reward driven to learn and has fun doing it. Corrections are used only in the proofing phase and only with the proper and correct touch. I am actually able to communicate with the dog as the dog becomes accustomed to experimenting with behaviors in order to get his or her reinforcement (reward). It's a matter of shaping the behavior to the cue or command BY THE SKILLED TIMING OF A PROFESSIONAL TRAINER. Timing is the most important factor in utilizing this method. I can communicate with the dog only if the dog is very clear as to what it does to cause the reinforcement; but this comes only with precise timing and will work no other way. This is why having a professional trainer train your dog is so important. A professional trainer skilled in this method minimizes confusion, maximizes productivity, positions the dog where the chance of error is highly unlikely, and correctly uses the principals of "Variable Schedules of Reinforcement". There are other methods being utilized in dog training today mostly because less than 10% of the trainers are skilled in our method. There is the "Sn**ch and Jerk", using the pinch collars and harsh collars, that is still being used by over 90% of the trainers today. Before I learned a better way I also utilized those methods. Positive Reinforcement sometimes takes a day or two longer, but the dog greatly benefits from the absent stress and hardship caused by the harsh methods. Let's face it, the most important factor in deciding where to have your dog trained... is your dog. With the Personal Protection Dog area, many assume that because their dog acts a certain way, or the dog barks at strangers, or they have an "intimidating breed of dog", etc, that their dog is a protection dog. This is not the case, as there is a large amount of time put into any dog starting at a young age and into the handler that not only builds up that dog to be a properly trained PPD, but also gives the owner/handler the tools they need to control such a dog. All bite work is CONTROLLED, which is why we refer to it as "controlled aggression". It has always been a misconception that it's all about the dog, when truthfully, it is largely about proper handling and when it is and when it is not right to use a dog in a situation. Every dog will not have what it takes to be a PPD simply put. It is a lengthy process to have a well trained PPD, not an overnight deal, but with the proper training the end results are worth while. At Alpha K-9 you have our promise that your dog will be treated as a family member and not just another dog.
