Zoe‘s World of Training

19/11/2023

Overall, dogs can lead a very fulfilling, enriched and HAPPY life without going off leash. Why?

1. Long lines: these can be magic and when used in the right place with the right skills your dog enjoys freedom SAFELY
2. Freedom walks; these walks are all about sniffing and freedom of choice (when it’s in a safe setting of course) and we aren’t dictating every action our dog makes. Using a longer leash for these walks is advised as well.

Still feel your dog needs to be off leash but you worry about safety or your dog has reactivity?
>> Enclosed spaces; Sniffspot, tennis courts (if permitted) provide outdoor off leash freedom

19/11/2023

Support your pet in their time of need. They depend on you!

15/11/2023

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Providing choices in a way that sets a dog up for success is a huge part of my training philosophy. You can see the difference in the confidence and decision making of a dog who has been supported in making choices compared to a dog who is used to always being told what to do. It empowers the dog and frankly, makes your life easier!

On hikes, Arry chooses to focus on me when she sees a person, dog or horse. It's much easier to then give her guidance (come, stay or 'go say hi' depending on what is appropriate) when she's already choosing ME over the distraction.

On walks, Lupine chooses to focus on me when a dog barks. It's much easier to guide her past that very hard distraction when she's already choosing ME over barking back at the dog.

Now of course there were several games used to teach my dog to choose me since running up to people and dogs or barking back at other dogs are all behaviors that would be very rewarding. But by taking the time to help your dog to make good choices, you end up having to do less in the long run.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

22/10/2023

19/10/2023

This quote lands especially well for me 🎶🕺

14/10/2023

27/09/2023

I'm tired of being told that my repulsion for punitive and aversive training is a lack of knowledge or skills. I'm tired of being told that my 7 years of studying, qualifications and experience working with dogs couldn't possibly stand up to the Facebook expert.
I'm tired of being told that force free training is limited and that it only works with some breeds. I'm tired of seeing friends and fellow force free trainers being accused of abuse because they refuse to defend those that would abuse dogs in the name of training.

I choose not to use aversives because I know how they work and their purpose. There is no magic or skill involved, it is designed to be unpleasant and its purpose is to intimidate, control and suppress. I choose to avoid punitive training because of my education and experience. Countless studies demonstrate the harm that aversives inflict and how they impact learning and welfare. Force free training is being used worldwide with a variety of species. If it works with gorillas, tigers and crocodiles, it works with any dog breed.
We will not empathise with abusive dog trainers because we do not want to give them a platform, whereby they can destroy even more dogs. We have plenty to learn from qualified trainers that do not compromise training ethics.

Qualified dog trainers shouldn't have to compete with trainers that only care about tik tok videos and forced compliance. Every force free trainer could use aversives with the same outcome. We choose not to because we understand the consequences and prioritise welfare and long-term results over followers and profit.

-Holly Leake

Please feel free to share but do not copy and paste without credit.

25/09/2023