Go Dog Pro

24/09/2024

Aversive trainers. We know they're out there. We know they believe vehemently that punishment and tools that rely on pain or force are necessary in dog training.

But it would be nice to think they wouldn't hide behind the positive reinforcement label in order to incorrectly sell their services and get clients, wouldn't it? It's completely unfair to those dog guardians who only want to access ETHICAL training to have to deal with being lied to and manipulated to get their money.

Thankfully dog guardians are becoming more clued up on what training they'd like to receive for their dog. Taking away a clients' right to pick appropriately is completely disrespectful.

How can you check whether a trainer relies on punishment based techniques if they aren't up front about it?

🐾 Ask to see videos of them working with a dog with similar issues to your own highlighting what the main intervention is at that time
🐾 Ask them what training bodies they are accredited with and research them
🐾 Look at their social media pages AND look deeply into their reviews. Often if they aren't clear about it, past clients are and will mention things like "fixed with 1 session" or "corrected the behaviour" etc.
🐾 Ask them straight out whether you will be encouraged to use tools such as slip leads, citronella collars, pet correctors etc.

I'm hearing of a lot of people getting ripped off at the moment, including this poor client who paid good money to be conned.

Knowledge is power. I LOVE it when I'm grilled on my techniques before being employed. I will never EVER promise you I can "fix" your dog. (And anyone making that promise will go to all lengths to achieve that result and some of those levels will be harmful to your dog). But I WILL promise you to not cause them further harm. For me that's most important. Not how "successful" your session was. But indeed, how they are FEELING about the intervention.

Any trainer willing to lie about their methods clearly disrespects BOTH ends of the lead.

08/09/2024

07/09/2024

Dogs, much like humans, communicate through a range of signals. Often, we only realise something is wrong when our dogs start behaving in ways that are impossible to ignore. However, much like human communication, many messages are conveyed long before the situation escalates. Consider a conversatio...

05/09/2024

So ditch dominance. Park the prong. Stop the shock. Use treats to train your dog. If you stick to reward-based methods only, you’ll have a dog who is happier, has better manners, and has a better relationship with you.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fellow-creatures/202408/more-treats-please-no-tugging-the-leash-in-dog-training?fbclid=IwY2xjawFF06ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYhswBvzQ4A9bkBXEnZysLGJREvbAKvF33Z4RqcO3HiGdRXZ02D3qbcSsg_aem_1Qgb5GeTvn_OFrm1zMp8XQ

Science shows that aversive methods have risks for dogs’ welfare, so we have to keep explaining that the best approach to dog training is one that uses rewards.

31/08/2024

It is a common misconception that positive reinforcement implies that you simply reward behaviors you want to see more of & ignore those you don't. Yes, there are some behaviors that you might ignore in order to prevent reinforcement (harmless, nuisance behaviors), however it is always important to prevent dangerous or destructive behaviors using management while teaching your dog which alternate behaviors (DRA) are acceptable instead.

Teaching this dog a polite relaxation on a mat (because a dog lying on a mat can be begging but likely isn't, this is known as DRA - differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior; if you were teaching lying on a mat to prevent jumping, it's DRI - differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior, because a dog physically cannot be lying down and jumping at the same time) while blocking access from the kitchen counter, or keeping the dog tethered in the dining room or living room (prevention through management), would be preventing the problem behavior and simultaneously training the dog what behaviors are appropriate instead of begging for food.

Next, set up Antecedent Arrangements (putting the mat near the table for easy treat delivery - or away from it with a Treat & Train/Manners Minder/Pet Tutor/PetGeek other food delivery system, having treats or a yummy chewy to feed on the mat, etc.) in a way that sets the dog up to succeed.

Add positive reinforcement, and you've got a verifiable training plan in order to teach this dog how to stop begging.

You can't just ignore the problem behavior - but you can prevent it, and heavily reinforce a desirable behavior instead. No punishment needed.

30/08/2024

Enough is enough

28/08/2024

To summarize quickly, the current debate centers on whether there is common philosophical ground to be found among what many have taken to calling ‘balanced’ trainers – where the use of both positive and compulsion methods are employed to both teach behaviors and stop unwanted behavior – and positive trainers who avoid the use of physical punishment. Listening to the two camps go at one another through post after post on social media, I realized that despite all the noise, it’s actually very simple:
Either you’re ok using methods and equipment when working with dogs that cause pain, fear, and purposeful discomfort, or you’re not.

I am not.

Either you’re ok using methods and equipment when working with dogs that cause pain, fear, and purposeful discomfort, or you’re not. I am not.

27/08/2024

Check out A Very Gem K9’s video.

26/08/2024

►🙋‍♀️COMPLETE DOG TRAINING SOLUTIONS: •❓🤨 STRUGGLING WITH LEASH TRAINING? 👇 ✅ 6 Weeks to Dream Walks: Step-By-Step Leash Training Program: https://e...