2123 Marina Blvd. San Leandro, Ca 94577 (510) 483-2631 braveheartdogs@sbcglobal.net |
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how to find the right dog trainer.
No, we cannot guarantee our services. We wish we could make such claims, but to do so would be professionally unethical and irresponsible. The success depends on many things including the individual dog's history, genetics, as well as the owners commitment and compliance. We teach owners to modify behavior by using proven, science based,humane, positive reinforcement methods. We have had much success in changing behavior using these methods. However, in order for the dog's behavior to change, the owner's behavior must also change. In other words, it will take some effort on the owner's part to modify the dog's behavior. So,for this reason, we can't ethically guarantee your dog's success. There are simply too many variables that we cannot control. Will training with food teach the dog to obey only for food? No, it won't, as long as you are using the food properly as reinforcement. I have trained many animals using rewards such as treats, praise and toys or play and have never ended up with a dog who will not respond to the commands once trained. When training dogs (and other animals) there must be motivation. We choose to use food and eventually other rewards as motivation. What about trainers who say they can train a dog without food, is this possible? Sometimes you can train dogs without food, but not without some type of motivation. There must be motivation when training animals. When people train without food they are typically also using physical corrections like leash pops or jerks or other force based methods. They may "correct" the dog by jerking the leash and then "reward" the dog with praise, and claiming that the praise is rewarding but the animal is actually working to avoid the corrections not working to get the praise. The real question that we all need to ask ourselves is what is wrong with using food? We wouldn't go to work for free and it is unreasonable to ask your dog to. We would not expect other species like humans or cats to just do what we say when we say it without motivation so why would we expect our dogs to? It isn't reasonable.
partner that you have built a strong working relationship with based on trust and communication or do you want a dog who does what you say because he fears what will happen to him if he doesn't? Think about it. What type of equipment should I use to train my dog? We recommend training all dogs on their regular, everyday collars and a leather, cotton or nylon leash. Once in a while, with a dog that pulls a lot, we may suggest an Easy Walk Harness until the dog learns not to pull on the lead but typically we use a basic collar and leash. We will never recommend using painful or aversive collars like choke collars, pinch or prong collars or shock collars.
No, we do not allow the use of pinch or prong collars in our classes. We realize that people sometimes like these collars because they feel that they "work" we do not recommend them because they uncomfortable and aversive to the dog. We do not use or recommend ANY piece of equipment that uses discomfort or pain to change behavior. What do you think of electronic (shock) collars? Shock collars are also referred to as e collars, stim collars, stimulation collars or spark collars. Make no mistake that if the collars delivers an electronic stimulation to your dog it is a shock collar. I do not believe in using electronic or shock collars to train dogs. The simple fact is that it isn't necessary. Painful collars rely on training the dog by way of avoidance and aversion. The dog does what is asked to avoid a shock. I prefer to reward the dog when they do it right rather than trying to punish everything they do wrong. For the purposes of training a companion dog to do common every day behaviors (such as sit, down or come) shocking them with a collar isn't necessary. I work with dogs regularly who have been previously "trained" by way of electronic collars. It takes quite a bit of work and relationship rebuilding between these dogs and their owners to rebuild the trust that was damaged by pain that they were put through. Some dogs can even become aggressive or depressed because they can't figure out how to avoid the pain. Before you agree to shock your dog or allow anyone else to shock your dog please stop and take a moment to really think about it. Would you shock your friend? Would you shock your child? Will you put the shock collar on yourself and turn it up to the highest level and shock yourself? If not, that it makes no sense to do it to your dog. Finally, using punishment in training requires impeccable timing, which most people don't have. Someone who cannot properly train a dog with a clicker or with food due to lack of timing has no business putting a shock collar on their dog. Positive training, corrections, compulsion based training...I'm confused! Positive reinforcement training means that you are training by focusing on the good things your dog does and rewarding those things rather than focusing on the bad things he does and punishing him for those. It truly is that simple. Remember, the dog always has a choice, why not make him WANT to do what you ask? Positive training allows even children and people with less than perfect timing to succeed. Poorly timed and executed leash corrections or shocks can destroy a dog, but poorly timed rewards will not. All of my classes are reward based training classes. I train my own dogs using positive reinforcement that doesn't mean that I don't discipline them or that there aren't consequences when I feel they are necessary, it's just that I don't rely on pain or intimidation to train them. I have found that my dogs trained with positive reinforcement are much more reliable than any other methods I have used. If you know that you want to train your dog using positive reinforcement and dog friendly methods than you want to make sure that the trainer doesn't use painful collars like choke chains or remote or electronic collars of any kind as this is not positive reinforcement dog training. Is it possible for me to observe one of your classes before signing up? Absolutely! I welcome and encourage prospective clients to come and observe my classes before signing up. It is very important to me that my clients feel comfortable with my style, technique and approach, so I am happy to have people observe any of my group classes before registering for a class. If you are confused about what class is best for you and your dog, a phone consult to decide on the best approach for you and your dog is free of charge. What is "clicker training"? Clicker training is a form of training based on a learning theory called operant conditioning. It is the technique that is used to train dolphins, killer whales and most animals to perform or do things on cue or on command. When used properly, the clicker is used as a "reward marker" meaning that it tells the dog that it did the correct thing at the exact moment that it hears the click and that it will be rewarded (food is the easiest reinforcer to use). This technique gives clear information to the dog which is why I like it so much. It is used to train many different species to do a variety of different behaviors that a few years ago most people would have thought impossible. I also use clicker training with my birds and with other exotics while doing volunteer zoo work. My dog has been called "dominant" what should I do and will your training work? Dominance is not a character trait. Social hierarchies are something that fluctuate and change all the time. The fact of the matter is, when you are trying to establish social hierarchies within a group of dogs, you are only guessing. You can't and won't ever know what is truly going on. What worries me about novices labeling a dog as "dominant" is that people then tend to think that the best way to treat the problem is to try and physically dominate the dog which can be very dangerous and in fact, make the dog worse. The best thing to do is forget about the label and find a trainer who can help you find solutions. You want a trainer who will put together a treatment plan for you that will deal with your dog's individual issues while making sure to keep both of you safe and happy. Using outdated techniques like alpha rolls and other violent methods are physical abuse can be extremely dangerous and it doesn't improve the dog's behavior or outlook. He won't view you as his leader, but rather as a bully. What do you think of "The Dog Whisperer" TV show? I do not recommend in the methods used on "The Dog Whisperer". They are outdated, punishment based and in many cases just plain abusive. You would be better off watching It's Me or The Dog with Victoria Stillwell, a trainer who actually has some credentials and education.
On Choosing a Trainer Your trainer should be able to go beyond telling you what to do, but should be able to tell you WHY. Your trainer must be willing and able to explain not only how to do something but why that method works and makes the dog understand what you want or what you are trying to convey. Find out how your trainer learned and perfected their craft. Dog training truly is an art form, few people can become experts at it just by taking a 6 or 8 week course. While this is certainly a start, a qualified trainer should have years of successful experience under their belt. A good trainer truly understands canine behavior and has more than one plan of action for each challenge. Many trainers will say that they are "certified" however, it's important to remember that there is no state regulated certification for dog trainers. Any dog school or training academy can award it's students with "certification" from their school so find out how your trainer was certified. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) offers certification training that isn't not affiliated with any specific school or program. This is the only widely known and well respected dog training certification. Certification requires that trainers have at least 300 hours of training experience within the last 5 years with 75% of the experience as a "Head Trainer" or "Instructor", as well as a reference letter from a veterinarian, another trainer and a client. Once all of this has been completed the trainer must take a 4 hour, 250 question exam that tests the trainers knowledge of learning theory, animal husbandry, ethology, instruction skills and equipment. You, the client, needs to feel comfortable and confident about what you are doing. You need a trainer that is a good teacher to you. You are the one at the other end of the leash, so your trainer needs to be able to teach you to effectively train your dog, to explain what you need to do and how to do it, and to gently correct you when you need help. As the client you need to be comfortable with the methods and techniques you are doing. If something seems wrong or you aren't comfortable, ask questions. Remember you don't have to do anything to or with your dog that doesn't seem right. A good trainer is up front and honest about their methods. If they say they use "positive reinforcement", "reward based methods" or "motivational methods", ask what they are. Ask what they do and how they teach specifically. These questions should be answered easily or should be on their website or other material. If it doesn't seem right, don't do it. If it hurts, frightens or intimidates your dog there is a better way. Ask for letters of recommendations. A good trainer can provide letters of recommendation from happy clients. Also, ask to observe classes before committing to enrolling or purchasing a package. You want to see your trainer in action to make sure that you are comfortable with that particular trainers style, technique and communication skills. If you are hiring a trainer or behavior specialist for something very serious such as fearful behavior, anxieties or aggression, please make sure that you are hiring someone qualified. Anyone working with these issues should have a clear understanding of working with desensitization, classical conditioning and counterconditioning techniques and should be experienced in these areas or someone could get hurt. The most important thing to remember is that you need to feel comfortable with your dog trainer. This is someone who you employ to help you and your dog. You should always be able to feel comfortable asking questions or talking to your trainer. |
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