2123 Marina Blvd.
San Leandro, Ca  94577
(510) 483-2631
braveheartdogs@sbcglobal.net

    Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions as well as information on
    how to find the right dog trainer.

    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 dogs 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 (or any animals for that matter) there must be motivation.  
    Your choices with dogs are rewards, usually food (if you do it right, you will get
    a treat) or fear/pain (you better do it right or I will hurt you).  In the end the dog
    always has a choice, you are much better off teaching him to WANT to do what
    you ask.  Physical punishment like jerking the leash or hitting doesn't earn the
    dog's trust or respect.

    What about trainers who say they can train a dog without food, is this
    possible?  Absolutely, you can train dogs without food, but not without some
    type of motivation.  There must be motivation when training animals.  No matter
    what anyone tries to tell you, please know that you cannot train an animal (no
    matter what the species) without motivation.  

    Of course it is possible to train without food but you have to ask yourself what
    you will use as motivation to encourage the dog to learn and to do what you
    ask.  Some people mistakenly believe that dogs will do what we ask "just to
    please us" or "for praise".  You can bet if you are doling out physical
    corrections (such as jerks on the leash) and then giving the dog some praise
    such as a pat on the head and or a verbal "good dog" he is working to avoid
    the corrections not to earn the praise.  

    The real question that you need to ask yourself is what is wrong with using
    food?  You 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.  

    Ask yourself what you are looking for in a dog?  Do you want a friend and
    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.


    Is it cruel to reprimand or discipline my dog? Just like with children,
    discipline and guidance is necessary when raising a dog.  If you allow your dog
    to make all the choices with nothing ever expected of him, the dog will probably
    not respect you.  

    Many behavioral problems can be solved or improved by changing the way you
    live with your dog and setting very clear boundaries.  There are times when
    reprimands are necessary, but it is important to choose them wisely.     Well
    planned and thought out reprimands can be highly effective.  Time outs, verbal
    reprimands and repititions are ones that I typically use.  Getting into physical
    battles is not smart or effective because force won't make your dog respect
    you not to mention the fact that if a dog really wants to hurt you he will and you
    could get hurt and still not have the dogs respect.

    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.  

    What do you think of electronic (shock) collars? I am not in favor of using
    electronic or shock collars to train dogs.  The simple fact is that it isn't
    necessary.  First of all, it relies 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 make things "right" again.  When
    using this type of punishment in training you really risk creating other
    behavioral problems along the way.    Some dogs can even become
    aggressive or depressed because they can't figure out how to avoid the pain.  
    These are clear signs that the dog is in distress and surely not enjoying the
    time spent with the owner.  Advocates of shock collars will tell you that "it
    doesn't hurt the dog", my question is; how do they know?  If a dog yelps or
    runs away, most likely it has experienced something painful.  There are
    healthier ways to build a working relationship with a dog.  Finally, using
    punishment in training requires impeccable timing, which most people don't
    naturally 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! If you're confused about which method of training to use, please
    don't feel alone, it CAN be confusing.  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 can destroy a dog, but poorly timed
    rewards can only slow him down a bit.  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 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.  

    Having trained with more traditional methods for many years it took me a while
    to be completely convinced so I decided to test the technique.  I purchased a
    young, ranch bred cattle dog (a breed traditionally trained with harsh methods
    and considered "difficult") and used only the clicker with him.  I was so
    impressed with the fast, precise results and how much the dog enjoyed the
    training that I retrained some of my dachshunds with the clicker, began to train
    all my dogs and most client dogs using clicker training.   It's ok not to use the
    clicker in our classes, but we encourage it because the results are so
    amazing.  And, it works for all dogs.  This whole thing of "not one technique
    works for all dogs" is bogus, it does work for all dogs and most species
    actually.  We are looking to teach such simple, straightforward behaviors with
    our dogs (sit, down, don't pull on the leash) that doing it with the clicker is
    really pretty simple.

    I have a Pit Bull and with all the hype lately, I'm worried.  Will my dog
    become aggressive?  The bad press surrounding Pit Bulls (and other bully
    breeds) is an unfortunate thing for a wonderful breed.  Pit Bulls that are
    properly socialized, trained and cared for, usually make devoted, loyal pets.  
    The breed does however have some hardwired characteristics that can make
    them challenging.  Perhaps the most difficult trait is their history of having
    issues with other dogs.  They were in fact originally bred for dog aggression,
    and many dogs today will still carry this trait with them.  Some dogs that do fine
    with other dogs as puppies and young adults, may become aggressive as they
    reach adolescence.  Many Pit Bulls (and other bully breeds too) are not very
    good at reading other dogs signals.  So, when playing with other dogs, their
    play style is usually very rough and in your face, this is not taken well by dogs
    with other play styles and this is a very common way for fights to result.  That
    being said, I have known many reliable, outgoing, dog friendly pit bulls.  It is up
    to the owner to watch their dogs carefully and be aware.  Take red flags
    seriously and don't put your dog into situations where he could into
    altercations if he has issues with other dogs or is developing issues with other
    dogs.

    My dog has been called "dominant" what should I do and will your
    training work?  I see dogs all the time that are labeled "dominant" or "alpha".  
    The truth is that is just isn't that simple.  Social hierarchies are something that
    fluctuate and change all the time.  Also, most of the time when people are
    observing dogs and trying to establish what is going on as far as social status
    and hierarchies, they are not skilled in truly reading canine behavior.  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.  I have worked
    successfully with many dogs that were supposedly "dominant" dogs that had
    previously been treated with harsh corrections and inappropriate techniques
    that made even their owners uncomfortable doing them.  There is certainly a
    better way.  Alpha rolls, strings ups, and other forms 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.  It is crucial to be a good
    leader to your dog, I will teach you how to do that in a way that the dog
    understands and respects.   

    What do you think of "The Dog Whisperer" TV show?  I have watched
    "The Dog Whisperer" and have seen the trainer in person.  What I can tell you
    is that it's definitely not my style.  I am committed to using dog training
    techniques that are scientifically based in proven learning theories, which the
    techniques on the TV show don't do.  Many of the methods used on the show
    are old school, traditional methods and while they may sometimes work, we
    now know that we can get the same reliability from our dogs without using
    force, pain or intimidation to do it.  Personally, I don't see any point in revisiting
    the era of dog training that relied on brute force and unproven theories.  When
    working with dogs I am committed to treating the dogs I work with and their
    owners with respect and compassion, which is something that "The Dog
    Whisperer" methods do not do.  I have seen many dog and owner relationships
    fractured due to harsh, physical corrections and I have seen clients and dogs
    injured from trying such techniques.  I do agree with the concept that many
    dogs with behavioral issues are lacking adequate exercise.  Further, I agree
    that many behavioral issues can stem from people treating their dogs like
    people, which is never a good idea.  Finally, it should be noted that serious
    behavioral issues are not solved in 30 minutes.  This is the magic of television
    and editing, not real life.

    On Choosing a Trainer
    There are so many things to consider when choosing a dog trainer, so let's just
    touch on a few that I think are very important.

    You want a trainer that is not only experienced, but successful.  The theories
    and method must be effective.  You trainer should be able to go beyond telling
    you what to do, but should be willing 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.

    It is extremely important for your dog trainer to be openminded.  Dog training is
    changing and evolving all the time.  I can tell you from years of training many
    different breeds and ages of dogs that there are dogs out there that  need a
    different approach, good dog trainers understand this and are willing to modify
    training methods to make them work for different dogs.  As a professional
    trainer, I have found that there are a number of ways to teach dogs, however I
    teach my students to use the methods I have found easiest to understand and
    execute, and the ones that are the most rewarding to the dog and owner.  
    Having trained using positive and aversive methods over the years, I feel
    fortunate to have been open-minded enough to give positive training a try.  My
    dogs are happier and frankly, I enjoy the training more than ever before.  Not
    only that, they are more reliable than ever before as well.

    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.  It shouldn't be a guessing game.  There are many trainers who label
    themselves "positive", but having spoken to and corresponded with trainers
    from all over the country, I can tell you that everyone's idea of positive is
    different.  Some trainers label themselves positive and then use shock collars
    in their training.  It is up to you, the paying client, to ask questions, observe
    classes and choose a trainer who will benefit you and your dog.  You, as the
    client need to feel comfortable with the methods and technique being used on
    YOUR dog.  If it doesn't seem right, don't do it.  If it hurts, frightens or
    intimidates your dog there is a better way to do it that doesn't fracture your
    relationship with your dog.  You want a partnership with your dog not a
    dictatorship.

    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.

    A good dog trainer is knowledgable about not only dog training and behavior
    but also about different breeds of dogs.  Dogs were developed for different
    reasons and for different purposes and this is important when it comes to
    training them.  Good trainers are knowledgable about all breeds and what they
    were developed for, and will be able to offer you methods that work for
    different breeds. Yes, the basic principles and techniques are the same, but
    the methods are sometimes modified to work for different dogs and breeds.  It
    is really helpful if your trainer has experience with many breeds of dogs,
    knowledge of genetics and a real understanding of canine behavior.

    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.  
Frequently Asked Questions
Copyright © 2007 Braveheart Dog Training
The information on this page may not be reproduced, republished or mirrored on another webpage or website.
Braveheart Dog Training
           "Dog Training from the Heart"