Why Positive Training Works

Training dogs and their people is something that is not only my profession but my passion and my past time.  If you’ve seen me train either my own dogs or yours you might notice how it looks like effortless fun to me. Because that is exactly what dog training is to me, fun! Whether I am working on some cool new freestyle trick or serious behavior modification, both the dog and I are having a blast!  Even in the most difficult cases I never feel a need to get rough or correct the dog, in addition to being un-fun it is usually 100% counterproductive but we’ll talk about that in another post.

Dog training should be fun; the most effective way of learning is through playing games for not only dogs but for humans too. It makes sense right? That is why websites like luminosity.com and brainmetrix.com are centered on games to train your brain. Even learning information through song is a form a playing, School House Rock anyone?  And I’m sure we all remember how un-fun learning can be with boring or disparaging teacher, in fact I hate math because my 1st grade teacher.  She would relentlessly drill us on addition and subtraction and then shame kids that got it wrong…. I still hate math and will do almost anything to avoid it. There were, of course kids that were VERY motivated by that and would strive to never get an answer wrong, me on the other hand? I would cross my arms, stare at my desk and either refuse to answer or purposefully get it wrong. Ms Sakamoto would correct and punish me anyway, if I could have bitten her I would have, instead I was sent to the principle.

I never want to be that teacher; I never want to force a dog into something they don’t understand or find scary.  Not only because I don’t enjoy it but I know it can leave a lasting impression that could rear its ugly head later. Or force a dog to act in a way that could be dangerous. I understand methods that use a heavier hand, I have seen them work. (Yes I’ll admit that they work they wouldn’t be this sticky if they didn’t) I can also admit that when introduced correctly and gradually things like prong or shock collars can be usable tools but I still would never choose to use them.  It simply isn’t necessary to me, very un-fun to the dog and ultimately counterproductive to the bond we share with our dogs.

I love the relationship that I have with my dog Yuna, she is my best friend and goes everywhere with me.  She chooses to stay next to me with or without a leash, she hogs the bed, she loves to run with reckless abandon, and she understands that she isn’t allowed in the street without permission. Every now and again we even get into arguments along the lines of her saying, “Don wanna don hafta” but I am insistent and she more often than not agrees with me. Though every now and again I’ll agree with her point of view and she’ll “win” the argument. Our relationship is a constant give and take like any other friendship I reinforce her through praise, play, and companionship and she reinforces me with her unconditional love and great company. I wouldn’t trade our relationship for the world and hope to give that to every person and dog that I train. I’ve seen what positive motivation can do and that is why I choose to live my life on the positive side of things.