Reward-based methods are not only more humane than aversive methods such as yanking dogs around and pushing them into positions, but they have been proven to be more effective, improve your dog’s confidence, and lead to happier dogs – and happier trainers!
We work with reward based training
We are proud to promote reward-based methods in our training. If you have been to one of our Perfect Pet classes, you’ll know we ask you to do an audit to find out what your dog loves. Which then means we can use the results to help you to train your dog.
Reward-based methods are not only more humane than aversive methods such as yanking dogs around and pushing them into positions, but they have been proven to be more effective, improve your dog’s confidence, and lead to happier dogs – and happier trainers!
And not punitive or aversion methods of dog training
There is plenty of evidence that using things such as e- and prong collars, collar yanks, physical punishment and verbal reprimands are effective in changing behaviour. It’s why they were used for so long and why they are still promoted by some people today. They work – and they often work rapidly.
But they also produce a significant fall-out. Dogs trained with aversive methods show more stress signs, show avoidance behaviours towards their owners and are less playful.
Such dogs are also more prone to show aggressive behaviour and are more reluctant to engage in training even when training is changed to reward based, positive methods.
Two recent studies have shown an effect on the dog’s emotions too.
We now have data that show that dogs trained with aversive methods are more highly stressed and show less positive (happy) emotions outside training sessions.
Dogs are more like Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh stories when they’re stressed.
We want dogs to be more like Winnie the Pooh, that eternal optimist. Dogs do far better emotionally when trained with reward based methods.
We love to see happy dogs and owners enjoying their training.
It’s good to have even more evidence that what we teach is best for dogs. If you want to see it in practice, why not join our Reliable Recall masterclass, a two session course in which we’ll teach you how to teach your dog to come back reliably, even when there are distractions around.
Reward-based training works and is better for your dog – as long as you practice!
Help your dog be a Winnie and not an Eeyore.
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
