Dog Training.
Harbour Tails Dog Walking can support you with basic training.
I am an advocate for positive reinforcement training. Over the past few years there has been ground breaking scientific research across the globe to support the effectiveness of positive reinforcement techniques. Our understanding of how dogs think and learn is constantly evolving and for this reason I am passionate about continually researching, learning and practising positive reinforcement training techniques with my own dog.
FREE TRAINING SUPPORT & ADVICE
If you require any support or advice about any aspect of training your dog/puppy or any issues you might be having I would love to offer my tips free of charge over the phone or by text / messenger. You don’t have to be a customer of Harbour Tails, you only need to be a dog owner! I just love talking to people about their dogs.
I can also support you with training as part of my home visit / private walking services.
If you require further support, click here to see local dog trainers that are aligned with my beliefs and values.
If you use positive techniques your dog will learn that good things happen when they do thing you like.
I beleive that the strongest relationships between dogs and humans are based on cooperation and kindness. Not dominance and submission. Put simply, if your dog feels good about you, she will be happier, more confident, better behaved, and more inclined to respond to you.
The process of changing a dog’s behavior using positive reinforcement relies first and foremost on understanding, patience, consistency and repetition.
Below is a video (SOUND ON) of Cali and I doing a little exercise with some of her yummy Wolfworthy breakfast.
Here we are practicing some listening skills. It's hard to see in the video but I'm throwing food down and asking her some commands such as "stay", "away", "back" before she is allowed to go sniff the food out.
She has gotten use to playing "ready steady GO" with my husband so this morning I decided that rather than "go" I would say "ready steady..." Then a different command. It really got her thinking and listening well.
Positive reinforcement doesn't always have to involve food though. You can use whatever motivates your dog and makes them feel good to reward them, including toys, games and lots of fuss. For example sometimes when out walking I reward recall with a good game of "tug" for the dogs which love this game.