Dog Training Introduction

Dog Training Doesn't Have to Be Difficult!

Dog training seems like such a chore sometimes. But it doesn't have to. It can be fun and rewarding!

Dog training is necessary because we love dogs. Whether they’re puppies or elderly canines, mystery mutts or AKC-registered champions, mischievous furballs or well-mannered hounds… dogs are the ultimate companions.

But dogs are not people. They don’t behave like people, think like people, or learn like people. And yet we expect them to live compatibly with people, and to understand and follow the rules of people. We require them to abandon the dog behaviors we don’t like, to turn their tails on the instincts Mother Nature gave them… the very instincts that enabled their ancestors to survive in a cruel, competitive world.

That’s asking a lot of them, don’t you think? The least we can do is try to understand what they’re going through.

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When we understand them, we can be better teachers

Dogs no longer live as Mother Nature intended… they live with us. They must adapt. They must learn. They must obey. 

Their very lives may depend on how successful we are at training them!

We’ve heard so many tragic stories about dogs that were not properly trained. A dog ignoring her owner’s voice and running into the street is an all-too-common example.

But just as tragic are the stories of dogs that were improperly trained by well-intentioned people who simply didn’t know what they were doing. These people—including some professional dog trainers—use training techniques that are not only ineffective, they can inadvertently cause some dogs to become aggressive. An aggressive dog is not a trusted companion; he is a threat… especially in a home with children. Most of these poor dogs end up in the animal shelter, where their human-caused aggressiveness is forever terminated.

Love isn’t enough

You love dogs, and that’s a wonderful thing. But it isn’t enough. Your love will not keep your dog safe. Your love doesn’t give you an innate ability to train your dog. But it does give you the desire to do so. And that is enough… because you are here, eager to learn the best way to train your dog!

The information on this website will show you how to combine love with an understanding of dog behavior, humane training methods, and lots of positive reinforcement. This powerful combination will enable you to get your dog to do more than love you… your dog will trust you, listen to you, and obey you—regardless of circumstances or distractions.

It’s all about mutual understanding. You will learn to understand your dog. Then you will help your dog understand what you expect of him. Best of all, you will do this in a way that is fun and rewarding for both of you!

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The Power of Positive Reinforcement

Dog training for us is all about positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement uses rewards—like treats, tummy rubs, verbal praise, games or other things your dog loves—to entice your dog to perform a specific action.

It teaches dogs in a kind, gentle way that makes them eager to do what you ask. It also makes training fun for you and your dog! That’s more important than you may realize. The more fun the training is, the more often you’ll do it—and the better your dog will behave.

We strongly discourage corrections (punishments) or training methods that teach your dog to fear you. Many misguided professional dog trainers use or teach force-based training, where you’re supposed to establish dominance by positioning yourself as the "alpha pack leader." These tactics include grabbing your dog by the scruff of the neck and yelling in his face. Who would want a relationship based on fear and intimidation? Please, please, please do NOT follow a training program that teaches these kinds of methods! Yes, they may work with some dogs. But they may also completely backfire and turn happy dogs into frightened or aggressive animals.

That’s not what we’re about.

We want your dog to equate training with love and fun, not fear. Don't you?

With positive reinforcement techniques, your dog will learn more than to perform (or avoid) certain actions—he’ll learn that you are a joy to be around, that you are fair, that he can trust you, and that he can count on you to protect and love him, no matter what.

It is the best and most effective dog training technique. Period.

Don’t worry, even fun training will teach serious lessons. Positive reinforcement will enable you to teach your dog to listen to you and to do what you ask. It will not create a spoiled dog that thinks of you only as a two-legged treat factory!

But you have to use positive reinforcement techniques correctly. It’s not difficult, but it does require knowledge and skill, a basic understanding of how dogs think, and a desire to teach your dog in a way that will create a lifelong happy relationship between you both.

It won’t be difficult to become a good teacher for your dog. But as with other skills you’ve mastered, it will take practice and patience. And having a good coach (that’s us!) is the best way to learn. In no time at all, you’ll be an expert at creating a joyful, loving and effective learning relationship with your dog!

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Structured Learning

Each dog training lesson designed to equate to one week of training. Read the lesson first, then practice the exercises within the lesson with your dog.

Learn together in short sessions scattered throughout the day, if possible.

In addition to the  training lessons with exercises, we have informational reports, interesting articles, entertaining videos and terrific resources on a variety of topics of interest to you and your dog.

Please realize that no system or course can cover all there is to know about dog training and behavior. But we have done our best to summarize the most important elements and present them to you and your dog in a way that’s easy—and fun—to learn. And once you know the basics, you can use them for a lifetime.

Congratulations!  You and your dog are now em-barking (pun intended) on a journey that will bring happiness to you both for many years to come!

Here's what you need to do next:

1.  Read the Pre-Training Basics Report.

2.  Begin your weekly dog training lessons.

3.  Explore all this dog training site has to offer!