Dog Training The Sensible Way
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
"Dog training is much less about the teaching of commands and much more about how you live with your dog. Virtually all of your dog's behaviors (good and bad) are created by the way you're living with him. What you do with him... what you don't do with him... what you require him to do... what you allow him to do... these are all messages to your pup. Send the right messages and you will have no problems. Send the wrong messages and you will have problems." Michele Welton
My Training Method... Why It's So Effective
- My training method is so effective because it's balanced (rewards plus corrections). Unfortunately, dog training today has been hijacked by animal rights activists who demand "positive only" training (rewards but no corrections). These people are loud, confrontational, and quick to mobilize their "cancel culture" against balanced trainers. "Positive only" training makes those activists feel good, but it's baffling to dogs, who naturally and instinctively seek clear instructions on where their boundaries are.
- My training method is so effective because it's a complete program that encompasses how you live with your dog from morning until night. I teach owners how to provide a structured life filled with predictable patterns and routines, so the pup feels secure that he always knows what will happen next. I teach owners how to respond when their pup does X or Y, and how to provide consistent positive and negative consequences so the pup can make good decisions about which behaviors he should and shouldn't do. And I teach owners how to provide calm, confident leadership so the pup recognizes that you're in charge and looks trustingly to you for guidance and direction.
- My training method is so effective because it focuses more on fixing the owner (how he or she interacts with the dog, how he or she responds to the dog's good and bad behavior), the owner's family (especially children and other pets), and the home environment (what are the household rules and routines, where does the dog spend the day, where does the dog sleep, etc.). Once those ships are righted, the dog's behavior will fall into line, almost automatically. Effective dog training is more about "adjusting" owners and their households. The dogs are the easiest part!
My honest advice about training... enjoy! (And if you like these articles, I think you would enjoy my puppy training book, which is available for free online reading!)
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