PV Positive Dog Training uses scientifically researched, force-free methods of training that are the most humane, effective, and long-lasting. Positive methods promote a confident, relaxed, and thinking dog as well as the strongest, healthiest bond between dog and guardian.
With positive reinforcement training, rewards, such as treats and play, are used to reinforce desired behavior. Expect to use many tiny treats or a portion of your dog’s normal diet during training since food represents the most reliable means to reinforce behavior. Since food can be delivered quickly, it best allows for the necessary repetition to instill learning.
Behaviors that have been effectively reinforced will be repeated whereas behaviors that are not reinforced will extinguish.
Since some behaviors, such as barking and chewing, can be self-reinforcing, we must set up our dog’s environment so that undesirable behavior is less likely to occur. If it does happen, we determine the antecedent cause and attempt to change it. We also teach the dog a Positive Interrupter sound as well as Leave It and Drop It cues to interrupt unwanted behavior and re-direct the dog.
No force, intimidation, pain, or other outdated dominance techniques will ever used in training as these methods often result in fear, anxiety, aggression, and/or other unwanted behaviors. As such, no prong, choke, or shock collars will be usedor tolerated.
To improve communication between human and dog, we train using reward markers, such as the word “yes” or the click of a clicker, delivered the moment the dog performs the desired behavior. The reward marker alerts the dog that s/he did the right behavior and will be rewarded—typically with a tiny treat.
Once the dog learns the behavior, the reward marker and treat will be phased out, and the human can just praise the dog or reinforce with life rewards, such as the opportunity to go outside or to play fetch. However, it is often best to reinforce the learned behavior intermittently with a treat to keep the behavior strong since food is the most effective motivator with most dogs.
PV Positive Dog Training specializes in not only puppy training and pet manners, but also dog-dog reactivity cases, which present as barking, growling, or lunging at another dog while on leash. Gradual desensitization and counter-conditioning and/or behavior-adjustment-training (B.A.T.) is used to cure or reduce dog-dog reactivity.
