Dog Training? People Training?  Both!

The running joke is that dog trainers aren't training the dog but the owners.  There's some truth to that. We can't  change/improve behavior in a dog if the owner isn't willing to learn new skills.  Training takes a lot of work.

My first words to a new client are "You are ultimately responsible for the behaviors you get."  I set the tone for our interactions from the very first encounter. Owners have to understand what 'learning' is and how to set realistic expectations. They also have to be held accountable for doing their 'homework'. Without their involvement - little change will take place.

 

A good trainer applies training like a science and art. Great knowledge about behavioral psychology, the ability to produce training plans, have great mechanical skills, being knowledgeable with the species they specialize in and people skills are critical. 

 

Training Principles and Techniques

 

Daphne uses behavioral psychology (learning principles and learning theory) which includes classical and operant conditioning techniques that uses the least intrusion with minimal aversion as possible to the learner. She uses rewards and schedules of reinforcement to help the learner acquire new behavior and to change behavior. These include food rewards, toys, games and life rewards.  She never uses choke chains, prong collars or shock collars as they are simply unnecessary and potentially harmful physically and behaviorally.  Clicker training is another tool that she uses depending on the case.