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ABOUT OUR TRAINERS:
Master Dog Training's trainers have undergone a rigorous curriculum in canine behavior, learning
theory, problem solving, and supervised hands-on experience specializing in inducive training, i.e. positive reinforcement based
training. Our trainers use inducive training primarily; however,
if the dog has resistant, dangerous or intolerable behaviors, we may consider combining inducive training with compulsive
training. We believe that the least invasive (i.e. without pain or force) techniques must be competently tried and
exhausted before more invasive techniques are attempted.
Our trainers are formally educated, accredited, certified
or degree holding dog trainers and/or behaviorists.
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BEWARE:
Beware of old-time "snatch and grab" trainers that leash jerk
as their main tool for control. That method discontinued prior to the 1960's when trainers and veterinarians
realized that leash jerking was spraining neck muscles, collapsing tracheas, and misaligning vertebraes!
Beware of trainers that use murky euphemisms to disguise their more violent practices and retain their clients.
Dog's aren't being leash jerked, they are being given a "correction". Stressed dogs aren't "shut
down," they're "calm". It's not strangling, it's "leading".
Beware of trainers
that use static correction collars aka shock collars as their main method of control. To use such harsh forms of corporal
punishment just to make a dog obey the words "sit", "down", and "heel" is not
justified and inhumane. You can spot these trainers easily by seeing a remote control either hanging around their neck or being
held in their hand. Some are more stealthy and will hide the remote control in their pockets.
Beware
of trainers that blame disobedience on "dominance". This is a main-streamed idea that has been popularized on some
TV shows. To say a dog is refusing to obey a command because his owner is not dominant over him is simplistic and
shows a lack of understanding for how dogs behave and learn. Social dominance has to due with competition over resources
and mates, and nothing to do with following commands.
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
Obedience
is primarily inhibitory in nature. Obedience is mainly concerned with preventing the animal from acting like a dog; it restrains
its impulses to roam and explore, to hunt and to try its strength against other dogs. It is very artificial and for this reason
it is difficult to train obedience really well.
Good obedience depends upon creating motivation in the dog. Therefore
the animal's willingness, its eagerness to please us, is absolutely essential. we cannot do without it. In addition to
this basic requirement in the dog, the animal's handler must take care to: use at the proper moments, a great deal of
vigorous, sincere and unself-conscious praise, practice emotional restraint and self-control, be patient and meticulous, and
have the sense and the skill to apply the least amount of force to the animal that will accomplish his purpose.
Used together in a thoughful way, these guidlines help to produce a dog that is lively and free-moving in obedience
- a pleasure to look at and a pleasure to work with.
RECOMMENDATION:
When looking for a dog trainer, ask questions about their training technique, philosophy,
credential, and education. Don't let someone who is not formally educated about dogs try to educate you about
your dog. Don't let someone who is just a "dog trainer" attempt to conduct behavior modification on your dog
- they could make things worse. Behavior modification should only be done by a behaviorist, i.e. someone who has studied a
behavioral science and has attained an advanced degree such as a master or doctorate.
Don't
shop by price. A trainer's rates, whether very cheap or extremely high does not mean they are good or bad
trainers. What does matter is their education in dog training and behavior.
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