Why train your dog?

Despite man’s intervention in selective breeding, a dog is predominantly a wolf and, like his ancestors, will in many ways react like one. Ultimately this does not really suit many domestic environments so therefore dog training is required.

Aims of the trainer

To improve the owner ’s knowledge and give those the skills necessary to be able condition their dog to behave in the home environment, a public place and in the presence of other dogs in such a way that would reflect a credit to the dog and owner.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Would I be proud for someone else to walk my dog?
Would I like to live next door to my dog?
Do I think it’s important to learn and have an understanding of handling and caring for my dog in the community?

Training methods

Dogs, like humans, need to be taught in a way that they can understand. Operant conditioning or learning, as it is sometimes known, is an uncomplicated, positive based learning approach and a system used by many professional dog trainers and behaviourists.

The theory is based on lured or wanted behaviours or actions being marked and rewarded. In principle, the owner acts as a manager or controller as the animal is learning. With careful timing, good behaviours are rewarded and undesirable actions are ignored or blocked. The modern technique is fun, easy to learn and is satisfying for both dog and owner.

In principle, the system will promote the dog's lateral thought, allowing it to think for itself. The positive based practice encourages and accelerates the dog’s learning process, which will also secure a trusting relationship. Each session will have a briefing, stating the aims and objections for the training session and how they will be achieved. The coach will, with the owner’s dog, give a practical demonstration allowing them to see the exercise and demonstrate a proofing technique; this step ensures that both dog and owner has an understanding of the required behaviour.

What behaviours will the team learn?

All of the behaviours reflect a practical ability for the owner to be able to control their dog. The skills are based on the ‘National Code’ as defined by the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers. An independent assessment is an option should the owner wish.

There are three levels of progress for dog owners; Bronze, Silver and Gold. There are three elements to each level of assessment:

Basic Practical Control Plus Distractions
Examination/Grooming, Health And Care
Law - National and Local Bylaws

All three elements are similar to each other, but increase in difficulty. They include basic practical control exercises – getting the dog in and out of a vehicle, going through a doorway, control whilst meeting people, reaction to another dog, controlled walking on a lead, recall from free play situation, sit, down and change of position in the sit and down position.

The structured training program also includes examination and grooming, canine National Laws and Local Bylaws, the Country Code and the general dog owner’s code of ethics.

Each training session is tailor made to suit the needs of each dog and owner team. Please note that owners have no obligation to be assessed on the skills that they have learnt. Should you opt for an assessment then the team will either PASS or WILL NOT BE READY to obtain a certificate, no one fails. (Minimum age is 6 months and is non breed specific).

Behavioural issues

Does your dog…

Pull like a train?
Refuse to return when called?
Jump up?
Or are they just out of control?

As a qualified coach, ’The Dog Man’ has the experience and a range of modern and proven techniques to desensitise unwanted behaviours. Each training session will involve an explanation, demonstration and application. All tuition will be aimed at the correct level for the dog and owner team, it will be achievable, interesting and follow a logical format. The client will have an opportunity to try the new training techniques with their dog in a safe environment. A de-brief and a training plan will be prepared and explained for the owner to follow.

Please bear in mind that selective breeding and other factors have influenced certain behaviours and traits, and therefore allowances for individual differences must be made.