Our understanding of dog behaviour has changed considerably over the past few decades. Historically, there were misunderstandings about why dogs behave as they do. For example, it was believed for a long time that dogs developed behaviours like aggression in order to achieve high status or ‘dominance’ over their owners. Unfortunately, this led to training methods based on coercion or punishment in order to ‘keep dogs in their place’. With recent research, we know that this type of approach is not only unnecessary but counterproductive. Punishment based training methods cause fear and anxiety in dogs, and are associated with the occurrence of undesired behaviours, including aggression towards other dogs and people.
At CanoCoach we train dogs using reward based methods, and do not advocate the use of any training equipment which changes behaviour by causing pain or fear in dogs. As you can see below, there are multiple reasons why reward based training is better!
- Reward based training enhances the bond between dog and owner
- It is easier for dogs to learn if we reward them for doing the right behaviours rather than telling them off when they get things wrong
- Dogs which are trained with rewards enjoy learning – they are a partner in the training sessions and often ‘offer’ new behaviours to see if they get a reward!
- Reward based training will not cause pain or injury to dogs
- Reward based training does not rely on making dogs worried or frightened, so there is less danger of causing problem behaviours
- Reward based training works to change behaviour!
What People Say
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
J. K. Rowling
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
Dr. Seuss
The CanoCoach 