A potential client, let’s call him Tom, told me that on a call interviewing another dog trainer, he asked how the man would train his dog to walk on a loose leash. The trainer told him he used a pinch collar. Tom had specifically been searching for a positive, rewards-based trainer, which is what this man stated he was. But even Tom knew that meant no pain to his dog. Humane training doesn’t include pinch, choke, or shock collars. Tom wanted his dog to be trained via rewards not punishment.
When Tom complained to the trainer that he advertises he’s a positive rewards trainer, the trainer belittled Tom. He told Tom he didn’t understand dog training, and he had to use the pinch collar to get certain behaviors out of a dog, including loose leash walking. Wrong!
What this trainer was actually saying was he didn’t have the skill to go outside of punishment training to train a dog to walk on a loose leash. There are other options. But the worst part was that he is claiming to be a positive and rewards-based trainer, but actually, he was ready to hurt Tom’s dog due to his own lack of training skills. A positive, rewards-based trainer doesn’t use positive, rewards-based training sometimes. We use it all the time, and we never resort to pain to train. Tom knew that. Tom did understand the most important part of rewards-based dog training and would get what he wanted for his dog. Tom hung up the phone on that dog trainer and his belittling tactics, and moved onto us for his next interview. Good for Tom!
Consumers who are searching for and interviewing dog trainers because they want their dogs trained using food reinforcement and through training methods that create trust and fun or the dog, not fear and pain, should get what they want. It’s dispicable when people vying for business name themselves positive reinforcement trainers, humane-based trainers, then do a bait and switch on people and their beloved 4-legged family members. Dog training has no regulatory bodies, so it’s up to consumers to do their homework. Ask the right questions, check reviews, and do your homework before sending your dog off to board-and-train.
Love Wags A Tail solely trains dogs using humane, behavioral-science based training mehtods. When we’re not training, we’re baking the training food that we use to train with. Wholesome, nutritious, motivating food dogs love and learn with.
To send your dog to the Love Wags A Tail board-and-train camp for motivational learning with our cast of characters, contact us with your dog training, behavior modification wish list to get started.
Helen Verte Schwarzmann
Contact me
Certified in Training and Counseling
Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed
Certified Trick Dog Instructor
AKC STAR Puppy, CGC, and Trick Dog Trainer and Evaluator
Your Board-and-Train Dog Trainer for south and southwest Florida, Southwest Ranches, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Broward, Collier, Lee county
