Open Disclosure
Open Disclosure - What It's Like to Work with Me!
Recently I had the misfortune of seeing a FB post that can only be described as toxic (note to the FB algorithm: not all dog training posts are the same, I like ones that involve liberal amounts of cookies). I have reported it as bullying and harassment. And also as misinformation. The misinformation bit is key. The premise was that positive reinforcement trainers are cult-like; we reel you in and then boom! Apparently, we’re all about choice, consent, feelings, and cookies - and somehow, that’s a bad thing?
So, in the spirit of transparency and clearing up misconceptions, here’s what working with me actually looks like:
- I use food in training, and I’ll ask you to do the same. Treats are a powerful tool to teach and build trust. (Plus, dogs love them!)
- I also use other reinforcers, depending on the the situation. What's reinforcing is determined by the dog (and what we use is determined by the situation). These could be toys, play, or environmental rewards like sniffing a favourite spot. It depends. Every dog is different.
- “It depends” is one of my favourite phrases. Because, well, it does. Every dog is an individual, and we need to adapt accordingly.
- I’ll help you identify and meet your dog’s needs. From mental stimulation to physical exercise to emotional support, we’ll figure out what makes your dog thrive.
- Sniffing is non-negotiable. Dogs experience the world through their noses, and I encourage plenty of sniff breaks on walks.
- I encourage dogs to amble and choose their own path. Walks should be enjoyable, not a march to nowhere.
- Choice and agency are cornerstones of my training. Giving dogs the ability to make choices builds confidence and trust. We’ll discuss how, when, and where to do this in a way that works for you and your dog.
- I don’t - deliberately - use punishment in training. Use of "deliberate" is important, because sometimes shit happens and what I think should be reinforcing turns out not to be. We all make mistakes, and if that happens, we reassess and adjust.
There are probably more things that I can add to this list, but here's your Saturday morning starter.
If you have questions about how I train, or if you want to make sure we're a good fit, then by all means email me before booking. I encourage it.
Two questions to ask any trainer
When choosing a professional to work with your dog, ask these two critical questions:
- What happens when my dog gets it right?
- What happens when my dog gets it wrong?
Listen carefully to their answers. If anything feels off, ask follow-up questions. And if you don’t like the answers, trust your gut and keep looking.
Pictured: Wolly, my dog, enjoying a walk on a back-clip harness, choosing his own path and sniffing whenever the f*^# he wants to his heart’s content. Because that’s how we roll.