SOMETHING ABOUT ME AND WHAT I DO

I have been involved with dogs for a lifetime and have owned and trained a variety of different breeds, including "rescue" dogs. I have competed occasionally with my dogs, but found that training dogs with people was more rewarding, although often more demanding! I have trained and qualified a Border Collie to become an Assistance Dog through "Dog Aid" for a wheelchair-bound owner, as well as other specialised training. My interest in training dogs began when I was a child when my parents had kennels, and I helped my father train some of the dogs that came to us for training.

I began training people and their dogs around thirty years ago, but during that time my training methods have evolved and advanced. My own introduction to class style training began at typcial dog training clubs of the time. However, I felt obliged to continually re-assess the training techniques taught, to be enable me to offer the best possible methods to the general public and their dogs.

During that time, my study of dogs and their behaviour has been a continual process. I have an extensive library which traces the history of dog training from its early beginnings, written by such early trainers as Konrad Most and later, the memorable Barbara Woodhouse. These early trainers depended largely on correction and punishment.

However, as early as the nineteen hundreds, scientists discovered the principles of classical conditioning (Pavlov) and operant conditioning (Thorndike, Watson and B.F Skinner) and this work was largely overlooked in the dog training world until relatively recently. These are the principles on which my training is based. These methods aren't unique to me; they aren't "my" methods; they are scientifically proven methods, which any trainer or owner can devlop by studying the principles from which they evolved.

Roughly translated this means that my training methods are positive and reward based. I don't use correction or punishment at any stage or any kind of force or coercion. You will never need to say "no" to your dog, and you will be able to speak quietly to your dog without raising your voice.

Think it won't work? Try it!

 

With my five dogs back in Summer 1995

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