Methods

Modern Dog Education I am not using just one method, but common up to date dog educational methods, based on current knowledge about how dogs learn and communicate, about their progenitor the wolf as well as hierarchy and dog behaviour.

Individual solutions There is not only one way to solve a problem, which can be recommended to all dog-human teams. It is necessary to find individual solutions. Every dog/human is different. Every single breed has diverse needs and "aptitudes". Every dog-human team and its way of life are different.

To scare into obedience - something unnecessary

In old educational methods using drill, military tone, choke or prong collars, etc. dogs obey because they are afraid and want to avoid something unpleasant or painful. They are neither motivated nor like to obey. With such methods dogs cannot build up any bond of trust with their owners, the relationship is defective.

Positive reinforcement On the contrary, the learning situation with modern training methods is completely different. The basic principle is the positive reinforcement of desired behaviour, mostly by food reward, and this is the most important difference from the traditional education: Dogs trained with positive reinforcement like to obey because they know that thus they can gain something appealing and pleasant. They have fun learning and are motivated, between dog and owner exists a trustful bond. Educational resources are, amongst others, Halti and drag leash. It goes without saying that no pain is caused to the dog. Setting limits Of course, limits are set to the dog. Negative behaviour is interrupted appropriately, depending on dog or situation, by a muzzle-grip or shaking a tin containing pebbles, etc. The motto is: As positive as possible, as negative as necessary.

Owner cooperation The next difference is to involve the owners in the training from the very beginning. Without them it doesn't work. They are the only ones who live together with the dog. They must know how (they have) to deal with him.

The owners get to know the behaviour of the dog, causes and solutions are explained, and they practice together with their dog. The owners learn subtle methods, which are useful to (re)create the hierarchy between them and their dog. I show them how to teach the dog the basic instructions. Their present behaviour with the dog is rectified, if necessary. They are informed about how dogs learn and communicate, what primary needs (besides eating) they have, how to create a bond with their dogs, how to keep dogs busy in reasonable ways, why dogs should be educated at all, how to correct or to stop undesirable behaviour in the appropriate way, etc. Owners have to rethink and above all cooperate:
I do not educate their dogs for them, but I give them the necessary know-how, so that they can educate their dogs in the way which is appropriate to the species and so that both owners and dogs have fun (again) living together. Owners must understand that the dog does not change his behaviour until they change theirs towards the dog. Of course, each customer receives the most important information also in written form. Supporting therapies I deal with some behaviour problems using (as a support) Bach flowers, homeopathy, naturopathic methods and/or a special massage technique. Home visits Since behaviour problems have their origin at home, home visits are necessary. But also in case of a standard education course I visit the house of the dog. The training begins in the house/garden (without distraction) and is gradually shifted outside in the usual environment. The distraction is thus increased. He is trained in the city, in the forest or on the beach.