Training
Most of us would you like a dog that we can take anywhere with us. A dog that is pleasure to walk, doesn't pull on the leash, doesn't react to other dogs, doesn't steal food off the table, doesn't jump up to strangers, doesn't bark when someone rings the doorbell. In reality, however, a lot of us are struggling with our unruly pooches. Owning a dog that is aggressive towards other dogs or people, is leash reactive, doesn't seem to ever calm down, barks incessantly or jumps up on kids can be extremely stressfull and often people feel that their only option is to give the dog up for adoption. Luckily though, there are other options! Any dog can be taught to walk nicely on the leash, not to jump on people, not to bark at bicycles and not to charge through the front door the second you open it.I can help you to teach those basic manners to your dog. Check the different training packages available on One to One training.
I appreciate the fact that there is currently no nationally recognised certificate for animal trainers, nor is the field in any way regulated, which means that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. However, being a member of a professional body, such as the Finnish Guild of Animal Trainers, means that I am bound by their rules and code of contact. In my training and in all my interactions with animals I only use methods that have been backed up by thorough scientific research into animal behavior and learning. I do not use physical punishments, fear or intimidation in my training. I will never hurt an animal, and will always do my utmost to not cause any stress or discomfort. I sincerely believe that we all learn best when learning is fun!
Dogs, very much like people, work best when they are motivated to do so, not when they are scared and work to avoid punishment. Wouldn't you prefer to do something for a pound, rather than because you are sacred you get slapped if you don't? Trainers that claim to "sort your dog out in one meeting" are mostly the ones that will scare and intimidate your dog to obey. Although those methods might work once, they do not create long lasting results. In addition, they create a dog that is scared of doing anything, due to the fear of punishment.
If the dog is trained using force, intimidation or other nasty aversives, he might at first seem to do what you want, but eventually you will lose that special relationship with your dog that so many of us think is the best thing about having a dog. Therefor I prefer to train using methods that actually reinforce and strengthen that relationship rather than destroy it. In addition, a dog that loves working with you is will always be willing to learn new things and do his best in whatever you require of him!
Using positive, reward based methods, does not mean that everything is allowed, or that the animal has no boundaries or rules. Instead the idea is to teach the animal the right way of behaving and then reinfocing that, rather than waiting for him to do something wrong and then punishing. The trick is to be practive rather than reactive! For instance if your dog jumps up to greet people, you can teach him that greetings happen only after he has all four paws on the floor. He gets what he wants by doing what you want! Simples!