Hi, guys.

I have had a freelance dog training/sitter/walker for over 10 years. I even handler trained a service dog (with 6 weeks at a service dog program to get him evaluated by a behavioralist as well as take some Obedience and task training).

If you don’t know, over the last two decades, many studies and research has been done which resulted in a new form of training called LIMA (least invasive; minimally aversive). A lot of older trainers and programs still use what’s called balanced training. Balanced training employs scare tactics (yelling, hard physical corrections and other ways to scare the dog into doing what they want. They also use aversive training tools such as shock collars, prongs, and choke chains) along with aversive techniques such as popping the leash, spray bottles, hard corrections that can take form in pulling the leash enough to choke a dog for not complying.

I can go into detail about what research has shown about these methods and how they can actually cause permanent psychological damage to the pet (including fearful behaviors, resource guarding, aggression, and distrust in their owners). The difference between force free/LIMA is that the founding idea is that you want to set your dog up for success and by using positive reinforcement along with positive techniques that basically have the dog want to do what you want instead of trying to hurt, scare, or scare your dog into obedience.

The note that I will make here is that it’s comparable to older generations having been abused and claiming that they learned respect and continue the cycle. While, some people can get through things like that and turn out okay, a lot of people don’t. And dogs are like people - they have personalities of their own. There are some dogs (like my own) who had no issues with a prong that I was forced to use at the program, but there are a lot more who end up with worse problems than before. Some dogs are more sensitive than others. Some show fear if you even raise your voice at them. I would only truly employ aversive techniques in very rare cases. Working line dogs are typically trained with balanced training, but force free is very new to the scene and a lot of trainers and even programs still use the outdated methods.

I have research backing why shock collars are ineffective and bad along with other articles I’d love to share.

One of the major breakthroughs was actually discovering that dominance theory in dogs is wrong and flawed. There’s a YouTube video by the man who created the theory debunking his own theory with new knowledge. There is no such thing as dominance in dogs and even in wolfs. Both of their leadership is more linear.

I also have a lot of knowledge about littermate syndrome and how to deal with littermates.

I was a dog kennel leader for a breeder. I have experience training with mostly large dogs, but have worked with young puppies and older dogs. As well as good grasp on the phases puppies and dogs go through and what that means in terms of training and how to handle thing.

If anyone would like to either message me or leave a comment here, I would love to assist.

Although I will usually suggest getting a skilled trainer/canine behavioralist, and a vet check (any sudden changes in dogs personalities should always rule out sickness or injury first), I am here to help.

I have a ton of different resources.

If you would like to message or comment. Please include things like the dogs age, whether they were rescue or bought (and how old you obtained them), problems you are seeing and want changed. Gear currently used and issues you have with it if any. Also what kind of day to day routine they have. Also, breed/s the dog is.

I hope to help people and also give a better understanding.