In-Home Dog Training
It’s our experience that in-home training is more individualized and our clients achieve greater success than large group classes because it minimizes distractions. Behavioral issues and basic obedience need to be addressed one-on-one with private training to achieve the greatest results. Then the obedience and behaviors taught can be tested in a more distracting environment.
Just a Walk in the Park’s training philosophy is that a dog will do dog things. When it’s understood why a dog does what it does, enhancement of certain natural behaviors or corrective action taken for misbehavior, may be applied.
Dogs generally will respond to leadership and benevolence. They tend to avoid or shy away from uneasy situations or those which they distrust. Drew’s training first establishes leadership, then makes the learning environment distraction free and comfortable.
Teaching a dog to respond to specific cues is relatively easy. The real challenge is keeping the human consistent, patient, and interested in developing that special friendship which is strengthened through training.
As a balanced trainer, Drew recognizes that most negative training experiences are generated by frustration and loss of patience by the handler and is not a rewarding experience for either the dog or handler. Reward based training is not just granting a treat for a trick well done. It is the positive reinforcement and confidence the handler instills and shares with the dog at all times.
The 4 Quadrants of Operant Conditioning
Drew believes in a balanced approach to dog training and in using all 4 quadrants of operant conditioning.
Operant conditioning is a form of learning that is based on the consequences of an animal’s behavior. In dog training, this principle can be used to shape and modify the dog’s behavior effectively. In this type of learning, the dog associates the consequences of its behavior with the behavior itself. There are four quadrants of operant conditioning, which include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment.
Positive reinforcement is the act of adding something desirable to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. For example, giving a dog a treat after they sit on command is a form of positive reinforcement. The dog learns that the desired behavior results in a reward and is more likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
Negative reinforcement is the act of removing something unpleasant to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. For example, a dog’s bottom is pushed to place the dog into a sit, and then released once the dog is in a sit. The behavior of sitting was negatively reinforced by the removal of the pressure on the dog’s rear end.
Positive punishment is the act of adding something unpleasant to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. For example, scolding a dog for jumping on someone is a form of positive punishment. The dog learns that the undesired behavior results in an unpleasant consequence and is less likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
Negative punishment is the act of removing something desirable to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. For example, taking away a dog’s toy after they bite is a form of negative punishment. The dog learns that the undesired behavior results in the removal of a reward and is less likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
Understanding the four quadrants of operant conditioning is crucial in shaping a dog’s behavior effectively. It is important to use the appropriate quadrant for each behavior, as different quadrants may produce different results. When used correctly, operant conditioning can be a powerful tool for modifying a dog’s behavior and creating a happy and well-trained companion.
Our Services
Drew’s training methods include family-friendly techniques which have been proven successful for the average dog owner.
Drew helps coach owners and family members in communication, leadership skills, and the recognition of responsibilities when they bring a pet into the home.
Behavior Modification
Involves identifying the specific behavior that needs to be modified, understanding the underlying causes of the behavior, and then implementing a training plan that uses positive reinforcement and other techniques to shape the dog’s behavior over time. This approach is based on the principles of operant conditioning.
In behavior modification training, a dog’s behavior is closely observed, and the trainer uses rewards, such as treats or praise, to reinforce good behavior and corrections to discourage unwanted behavior. The trainer may also use desensitization and counterconditioning techniques to help the dog overcome fear or anxiety related to certain stimuli or situations.
- Peeing/pooping in the house
- Destructive chewing & digging
- Counter surfing
- Nuisance barking
- Resource guarding & food aggression
- Mouthing, nipping, & playing rough
- Anxiety
- Jumping up & hyperactivity
- Aggression & anxiety
- Leash aggression
- Reactivity
Obedience Training
Obedience training teaches dogs and their owners the basic commands that make communication easy and effective.
- Sit
- Stay
- Come
- Down / Lay
- Place / Bed
- Heel (no leash pulling)
- Off (the couch, bed)
- Recall (coming when called)
- Leave it
- Drop it
- No (reinforced)
- Out command
- eCollar training
- Teaching calmness
Puppy Training
Teaches basic obedience skills and proper socialization. Guidance on a variety of topics such as:
- Puppy nipping/mouthing
- Leash & housebreaking
- Crate training
