The Four Paws Way - Four Paws Dog Training

Dog training has evolved from traditional dominance, punishment, and averse methods. Now, the methodologies and techniques support positive reinforcement, rewards, praise, and partnership. Using the knowledge of classical and operant conditioning, we create positive associations and opportunities for your dog to be reinforced for desired behaviors and choices. This makes learning motivating and rewarding for both you and your dog.

Positive:

Neither humans nor dogs learn in situations that are stressful or negative. Four Paws provides a positive learning environment for both the human and the dog. It allows both to learn new information and behaviors. The human will have the opportunity to learn “How Dogs Learn” and basic “Clicker” mechanics. The “click” of the clicker tells your dog that they are doing the right thing. It is a powerful communication tool and provides a strong bridge to building positive behaviors in a structured yet creative way. Your dog will learn what you expect and know that making positive choices produces positive consequences. Click/Treat!

Proactive:

At Four Paws Dog Training, we believe that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. We work on building strong skills for your dog that are the foundation of LIFE SKILLS.

Life Skills:

Sit/Down/Stand
Attention & Focus
Impulse Control
Wait/Stay
Door Manners
Meet & Greet
Leave It
Go to Mat
Settle
Loose Leash Walking
Reliable Recall

Learning these skills creates confidence and reliability in your dog and confidence for you as your dog’s partner.

Purposeful Planning:

We collaborate to determine your goals for your dog. Every household may have different rules or boundaries for their dogs. Is my dog an inside dog or an outside dog? Are they allowed on the furniture? Will I travel with my dog? Will my dog be a “city or country dog”? By purposeful planning, we look at your dog individually. Thus, creating goals and the skills that your dog needs to live a safe and harmonious life in your family.

Purposeful planning also addresses behavioral issues that don’t work for you and ultimately your dog. Thus, creating a plan for success to re-teach and reinforce life skills and manners that create a circle of safety and harmony for all.

Common Problem Behaviors

Attention and Focus
Excessive Barking
Nipping/Destructive Chewing
Leash Pulling
Hyperactivity
Resource Guarding
Door Behaviors
Reactivity (fear, over-arousal)
Multi-dog households

Partnership:

The human-animal bond is an amazing one. Dogs have the innate qualities of acceptance, forgiveness, and of being non-judgmental. We humans can learn from our canine friends. Four Paws Dog Training honors that bond. In turn, we strive to demonstrate those qualities in human-human interaction. Thus, creating a trusting and collaborative relationship between you and your dog.