Philosophy of Dog Training

There are different methods to use in training, but philosophy is what counts and is what should guide the trainer.  Without a philosophy, the methods are meaningless.

Our philosophy is based on building trust between master and dog by using positive reinforcement.  Respect for the master is gained, and the dog's desire to please is cultivated.

The dog is the only animal that has an innate desire or nature to please us. This is because since its domestication, man has selected dogs that exhibited this desire for breeding and developed this nature so that it may serve man in many ways.  Training should bring out this desire to serve and please.  Positive reinforcement does this, whereas philosophies and methods based on domination and brute force do not.  Domination and force methods and philosophies bring out the "wild" side of the dog, causing the dog to revert back to its more basic instincts of survival.  It will either fight or try to run.

Domination and force philosophies also have the effect of making a dog with a strong will to dominate become more aggressive than it would be if instead its mind were cultivated to serve and please.

An educated canine is a happy canine. Respect begets respect. Violence begets violence.

We do not endorse methods that are harsh or that destroy a dog's personality or
encourage distrust.

Sample of methods based on our philosophy--

• The use of unity praise, a system of positive reinforcement:  Verbal, Touch, Taste
• Use of the "Nein" command.
• How to teach the dog to walk on a loose lead without pulling:
  • Sneak-away
  • Circle-rights and circle-lefts
• Sit-for-a-goody with hand signal.
• Down-for-a-goody with hand signal.
• Teaching the Jumps:  High jump, bar jump, broad jump.
• Teaching the directed jumping exercises.
• The Dumbbell -- "to pinch or not to pinch"

Bring your canine best friend to A-Plus Canine College!
You'll see why our motto is Be Kind; Educate Your Dog's  Mind!