Introduction 2 Feet, 4 Paws has been
developed to help assist people communicate effectively with their
canine companions.
We only use
humane methods of training and techniques which work on
modifying behaviour long term, we do not suggest bribery or short
term solutions. There are a few simple rules for working with
dogs
and put simply, handlers or trainers which try to employ speed and
power to modify a behaviour will never be
successful. Dogs
can be strong and powerful and will always win that particular battle.
So the easiest solution and the method 2 Feet, 4 Paws uses is simply to
CHEAT! If there is
only 1 outcome for any given exercise there is no room for failure and
everyone wins!
For our
training we use positive and negative reward methods. This is
the fastest way to train and most effective way to communicate with a
dog a desired behaviour and always creates a successful outcome.
Behaviour
Dogs
Attitude
Problem
Fido jumps on guests when
they walk through the front door, and is physically pulled off by the
handler and shouted at.
Fido thinks that everyone
who
walks through his front door is fair game to be jumped on. He enjoys
the interaction with the guest and the handlers response showing him
attention.
Resolution
Physically prevent Fido
from
access to the door or visitors. By using devices such as baby gates,
crates or a pen. This behaviour can be extinguished almost immediately
and rewards given for appropriate behaviour.
Fido learns that he will
get a
much more favourable interaction from the guest and handler, such as
pats and treats if his behaviour is different.
For every problem the
easiest solution is always to physically prevent
the dog from performing it. This provides an opportunity for the dog to
do something different and possibly receive a positive reward, such as
attention from the handler, food or play time.
It may seem fundamental but we believe it is important that the handler
can handle their own dog! A dog will never behave the same for a
stranger/trainer as it will in its own home with its owner and more
often than not, the dog
already knows what it is supposed to be doing, but would rather be
doing something different. For this reason we do not board dogs for
'training', it is not productive and usually a waste of money for the
owner.