FAQs

What is your training philosophy & approach?

We utilize a Graded Errorless Approach that emphasizes on 1) positive reinforcement methods that are free of aversive stimulation and it's troublesome side effects 2) controlling the training environment and gradually transitioning to real world conditions to set your dog up for success and develop a solid foundation 3) breaking down the objective in to small, achievable steps that minimizes frustration common in trial and error methods for both you and your dog. This Graded Errorless Approach is based on scientific evidence and proves to be the most efficient, effective and side effect free method for changing behaviour.

When will I begin to see results?

When will I start seeing results?

When you put in the work! Solid conditioning of new behaviours does not happen over night, and getting rid of an old and stubborn problem behaviour take even longer! Many trainers out there will advertise their services with "guaranteed results" as if training or behavioural management work instantly like a magician waving a wand or celebrity trainers on reality TV (both quite far fetched from reality...). The truth is, it takes gradual and repeated conditioning over time for your dog's nervous system to change in how it responds to stimuli in the environment, so your commitment is the biggest deciding factor in their success! We are here to train YOU on how to train your dog, and the only guarantee is that if you put in the time and effort, you will see the results!

What is the difference between a Dog Trainer and a Canine Behaviour Consultant?

A Dog trainer is someone who can help you train a behaviour that is not currently in your dog's repertoire, and a Canine Behaviour Consultant is someone who can do the above AND help you manage and/or resolve problematic behavioural issues your dog may be having which requires extensive education in Canine Behaviour Sciences. This sets the C.B.C. apart from the cookie cutter methods most dog trainers default towards, which may or may not work with your specific situation because they are based on anecdotal evidence and lack the proper analysis of what is really going on with your dog. So to put it in simpler terms, every Canine Behaviour Consultant is also a dog trainer, but not every dog trainer is a Canine Behaviour Consultant.

Is my dog too old to be trained?

Of course not! You CAN in fact "teach an old dog new tricks"! The scientific term for "Training" is actually "Conditioning" and is strengthened when the nervous system is changed over time through repeated interactions with various stimuli in the environment. So if your dog has a functioning nervous system and responds to stimuli then they are not too old for training!

Why is the theory of Dominance flawed and the use of Punishment counter-productive?

The idea of dominance was first suggested by Dr. David Mech who came up with the theory while studying wolves in captivity (wolves in the wild did not have hierarchy and none of this has much to do with dogs anyway!) and has since admitted its flaws and retracted his theory. This misconception has been made popular by certain TV personalities and plagued the canine training community for decades. Being the "alpha" and using punishment to show "dominance" over your dog pits you and your dog in an adversarial relationship, resulting your dog's "obedience" conditioned by fear and you becoming the obstacle between your dog and actually learning how to behave appropriately. Ask yourself, if punishment worded then how come dogs continue to exhibit the same problems? That's because punishment only suppresses behaviour in that instance like a band-aid, and does not address the underlying contingency of behaviour so they are not really a shortcut to putting in the time and effort with positive reinforcement based training. In addition to being counter-productive, punishment can also lead to many problematic side effects such as aggression and fear, and will usually make matters worse in the long run. So Instead of what not to do, teaching your dog what TO DO through positive reinforcement is far more efficient and effective, not to mention more beneficial for their well being and the social bond between you and your dog. Your dog does not need a "leader" and a win or lose dynamic, they need you to be their source of reinforcement and positivity. Thankfully, professionals in the field of canine behaviour and dog training today have abandoned this debunked theory and its archaic methods. So the next time you hear someone suggesting that "you need to let your dog know who's the boss" or "you should use a choke or shock collar", educate them and stop the spread of these bad advice!