Thank you for being here for our Canine Conversations and for choosing to seek training advice from the professionals at Pets and Their People!
We hope you enjoy our conversations and find them informative and useful in helping to manage and train your pets.
Canine Conversations Articles
Your Instinct Is Right…You Should Comfort Your Scared Dog
by Sam Wike I get asked by many clients if they’re reinforcing their dogs’ fear(s) by trying to comfort them and the simple answer is NO. We aren’t reinforcing fear with reassurance- we are reducing fear by reassurance. This is not my opinion but a scientific fact. If you’re feeling sad, grieving, scared, unsure, or anxious, don’t you seek out some way to feel comforted? Do the calm words or actions of a friend, loved one, trusted colleague or even a stranger help to mitigate, in some way, what you’re… Continued
Why Do We Keep Punishing Our Pets? It’s Not What You Think.
It’s a scenario many pet guardians know well: you walk in the door to find a “surprise” on the carpet, or your dog barks relentlessly at the mail carrier. In the heat of the moment, a sharp “NO!” or a frustrated tug on the leash feels like the natural, immediate response. And for a split second, it works, right? The barking stops for a moment, the dog cringes, and you feel like you’ve communicated your displeasure. However, here’s the deal: While reward-based training is overwhelmingly recommended by vets and animal… Continued
The Pet Professional Guild’s Ethical Stance
Here at the Pet Professional Guild, we have a strong ethical stance on the behavior and training of both pets and their people. What Are Ethics? Ethics in pet training are a set of principles and standards that guide a trainer’s decisions and actions to ensure the humane, safe, and effective treatment of animals. Ethical training prioritizes the well-being of the animal, fosters a relationship of trust and respect, and uses methods that are scientifically sound and aversive-free. Force-Free and Positive Reinforcement Ethical training is synonymous with force-free and positive-reinforcement methods. These approaches focus… Continued
Reward-Based Dog Training: Your Questions Answered!
Thank you for making the decision to invest this time in your pet’s education. At PPG, we consider it an honor that you are trusting us to help guide you on your dog training journey. It is such an important decision- the one you have just made – a decision to invest the time and effort into helping your dog successfully integrate into your life and home. Why Train Your Dog? As data shows us, more pets are surrendered to shelters due to behavioral issues than for any other reason.… Continued