The Gold Standard In Positive Dog Training - Belleville, Trenton, Quinte West and Hastings County
Norma Jeanne's Dog Training - Puppy Class, Private Training and Socialization Specialists
THE PUPPY EXPERTS!
Norma Jeanne Laurette is a 100% positive dog trainer and published author, with three books published so far, over 32 years experience, over 7000 dog training classes taught and many hundreds of private canine consultations under her belt.
Fearful Puppy Rehabilitation SpecialistsAbout Our Puppy Training and Socialization ClassesThe most important learning period in your dog’s life for training/socialization is between 7 and 16 weeks of age. You'll accomplish the most gains during this early puppy imprint period. Your dog’s behaviour, personality and social skills are literally imprinted during this time. How you choose to train and socialize your dog is pivotal to your dog’s temperament and behaviour for the rest of its life.
It's been scientifically proven that punishment causes stress, anxiety and/or fear and that these emotions inhibit a dog's ability to think, learn, remember, problem solve and make choices. Therefore, reprimands of any kind are clearly counter-productive to the learning process. And in many cases the dogs develop other behaviour issues and can become unpredictable, reactive and aggressive. It's important to remember that stress, anxiety and fear are at the root of all aggressive behaviour, even with humans. The Dominance or Pack Leader Theory has no scientific basis, is outdated and has been debunked by all the dog world's most respected dog behaviourists. The associated techniques are archaic and in many cases physically and/or emotionally abusive. Balanced training includes both reinforcement and punishment, which confuses and stresses the dog because it can't predict whether something good or bad is about to happen. This too is counter-productive. However, positive does not mean permissive - there must be consequences for incorrect choices however, there's no need or excuse for the use of intimidation, fear, discomfort, pain or reprimands of any kind. Instead we use resource control by ignoring demands and requiring our dogs to earn what they value, which creates a dog pro-actively offering desired behaviours. The great news is that positive training works, we've spent the last 30+ years proving it! Positive training through resource control works far better than any punishment or reprimand can. Best of all, it nurtures the human/canine trust bond and the protects the dog's temperament and emotional well-being. Reprimands damage that bond and lead to a myriad of behaviour problems. If you're doing it right, dog training should be fun for both the dogs and their guardians. Besides, we want companions not slaves. The key to a great tempered, resilient, happy, well adjusted and well behaved dog is early positive training and guided socialization. |