Professional Affiliations

Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
Pet Care Services Association (PCSA)

Our Philosophy

We use only positive reinforcement training methods. These fast and effective techniques are safe for everyone involved and produce reliable, lasting results without punishment or threats. Based on the latest behavioral science, positive reinforcement training is what professional animal trainers everywhere use: In zoos, sea parks, and wildlife conservation programs.

The fact that most dogs have left farm work and hunting behind should not make us forget that they are canine, not human. When they jump, pull, bark, chew, or bite, they are not being bad or intentionally disobedient, they are simply animals: They do what is rewarding or feels logical from their point of view at any given moment. If we use our knowledge of animal behavior to train them, we can get what we want from these marvelously adaptive and bright creatures without any confrontation, fear, or pain.

Want to know more?

Read these articles by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior on the fallacy of the dominance theory and on the danger of punishment training.

For more articles and books, see the Recommended Reading list under Resources.