PAWS TO FREEDOM
Assistance Dog Team Training

Teaching People with Disabilities
to train their own Assistance Dogs
by Building Peaceable Partnerships to Independence

Why Train with Positive Methods?

There are a number of reasons why people choose to use positive methods to train their dogs. For some people the choice is made because they have found that they physically cannot make corrections and for others, they are simply wanting a more peaceful way to interact with their dog. For whatever reason positive training is decided upon for training, this method is a proven scientific way that is successful and enjoyable for both the handler and the dog. After all, isn’t that what you are aiming for in training your dog? Success and enjoyment?

Positive training to build a positive life with your dog is built on a relationship. This relationship is between you and your dog. By becoming peaceable partners through positive training methods your dog will make the choices to do the behaviors that you will assist him or her in building, rather than forcing or coercing your dog to do these behaviors. This process will make it easier for life-long learning to happen for your dog. Yes, you will be able to teach even your old dog, new tricks, because you will be training your dog behaviors as well as teaching your dog to learn!

This method is fun for everyone involved and is a wonderful, peaceable, positive method to train dogs and other animals. An excellent training method for training assistance dogs, is that the dog actually learns to learn, or learns to think. This enhances the speed of training. Assistance Dogs need to think to be the sparks in their job. In addition, a dog that is learning by a fun method, enjoys his/her job!

For more information on clicker training, visit the links on the training links page, contact Paws to Freedom, or find a clicker trainer in your area.