Dog training has changed a lot over the last 50 or so years. It doesn’t seem long ago since we heard the advice to hit the dog’s nose with a rolled up newspaper to tell him he has done something wrong… or to ‘rub his nose in it’ if he has an accident in the house. We were told to ‘give the lead a yank’ to ‘correct’ the dog’s pulling.

It’s odd that, in the past, we have felt the need to resort to strategies like these.

So, what has changed? Science now plays a big part in (in fact, underpins all) great dog training.

Unfortunately, it is true to say that some of the ‘old school’ methods work – sometimes – for a while – but at what cost? Yes, a dog might stop jumping on the sofa if they get a whack on the nose or if they hear a nasty, shouty voice when they do it – wouldn’t you?

But, surely we can use more humane and pleasant ways to communicate with what we often call ‘our best friend’. We humans are supposed to be the intelligent ones! Do we communicate with our children like this? Surely, there is a better way…

Often, we forget to ask ourselves the most important question: ‘What is my dog learning?’ (as opposed to, what [do I think] am I teaching my dog?)

Then we can follow it up with the next (key) question, ‘What can I do differently to make it easier for my dog to learn?

So, this is as much about mum or dad than it is about Rover (actually, it is all about mum and dad). Rover is doing the best he can with the training he has had, in the environment he is being asked to perform in.

 is all about science based, positive reinforcement, force-free training.

For too long, dog owners have been told what to do without knowing why? Understanding the ‘why’ means you can apply your learning to similar scenarios. That way, you are in a powerful position to develop your relationship with your dog on a day-by-day basis. When we get it right, there is no battle of wills – the dog chooses to do the ‘right’ thing.

What’s not to like about that?