Frequently asked questions.
I often have people asking questions about how I work, what my qualifications are etc so I thought I would try and bring them together all in one spot, if your question isn’t answered please drop me an email, or give me a call on 07525214297 (I am always happy to chat about all things dogs and it gives us both an opportunity to see if we would be a good ‘fit’).
What training methods do you use ?
I don’t envy owners looking for trainers and behaviourists nowadays, there are so many new trainers popping up. How do you decide whether to follow a ‘positive reinforcement’ based approach or a ‘balanced’ approach. For me it is all about ethics and science. My first concern when working with you and your dog is your dogs welfare.
Our understanding of dogs and how they learn has come on in leaps and bounds over the last 20 years or so, I know when I trained my first dogs many years ago we would wait for our dog to do something wrong and then ‘correct’ them, we now know that this isn’t the most effective way to train our dogs.
I am a positive reinforcement trainer, in a nut shell I will never ask you to do anything to your dog which would make you, or more importantly them, feel uncomfortable, this means I will never suggest ‘tools’ which are designed to cause discomfort such as prong collars (pinch collars), shock collars (e-collars / remote training collars), grots, slip leads, or, choke chains (check chains). Why ? Simply put the science tells us that all these tools are detrimental to our dogs welfare and our relationship with them (I can send you a long list of research studies if you are interested :0).
Both training methods will work, however (again the science!) we know that using positive reinforcement training results in longer lasting results and a stronger bond with your dog. I have worked with a lot of dogs over the years who have previously been trained using ‘tools’, the minute the tool comes off the behaviour we are trying to resolve will often reappear – why ? the tools serve only to suppress behaviour, not resolve it.
There is a reason why all the well known rescue organisations concerned with animal welfare advocate for the use of positive reinforcement training. If something doesn’t feel right, or if a trainer tells you the ‘tool’ is the only way to help you and your dog – find another trainer (the ABTC website is a great place to start).
Positive reinforcement training means that we ‘pay’ your dog for a job well done, it may be food, toys or the environment, whatever your dog finds rewarding. It fosters optimism in our dogs and helps create willing learners who start to learn more and more quickly. It could be argued that you will see quick results with ‘balanced’ training, but at what cost to your dog ?
I could talk about how different training methods affect our dogs welfare for hours but why should you believe me ? You will get told different things by different people – there is a lovely book which helps us understand how our dogs perceive things this link will take you to it on Amazon – It’s written by a vet with a PhD in canine anxiety.
I am a great believer in the saying “When we know better, we do better”.
Are you qualified ?
The million pound question! In the UK there are no regulations for dog trainers or behaviourists, it is not a ‘protected’ term which means anyone can set themselves up and charge an awful lot of money with no more knowledge than you have yourself.
I believe a trainer or behaviourist should have a mix of practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge – the theory helps us understand why our dogs behave in the way that they do, and the practical experience is crucial to ensure that we understand that every dog is different and they haven’t read the text books.
I believe that the learning never ends, I continually update my knowledge through continuing professional development (you can see what I have been upto recently here). I also hold an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare (the theory bit of my learning), from a practical perspective I undertook the Karen Pryor certified training professional course and shadowed a lot of trainers before I took the plunge myself (8 years ago and counting).
You don’t seem as expensive as some other trainers – does that mean you aren’t very good ?
I love helping dogs and their owners and try to ensure that I offer something for everyone at a price point that is accessible. Yes, I have probably more qualifications, and experience than most, but I am a true Yorkshire lass and like to give (and get) value for money, please don’t be put off because I seem ‘cheap’. Don’t take my word as to whether I am good at my job -at last count I had over 250 5* reviews from owners (I’m sure it would be more if dogs could type :0). You can read some of them here or, here
Do I have to come to you for training ?
It depends (a phrase you will hear me use a lot), I don’t have a training centre (it’s one of the things that helps keep costs low). I will usually come to you for 1-2-1 sessions, and I hold group classes at a few accessible venues.
When we are training or working on behaviour I find it more beneficial to work in the places your dog is familiar with, such as home, or on your normal walk. Our dogs can act very differently in different environments so there is little point asking you to come to a ‘sterile’ field if we are working on things such as loose lead walking or recall.
Classes are held at:
Belmont Unleashed in Starbeck
Hopewell dog park in Knaresborough
For separation anxiety training this is predominantly done over video call.
If you have a question that you can’t see the answer to please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Thanks
Kate
