The most common thing I hear from dog owners is that there is too much conflicting dog training information. Information from one dog trainer conflicts another which conflicts with a book, a television show, a web article, even past experience with another dog they owned. Sometimes the advice seems to conflict with common sense itself. They're told ignoring bad behavior completely and rewarding only good behavior is all it takes to get results and that any discipline will make things worse. Dog owners are told that to train a puppy from playing too roughly with its mouth they should distract it with a chew toy and give it a treat, or give it a time out. Unruly behavior at the door is to be met with shaker cans, water bottles etc. It doesn't take long before a frustrated dog owner learns that results if any are slow in coming and marginal at best. Often things get worse and they still can't get their dogs to walk on a loose leash wearing a normal collar, come when called or stay put long enough to allow someone to remove their shoes at the front door. The end result is not much of a life for dog or owner. Fewer walks, no off leash exercise, little or no inclusion on family outings. Not in the original game plan at all.

Mother Dogs

In nature, mother dogs embrace a balance between love and discipline, firmness and fairness, consistency and devotion. They succeed in teaching their puppies to exert self control, develop their attention spans, and learn more complicated life skills. Their relationship is based on a balance of love and respect, encouragement and discipline. The relationship between mother and puppy begins from the moment of birth. Part of the nurturing process is the development and reinforcement of her role as teacher. No mother dog puts her puppies in a time out for playing too rough with their mouths, or tells her puppies to lay quietly until a danger has past by promising a food treat. Her speed, strength, agility, maternal drive, the use of tone and body language, diligent supervision from their birth to young adulthood, all work in concert to develop attention span, and the ability to exert self control without which the learning of life skills would not be possible. This is how dogs learn.

Nature's Template™

My approach is based on what I call Nature's Template™ or natural behavior. Try to circumvent Nature's Template™ and dogs rarely learn more then the trick equivalent of Come, Heel, Stay etc. Most cannot be walked easily and so are walked less. Most cannot come reliably so cannot get the sort of useful exercise that keeps their bodies fit and their minds calm in ways that a walk cannot accomplish. Excessive barking, jumping, destructive behavior, anxiety, aggression and other behavior problems abound. In order for a dog to live a full life and for dog owners to fully enjoy the companionship that dog ownership offers there is no need to re-invent the training wheel. Nature's Template™ provides a balance between love and respect, which with a little guidance is easily enough tapped into by any dog owner.

All Positive All The Time - No Where In The Natural World

Ethological observations in behavior indicate that 'discipline' has a place in the teaching/learning of animals like, dogs, wolves, apes, humans etc. If an approach is not "all positive" it does not mean that it is all confrontational or abusive or need have any lasting negative psychological affect. Nature seems to indicate the opposite is true. Discipline provides a contrast to the equally essential positive aspect of teacher/student relationship. Learning life's lessons comes through both positive and negative experiences. It helps all higher order social species choose their paths. The skill, wisdom, supervision and devotion of the teacher whether they be a mother dog, ape, wolf or our own parents, tempers the way discipline and reward are wielded and not surprisingly seems directly proportional to our long term successes and failures. All discipline and reward their young and have since the beginning of time. With supervision and clarity via a balanced message, a good parent actually reduces the number and severity of mistakes made by their young, ultimately unlocking a wealth of freedom and experience. A bad teacher slams that door shut. Nature determines what happens at that door, not a rigid adherence to an ideological training philosophy. I believe in nature's template and I would no more subtract discipline from a dog's life then I would an essential ingredient in its diet. Ignoring discipline's role in nature is the scientific equivalent of the world is flat.

1,000's Of Clients From Around The World

My mission is to show dog owners how Nature's Template™ applies to day to day interactions with their dog. Dog owners find with this knowledge they easily train their dogs to come, heel, stay etc. Almost all of my 1,000's of clients from around the world have been referred by veterinarians, other clients and even other dog trainers. Many of these dog owners have had their dog enrolled in other dog training courses without success and in a single telephone consultation have turned things around. If your goal is learn how to train your dog in a way that comes as naturally to you as your dog and get mind boggling results sign up to receive my weekly column and my monthly newsletter (top left of this page), or book an appointment for a personal custom in-home session or telephone consultation.

Regards,

John Wade
519-457-9559

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