How Positive Training Methods Saved My Puppy: My Journey To Become A Dog Trainer

It Began With A Fearful Puppy

I discovered the importance of humane training through an incredible story and personal experience.  The first steps into this venture began with my first family dog and the frustration of having a fearful and biting puppy.

Over 27 years ago, I rescued a 3 month old puppy, an Alaskan Malamute, and named her Kayana.  At the time, I also had three young boys.  My motive and dream was simple - I wanted a faithful family companion. One I'm sure motivates many of us to bring home a dog for the first time.

 I quickly became concerned and overwhelmed however when Kayana showed signs of fear. She coward from us and even began snap biting at my children when they approached her. I could not imagine this as normal behavior. It was heartbreaking to think that this dog could not be trusted around my children.  You may know this feeling if you have a reactive dog - the feeling of avoidance and distance. We walked on eggshells around her to avoid arousing and triggering her. 

Our Frantic to Focused online course is perfect for the fearful or reactive dog

Bad Advice-Harsh Methods Made Her Worse

My first thought was she needed training. She was a puppy and lacked many skills she needed to be the companion I dreamed she could be. I immediately sought advice from my vet and a local breeder on how to train her. The problem is that I was getting bad advice.  This was in the early 1990's and much of the prevailing wisdom was to show leadership through dominance and force. Methods which I now understand only increases fear and stress in a dog.  

We tried using choke and prong collars on walks and her unruly and fearful behaviors became intense and more frequent.  By the time she was 6 months old, new behaviors emerged like running away and growling.  We were assured that this was behavior a shock collar would fix. 

More Aversive Training, More Problems 

She was whining, pacing, not able to settle. Kayana would not listen to simple asks like sit or stay. It was obvious she had great anxiety.  She seemed to get more distant from us and more of a daily problem.

My first lesson was with Linda Caplan, co-author of "The Agility Training Workbook-Step-by-Step Motivational Method with Suzanne Clothier.  Linda showed me how to reduce Kayana's fear using one of Suzanne's methods called Treat-Retreat.  Most importantly, I learned to shift from correcting behaviors to teaching  and rewarding behaviors.

To my astonishment, in a matter of one week, her whining and pacing behaviors stopped! In three weeks, her biting behaviors subsided.  I gave her more freedom around the children as they were shown how they could also use positive training methods.  Kayana was less fearful, was coming when called, and excelled in other obedience tasks like sitting or lying quietly.  She became such an eager learner that I was able to take her to group dog classes and we attended and graduated from all levels of obedience.

We were building a trusting relationship and our connection and abilities grew stronger with each day.  In fact, our bond grew so strong, I was asked to join a dog instructor training program and I was encouraged to compete in AKC obedience trials. Kayana responded to me with such zeal and devotion- It was remarkable the difference.

Polite Dog. Happy Family.

 Kayana earned her Obedience Title and Canine Good Citizen titles by the time she was 24 months old (1994).  I earned my Certification as a Dog Obedience Instructor in 1998.  More importantly, Kayana became a trusted and loving family member who will forever hold a special place in my heart. I learned HOW we train our dog is an important key to discovering that joy of having a companion dog. Positive training brings a unique understanding and appreciation of our dog.

Positive Training - A Continuing Journey

In time, I learned that Kayana had a physical ailment from the time of her birth. Her early behaviors were rooted in the physical pain. Sadly, it took her life in four short years. Yet another lesson learned on how medical problems manifest as behavior problems. This was a truly bitter-sweet experience for me and drove a passion, a profound desire, to understand animal behavior. These experiences launched a lifetime of service. I set out to have a family companion dog and now work to help dog parents who suffer the frustration and stress from their dog's unwanted or dangerous behaviors. I work to  prevent the fallout of aversive training methods.  

I have so many people to be thankful for... Linda Caplan for being my mentor, Kayana for being a forgiving dog, Karen Pryor for bringing clicker training to the dog world, Terry Ryan and Turid Rugaas, to name just a few that influenced my journey.  This is the journey I want to share with other families that bring home a dog as a companion. Treating our dog with respect and understanding leads to a joy that is unmatched. It is a journey worth undertaking.

Our Frantic to Focused online course is perfect for the fearful or reactive dog