My training ethos
The Five freedoms as set out by the (FAWC, 2009) provide a framework when considering the welfare of an animal.
These include: “Freedom from…..hunger and thirst…discomfort …pain, injury or disease …fear and distress, by ensuring conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering…Freedom to express normal behavior….”
By using welfare friendly training methods we are preventing them from suffering from fear, distress, discomfort or pain and allowing them to exhibit normal behaviours.
How I won’t coach you to train your dog:
· I will not use any aversive or punitive manhandling causing discomfort, distress and/or pain.
· I will not use or advise you to use force or intimidation when handling or training your dog.
What equipment I do not tolerate the use of:
· prong or electric shock or anti-bark collars
· corrector sprays
· self-tightening harnesses
· cloth muzzles
· any items designed to scare, shock or intimidate.
These methods promote fear and intimidation and have many potential negative consequences such as:
· Associating owner with painful or scary experiences. This could lead to loss of trust and relationship breakdown.
· Emotional suppression and increased risk of aggressive behaviours.
· Your dog living in a state of fear, distress and pain. These can manifest as avoidant behaviours and redirected aggression.
· Dogs being less playful and enjoying interactions less.
Conversely, reward-based methods have been shown to result in better obedience in dogs compared to punishment or negative reinforcement techniques.
I believe in empowering both human and animal to help them achieve their goals, so I do not tolerate any form of harsh treatment towards your dog (or other humans) and actively promote kindness and empathy. Ethical, reward-based training methods are both effective and humane and increase the bond that you have with your dog. They reduce the risk of potential pitfalls of using punishment and aversive training.
How I will coach you to train your dog:
· Teaching your dog how you want them to behave rather than telling them how not to behave.
· Using reward-based methods including the use of treats, toys and other rewards to motivate and train your dog.
· Kind, caring and fair language including praise.
· Taking into account your dog’s body language e.g. do they want to be touched and if so, how? Do they need more physical space or a different environment or equipment?
What equipment I will advise using:
· Fixed collar and/or well-fitting non-tightening harness (see equipment policy).
· Fixed lead (no flexi or extendable leads).
· Lots of tasty treats in pea sized portions.
· Any of your dog’s well-loved/most valuable toys.
· Sense of humour!
These methods consider and try to meet all your dog’s needs. I chose to train dogs using ethical, empathic and welfare friendly dog training practices not only because they are effective but also because they lead to relaxed and happy dogs. I believe in reward-based training and working in harmony with your dog’s emotional, physical and mental state.
Our Ethos
We believe in ethical, empathic and welfare friendly dog training practices. We believe in reward based training and working with your dogs emotional, physical and mental state; we will ask you to use treats, toys and other rewards to train your dog.
We believe in empowering both human and animal to help them achieve their goals. We do not tolerate any form of harsh treatment towards your dog (or other humans). Please see our Equipment Policy below.
Lucy Partridge is a Accredited Full member of the Professional Association for Canine Trainers and abides by their code of conduct (available upon request).
What to bring to training sessions
Fixed collar and/or well fitting non-tightening harness (see equipment policy below).
Harness must be worn for recall classes
Fixed lead (no flexi or extendable leads)
Lots of tasty treats in pea sized portions (bring 3x what you think you’ll need). Think cooked chicken, sausage, wet treats, cheese.
Treat pouch (optional but very useful)
Outdoor appropriate clothing and footwear (if working outside)
Poo bags
Blanket/towel/ small bed for your dog
Any well loved/ valuable toys
Sense of humour!
Equipment and Code of Conduct
We have an equipment policy and contract that we require all clients to read and sign prior to coming to our classes, courses or 1-2-1s.
The use of the following articles and methods/techniques is strictly prohibited by Pawsitive Regard Dog Training and PACT:
Prong or spike collars
Hanging collars
Check /choke chains or half-check/choke chains
Electric shock, or high frequency sound or buzzing devices which apply an aversive stimulus such as pain or startle.
Spray collars of any kind, whether remote-controlled, automatic, and citronella or water-based or other.
Tightening harnesses, i.e. harnesses that tighten around the chest or abdomen when a dog pulls.
Cloth or mesh muzzle, or any muzzle that restricts breathing and/or panting (only safe basket muzzles should be used when necessary)
Any other device, training aid or piece of equipment the Pawsitive Regard or PACT deems inappropriate.
Pet Corrector, Dog Stop or similar devices (sonic devices which release pressurised air, citronella or other).
Anti-bark collars of any type.
Training discs, or any similar training item designed to startle and interrupt.
Any type of water or liquid spray, e.g. citronella.
Any commercial or home-made device emitting a loud noise e.g. rattle cans
or bottles containing stones.
The throwing of keys, chains, sticks, or any other item.
Strong olfactory repellent substances, e.g. smelling salts, bite back, chilli (or other capsaicin containing substance), pepper, lemon, etc.
The use of the following methods is strictly prohibited in class or on a one-to-one basis:
Shouting, growling, or making a confrontational noise, towards a dog(s).
Pinching of ears, feet, toes or any other part of a dog’s body.
Hitting, prodding, jabbing a dog.
Biting a dog.
Pinning a dog down in an ‘alpha roll’.
Punitive physical contact of any kind, as well as intimidation or coercion or any action that causes fear.
Any aversive or punitive manhandling causing discomfort, distress and/or pain.
If any of these methods or pieces of equipment as seen to be used in our classes or on a 1-2-1 basis, we will ask you to stop and/or remove the equipment. If this is not adhered to we will ask you to leave the class or one- to-one training session.