Glad you asked. Reinforcement is anything that strengthens a behaviour. For example, if you work hard on a project and your boss gives you a bonus – it motivates you to continue to work hard. The bonus is reinforcing your hard work. Since we are adding something (bonus) to reinforce the behaviour (hard work) we are using “positive (+)” reinforcement.

LIMA is an acronym for Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive Effective Behaviour Intervention. It sets a guideline and code of conduct for pet professionals. LIMA seeks to prevent animal abuse and does not support the use of punishment instead of other effective humane techniques. For more information click here.

Tools are meant to aid in training. They do not fix a problem. We do use a wide range of tools depending on the skills we are working on.

WE DO NOT USE: 

• Prong Collars
• Slip Leashes or Choke Collars
• E-collars, Bark Collars, Citronella collars

Why? Because these tools are used to train dogs by applying discomfort to the dogs’ body. This suppresses the behaviour but does not change the emotion behind it – fear/anixety.