Training Philosophy
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Maggi’s approach is always upbeat. Focusing on clear communication and leadership while taking into account the diversities of each family and the unique personality of their dog.
Behavioral issues such as chewing, jumping up on people, digging, and “selective hearing” are usually the result of mixed communication and/or misunderstanding between pet and owner. Maggi’s goal is to help dogs understand manners and behaviors appropriate to our crazy human world and teach people communication skills that their dogs can clearly understand. "Dogs, like people, tend to learn much quicker and generalize better if they are enjoying the process." |
Use brains not chains to teach your dog!
Punishment based training usually offers quick and very short-lived results versus using positive methods which will allow you to educate appropriate manners/behaviors that have lasting results.
Even dogs with more serious behavioral issues such as dog-dog or dog-human aggression can be educated using positive methods. Many dogs react out of fear and using forceful methods can many times turn a small issue into a big problem. By setting a clear and rewarding alternative to nasty behaviors our dogs learn to give up old habits or create more comfort and confidence in tough situations.
What Is Clicker Training?
Clicker training is an exciting method of communicating and training animals. While its been used for many years in zoo settings, in the military, and with marine mammals as an efficient, effective, useful tool for our family dogs as well.
How Does It Work? Clicker training uses a distinct marker signal to precisely capture the behavior the trainer/owner desires, and promises the animal that a worthwhile reward will soon follow. Our dogs begin to "work" for the sound of the click or marker. This allows us to use food as a reward and not a mandatory lure. That means there is more "distance" from the food.
What that looks like: the trainer uses a metal and plastic noise device, the clicker,(or their voice) to “mark” the behavior while it occurs and follows it up with a reward. This motivates the dog to repeat the performance, while giving the dog a solid clue as to what action earned the reward. The rewards might be food, attention, playtime, or other types of praise—the key is that the dog learns to use their own actions to earn the bonus.
This type of training is easy to learn and is a powerful training tool. Plus, you don’t need special collars or forceful tools. Marker-based training gets the dog to use their brain, and a thinking dog is a learning dog! To learn more about clicker training check out our links.
Punishment based training usually offers quick and very short-lived results versus using positive methods which will allow you to educate appropriate manners/behaviors that have lasting results.
Even dogs with more serious behavioral issues such as dog-dog or dog-human aggression can be educated using positive methods. Many dogs react out of fear and using forceful methods can many times turn a small issue into a big problem. By setting a clear and rewarding alternative to nasty behaviors our dogs learn to give up old habits or create more comfort and confidence in tough situations.
What Is Clicker Training?
Clicker training is an exciting method of communicating and training animals. While its been used for many years in zoo settings, in the military, and with marine mammals as an efficient, effective, useful tool for our family dogs as well.
How Does It Work? Clicker training uses a distinct marker signal to precisely capture the behavior the trainer/owner desires, and promises the animal that a worthwhile reward will soon follow. Our dogs begin to "work" for the sound of the click or marker. This allows us to use food as a reward and not a mandatory lure. That means there is more "distance" from the food.
What that looks like: the trainer uses a metal and plastic noise device, the clicker,(or their voice) to “mark” the behavior while it occurs and follows it up with a reward. This motivates the dog to repeat the performance, while giving the dog a solid clue as to what action earned the reward. The rewards might be food, attention, playtime, or other types of praise—the key is that the dog learns to use their own actions to earn the bonus.
This type of training is easy to learn and is a powerful training tool. Plus, you don’t need special collars or forceful tools. Marker-based training gets the dog to use their brain, and a thinking dog is a learning dog! To learn more about clicker training check out our links.