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Paws With Potential! Dog Training
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Paws with Potential
Our Training Philosophy
In the dog training world, there are many labels that people use to describe themselves and their training philosophy. However, within those labels, there is a degree of inconsistency. For example, "positive reinforcement" trainers almost certainly use negative punishment in the training as well, while I also know "reward based" trainers who use correction chains in the training.
Personally, I started my dog training journey in what is called 'traditional training' that used mostly positive punishment (especially check chains) when training any and all dogs. This style of training left me disheartened. I am proud to say that, these days, I have a much broader knowledge base I use in modifying dog behaviour.
My preference is to use positive reinforcement and negative punishment in the majority of situations. I find negative punishment, such as putting dogs in 'time outs', or leaving the room for mouthing behaviour, very efficient, and is something I advocate to my clients.Not only can I solve behavioural problems using positive reinforcement and negative punishment, I have zero to no risk of the training techniques I use causing aversive effects. It's important to acknowledge that some training tools, such as harnesses and crates, can be aversive to dogs, so counter conditioning needs to occur.
In general, I do not recommend that pet owners use positive punishment techniques. Many times, I see owners set their dogs up to fail, then apply punishment. Sometimes, I see owners waiting for their dog to 'make a mistake', to then deliver a correction. In both of these scenarios, many opportunities for reward have been missed. When the owner is waiting for the dog to 'fail' and then correct them, there has been several opportunities for reward that have been wasted.
Owners soon fall into a habit of issuing punishments, because they seem to be the easy solution. It takes work to proactively manage a problem, to prevent it occurring,... show more and reward alternative behaviours.
It takes work to consistently reward and change behaviour. If dog owners are not able to master consistent rewards then any attempt they make in issuing punishments is likely to be just as inconsistent, and consequently unfair and unethical.
One of my chief concerns regarding punishment based techniques is that it taints our view of our canine friends. Many people punish dogs for being stubborn or wilful. However, in reality, many dogs are confused or scared. Dogs need our help to motivate them into performing behaviours. When dogs are engaging in behaviours solely to avoid punishments, then there is something of the human-dog relationship that is tarnished and unfulfilling.
A word on dominance...
The term 'dominance' has historically been used to describe the interactions of a wolf pack. Wolf packs were described as having an alpha, who is dominant over all members of the pack. However, over time, researchers realised that most wolf packs consisted of family groups - a mum, a dad, and several pups of different ages (some adult). While the parents of the group often took on an 'alpha' role, and acted in a dominate way to the children, describing them as 'parents' would be more accurate. Wolf packs are basically family units with a mum and dad in charge!
But, before our understanding of wolf packs was expanded, the notion of 'alpha' had already started to be applied to dogs. Not only is this flawed as dogs are, clearly, not wolves, but it came with the suggestion that people should take the role as 'alpha' - or that, somehow, dog owners should become quasi-wolves.
As you can already tell, the notion of 'dominance' has debatable relevance when it comes to dogs and dog training.
What is dominance?
The term 'dominance' is often misused in dog training. Often, owners and some dog trainers describe aggression and particular behaviours as 'dominant'. Indeed, some pet owners simply describe their dog's behaviour as 'being dominant', which leaves many trainers in the blank on what the behaviour actually looks like.
Dominance, definition wise, is actually related to controlling resources. So, if a dog has a bone, and maintains possession of that bone by growling and other displays, the dog is dominant when it comes to bones over potential threats to their bone. It's important to note the dog is only dominant in that particular scenario - the dog might not be dominant when it comes to tennis balls or their owner.
Generally, Paws with Potential does not use the term 'dominance' and 'dominant' as I feel it has been tainted by the practices of traditional and punishment based trainers. Most 'dominance' can instead be described by using the term 'resource guarding', and so that's what I do. Furthermore, our training is more proactive and simple - we train for what we do want.
Key points on dominance…
*Dominance doesn't motivate behaviour. Dogs perform behaviours based upon their reward and punishment history. (That is, dogs do things because they find some benefit in doing them, and they cease to do things that they think are too costly (painful, scary, unpleasant).)
*Dominance is not a personality trait.
*It is okay to have a dog jump on your lap, sleep in your bed, or go through the doorway first. It's up to you to decide what you want from your dog in your household and set the rules. If you don't want your dog to do these things, that's fine, too - just train them for what you'd like them to do instead.
In summary: our training methods…
Our primary interest is in using positive reinforcement, so praising or rewarding dogs when they perform behaviours right, including partaking in behaviours that we want them to do.
We use negative punishment, taking away something good, for training behaviour too - particularly for undesirable behaviour.
Less often, but still at times, we use negative reinforcement, most significantly when partaking in BAT like protocols.
Finally, we rarely, but occasionally, use positive punishment ,giving something to the dog – as a last choice. If we use positive punishments, they are mild and set up to minimise fallout and maximise success.
Eg: giving a verbal ‘Yelp’ for a puppy biting, or using a ‘No Reward Mark’)
Happy Training!
Gayle Button
Paws With Potential!
Certified by National Dog Trainers Federation, Australia show more
Our Training Philosophy
In the dog training world, there are many labels that people use to describe themselves and their training philosophy. However, within those labels, there is a degree of inconsistency. For example, "positive reinforcement" trainers almost certainly use negative punishment in the training as well, while I also know "reward based" trainers who use correction chains in the training.
Personally, I started my dog training journey in what is called 'traditional training' that used mostly positive punishment (especially check chains) when training any and all dogs. This style of training left me disheartened. I am proud to say that, these days, I have a much broader knowledge base I use in modifying dog behaviour.
My preference is to use positive reinforcement and negative punishment in the majority of situations. I find negative punishment, such as putting dogs in 'time outs', or leaving the room for mouthing behaviour, very efficient, and is something I advocate to my clients.Not only can I solve behavioural problems using positive reinforcement and negative punishment, I have zero to no risk of the training techniques I use causing aversive effects. It's important to acknowledge that some training tools, such as harnesses and crates, can be aversive to dogs, so counter conditioning needs to occur.
In general, I do not recommend that pet owners use positive punishment techniques. Many times, I see owners set their dogs up to fail, then apply punishment. Sometimes, I see owners waiting for their dog to 'make a mistake', to then deliver a correction. In both of these scenarios, many opportunities for reward have been missed. When the owner is waiting for the dog to 'fail' and then correct them, there has been several opportunities for reward that have been wasted.
Owners soon fall into a habit of issuing punishments, because they seem to be the easy solution. It takes work to proactively manage a problem, to prevent it occurring,... show more and reward alternative behaviours.
It takes work to consistently reward and change behaviour. If dog owners are not able to master consistent rewards then any attempt they make in issuing punishments is likely to be just as inconsistent, and consequently unfair and unethical.
One of my chief concerns regarding punishment based techniques is that it taints our view of our canine friends. Many people punish dogs for being stubborn or wilful. However, in reality, many dogs are confused or scared. Dogs need our help to motivate them into performing behaviours. When dogs are engaging in behaviours solely to avoid punishments, then there is something of the human-dog relationship that is tarnished and unfulfilling.
A word on dominance...
The term 'dominance' has historically been used to describe the interactions of a wolf pack. Wolf packs were described as having an alpha, who is dominant over all members of the pack. However, over time, researchers realised that most wolf packs consisted of family groups - a mum, a dad, and several pups of different ages (some adult). While the parents of the group often took on an 'alpha' role, and acted in a dominate way to the children, describing them as 'parents' would be more accurate. Wolf packs are basically family units with a mum and dad in charge!
But, before our understanding of wolf packs was expanded, the notion of 'alpha' had already started to be applied to dogs. Not only is this flawed as dogs are, clearly, not wolves, but it came with the suggestion that people should take the role as 'alpha' - or that, somehow, dog owners should become quasi-wolves.
As you can already tell, the notion of 'dominance' has debatable relevance when it comes to dogs and dog training.
What is dominance?
The term 'dominance' is often misused in dog training. Often, owners and some dog trainers describe aggression and particular behaviours as 'dominant'. Indeed, some pet owners simply describe their dog's behaviour as 'being dominant', which leaves many trainers in the blank on what the behaviour actually looks like.
Dominance, definition wise, is actually related to controlling resources. So, if a dog has a bone, and maintains possession of that bone by growling and other displays, the dog is dominant when it comes to bones over potential threats to their bone. It's important to note the dog is only dominant in that particular scenario - the dog might not be dominant when it comes to tennis balls or their owner.
Generally, Paws with Potential does not use the term 'dominance' and 'dominant' as I feel it has been tainted by the practices of traditional and punishment based trainers. Most 'dominance' can instead be described by using the term 'resource guarding', and so that's what I do. Furthermore, our training is more proactive and simple - we train for what we do want.
Key points on dominance…
*Dominance doesn't motivate behaviour. Dogs perform behaviours based upon their reward and punishment history. (That is, dogs do things because they find some benefit in doing them, and they cease to do things that they think are too costly (painful, scary, unpleasant).)
*Dominance is not a personality trait.
*It is okay to have a dog jump on your lap, sleep in your bed, or go through the doorway first. It's up to you to decide what you want from your dog in your household and set the rules. If you don't want your dog to do these things, that's fine, too - just train them for what you'd like them to do instead.
In summary: our training methods…
Our primary interest is in using positive reinforcement, so praising or rewarding dogs when they perform behaviours right, including partaking in behaviours that we want them to do.
We use negative punishment, taking away something good, for training behaviour too - particularly for undesirable behaviour.
Less often, but still at times, we use negative reinforcement, most significantly when partaking in BAT like protocols.
Finally, we rarely, but occasionally, use positive punishment ,giving something to the dog – as a last choice. If we use positive punishments, they are mild and set up to minimise fallout and maximise success.
Eg: giving a verbal ‘Yelp’ for a puppy biting, or using a ‘No Reward Mark’)
Happy Training!
Gayle Button
Paws With Potential!
Certified by National Dog Trainers Federation, Australia show more
3 recommendations and reviews from 3 people
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Referral from
June 26, 2017
Ronnie G. asked:WTB - Dog trainer who comes to homes $1,234 - Port Victoria, South Australia Looking for a dog trainer who will attend at the property, does anybody know of anyone out there?John S. replied:We had Gayle from Maitland visit us https://www.facebook.com/pawswithpotential/
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Referral from
May 29, 2015
Lisa P. asked:Is there anyone on the Yorke peninsula that does one on one dog training as my dog doesn't like other dogs?Gayle B. replied:Hi everyone! Thank you for the recommendations and tags, much appreciated! Lisa, this is my page, contact details are 0408 424 042 email: pawswithpotential@ymail.com. https://www.facebook.com/pawswithpotential?ref=hl.
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Referral from
April 17, 2015
Morgan H. asked:Sheep dog training!! Looking for recommendations for someone who can train our nearly 1 year old collie! Has come from a working background!Brenda K. replied:Try GAYLE Button phone number 0408424041 the very best she trained two of my very unruly dogs can't go wrong with her she has reasonable rates is kind gentle and goes about handling your animals with love... You'll soon have a brilliant dog on your hands ......ps she is in Maitland just try watching a video of what she has trained her dog Jake to do lol he is so very clever....
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