Have confidence finding the right training for your dog.
The summer is a popular time to welcome a dog into your family. Many of you will be, so it follows that we get lots of questions from owners about dog training techniques at this time. We’ve responded here with a summary of dog training methods and philosophies… from wolves to walks.
It’s something from us at Poppets to you, your family and your dog (I know! They’re included in your family too).
So, read on to find out more. Some of it may surprise or even concern you, but this way you’ll be ready to make the right choice for you and your dog.
Let’s take a walk…
Dog training methods: When you know, you know
Do the research and you can find the right dog trainer for you – there are many wonderful ones around. But dog training is an unregulated profession, meaning anyone can offer the service.
Look closely and you’ll see the variation in quality is big. There’s also variation in the philosophy and methods used. And, there’s unfortunately variation in the potential impact on your dog… both positive and negative.
You might still be at the stage of choosing your pet. If that’s you, take a look our blog post, ‘Choosing the right dog breed for you and your family.’ Then circle back here and find out about dog training.
It’s your decision, so do make sure you’re clear
You can see how all this makes your decision as an owner super important. At Poppets Dog Training, we know this. Beyond just providing research-led training ourselves, we share all the information you need to make the right call your options.
Dogs and their behaviour: Why do they do what they do?
That’s quite a bit of do-do (pun intended).
In the past, owners thought our dogs reflected the behaviour we see in wolves, which then shaped how they were trained. The behaviour of wolves is based around the idea of ‘dominate or be dominated,’ where a leader or ‘alpha’ wolf asserts power and subdues others… mainly through fear or threat.
This is still viewed by some dog trainers as the basis for training today. And even if it isn’t, the legacy still shapes many training methods.
What do you think about this? Does that sound like the dog you know?
I know… I don’t recognise it either and neither does the research! Which makes the need for education and research-led practice in dog training so strong.
Let’s be clear. Pets and domesticated dogs don’t think or behave like this; they instinctively form mutually beneficial groups, not ones with an ‘alpha.’ You’ll find it interesting to know this is seen very clearly in un-housed or street dogs… the ones you might see if you’ve taken a holiday abroad. These dogs, despite their need for survival, simply don’t exert power over others through fear and threat. They value connection above anything else.
I imagine you can already see how these different ideas shape training methods.
Dog training methods: Chalk, cheese and something in the middle
It’s important for you to know what methods your dog trainer uses, how much they’ve researched dog training or dog behaviour, and whether they’re affiliated to organisations that promote and support best practice (see Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) for starters).
How your dog is treated and trained will massively impact their well-being, the effectiveness of the work and how happy they are.
Remember, a happy dog makes a happy home. Keep this in mind as we consider different training methods and philosophies:
1. Disciplinarian approach
This approach is based on the (incorrect) idea that pet dogs think like wolves. By applying this to practice, dog trainers see force, fear, aversion and punishment as the way of controlling unwanted behaviours. Techniques will include:
Hitting, kicking, pinching, biting (yes, biting!)
Strangling, choke chains and slip leads
Prong collars
Electric collars (which are still not banned in the UK!)
Even if a trainer is not directly linking these techniques to dated thinking on dog behaviour, they’re adopting a ‘dominate’ approach, where a dog ‘will do’ what the trainer deems they should.
Doesn’t sit quite right does it?
2. Force-free approach
Force-free training puts the question ‘why?’ at the heart of everything a trainer does.
Why is a dog displaying an unwanted behaviour like barking at another dog?
Are they afraid, excited or frustrated?
You can then respond to what research tells us about dog behaviour. Dogs show feelings, hold values and build meaningful relationships; force-free trainers have absolute clarity on this. They’re not passive, but active participants in building connection, seeking ways to show their love for their human family through loyalty and affection. They respond to our emotion and are happiest when we are too.
A dog is our best friend for part of our life, but we are their best friend for the whole of theirs. It follows that safety, consistency and rewards are the tools to harness these instincts and guide their natural enthusiasm.
3. Hybrid approach
Some trainers use a hybrid model or what might be called a ‘balanced’ approach. There will be rewards, but also aversive methods involving punishment, like those above.
We tend to consider ‘balance’ a good thing in life, but I would ask these questions…
Do trainers who incorporate these methods know why they use them?
Have they researched them?
Are they simply used because they are known… and can produce compliance?
And most importantly. What do you think is best for your dog?
Poppets Dog Training uses solely force-free training. It why we’re so successful and why we’re such a popular choice across Nuneaton and Warwickshire. Read on to find out why we won’t compromise on this.
Problems with disciplinarian, aversive and force-based dog training
At Poppets, we know compliance is not the same as behaviour change. Research shows, forcing compliance doesn’t make for a happy pet whose needs are met and motivations understood. Dogs are naturally energetic and enthusiastic, which is completely normal and right. Subduing and squashing this won’t make for a happy pet.
There are two obvious problems you run into later down the line:
Wellbeing of your dog can be damaged and there are strong ethical arguments against it. Safety, not fear, is how we look after animals who have feelings and values.
Emotions may be stored up and get redirected into reactive or unpredictable behaviour, especially in situations where your dog feels threatened or not safe.
So, do we meet in the middle with a hybrid approach?
Poppets are convinced the research shows a complete force-free approach to training your dog is best. It’s best for the well-being of your dog… and it’s best for bringing out their natural instinct to connect and form a mutually beneficial bond with your family and those around them.
Poppets Dog Training: Force-free, reward-based and research-led
You can be confident in your dog trainer.
You can know you’re deciding on the best training for your dog.
And, if you’re confident in their methods and expertise, you can have peace of mind and excitement about seeing your dog grow, learn and develop with their trainer.
The power is in the decision you make. Now of course, there’s an investment of time, energy and money. But you know that… and you’re seeking out resources like this to guide you.
Your reward: Three top tips for finding out about a dog trainer’s methods
We are reward-based here at Poppets, so here you go.
As you choose a dog trainer, check whether you have peace of mind about each of these:
1. Transparency (no secrets): Ensure you can see and experience a session, ask questions and feel part of the journey in deciding ‘what desired behaviour looks like for you all.’
2. Clear plan: The best trainers are flexible and respond to the needs of your dog, but they will confidently share a direction of travel with you and will provide updates.
3. Exploring the ‘why’: It’s behaviour change, not just compliance that matters. Research-led trainers focus on the reason behind behaviours. Fear or frustration are common issues, so your trainer should be speaking lots about safety and consistency.
Think back to your favourite teacher at school. Why did they get the best out of you? Why did you like them? Why did you want to please them?
My bet is, ‘they got you…’ or something similar.
It’s the same with dogs and it’s at the heart of what we do at Poppets. Take a look at our origin story to see how we learned to walk the walk with a rescue dog with a lot of ‘why’ to unpick.
And of course, we back up huge care with expertise. As well as my affiliation with the APDT and ABTC, I’m active in my professional development. I see this as essential, and my most recent training means I’ll be joining the register of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.
We’re not playing about with all this. It’s our mission to help you find the best dog training, letting you do the playing with a happy dog for years to come.
We’ll be posting again on this topic to give you even more insight into force-free training and the research behind best-practice methods. Keep an eye-out or check the blog page.
For more information on dog training, you can visit:
Do you have questions about Poppets Dog Training and what we're doing across Nuneaton and Warwickshire... or just need a bit of help?
Get in touch - I’d love to meet you and your four-legged friend, or help you with your decision.
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