At the end of the day, it’s about the dogs

So why do so many people feel the need to jump on things like social media and spread negativity about dog training? So the big debate is Dog training positive vs negative reinforcement. Few industries have as much opinionated, keyboard loving, caustic, uneducated opinions being thrown around as the dog training industry seems to have. Because regardless of what you believe to be right, what style you find works for your dog or what training method you enjoy following. It is my underlying mission to help people make informed decisions and open their eyes to the animal they have living in their house. We need to be advocating for dogs as animals – not humanized accessories to your life.

Because, one size does not fit all, and there is always something new to learn.

So it is important to remember that every dog is different, their background is different, their living situation is different, and the owner at the other end of the lead is different. There isn’t a single approach that is going to fit perfectly into your dog’s mould.

That’s why it’s important to have an open mind and a willingness to collaborate together. Because, the collaboration will get us and our dogs a heck of a lot further in this ever-growing, changing, and challenging society. One method may be preferred over another for a number of reasons.

You must understand there are more reasons that the same method can fall below the other when faced with different circumstances… So what ends up happening is some people will simply favour one method over another. Usually, this is due to fear, ignorance, or simply being influenced by friends or family. Or worse a closed-minded “professional trainer” It is about the extremely troubled dogs that enter our training facility or any other trainer facility. The goal is to have that same dog leaving happy, confident, and balanced. Regardless of the approach that was needed to get it to that endpoint.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the dogs.

So if you are getting great results and the dog is happy then this should be all we need. Because regardless of what style you follow, what tools you do or don’t support, and what philosophy you subscribe to. It’s all subjective, all correct, and it all offers something to take away and learn from. So it’s not about what’s right and wrong, what’s the correct way or incorrect way. You cannot force a living, breathing animal alongside human expectations to fit into one specific mould. You might think you know everything and are very confident in that, I’m telling you are wrong. Let’s work on lifting each other up, let’s create positivity amongst the humans, and learn from one another.

At the end of the day, we are all here for the same reason and that is our dogs. So rather than spreading hate, ask meaningful questions about dog training positive vs negative reinforcement Offer constructive thoughts and experiences, listen, and be open to learning something new or potentially.

Want to hear more from Ryan? Tune in to the Facebook live stream we go Live at 7.30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, real-time, real talk, answering questions directly from you.

If you have any questions about our dog daycare services or would like to book a place for your pet, please get in touch with us at 027 911 4115. or simply fill in an enquiry form.