Dominance theory refuted

"The idea that humans should exercise physical control over animals first became known to the general public in the 1970s. The book" How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend "was written by the monks of New Skete, who also recommended the" Alpha Role " to cope with undesirable behavior was instrumental in this. The "alpha role" is based on observations of the behavior of captive wolves during the 1960s. The wolves were kept in enclosures that were far too small and the composition of the groups would never be in These poor living conditions resulted in these wolves exhibiting unnaturally frequent and intense aggressive behavior and one wolf “subjugating the other.” However, current scientific research shows that the behaviors described above are not typical for wolves if they can live in the wild (Mech, 1999) Despite this new knowledge and fact That wolf and dog behavior are very different, the dominance theory became known to the general public and is unfortunately still touted as a "training method" for family dogs. " (Source: Happy-Fellow® Coaching & Consulting)

 

It should also be remembered that dogs are not wolves. So we should do it differently here when training with dogs.

 

Learning theory proven

Our training methods are therefore based on scientifically proven learning theory. This describes scientifically researched, biological learning processes in the brain and forms the basis for modern and species-appropriate dog training

 

Dogs learn through shortcuts. This has to be understood and used in training.⁠ The learning theory is not only transferable to dogs, but also to most other animal species and also to humans. ⁠If we understand how our dogs learn, we can teach them everything we want from them in everyday life and beyond.

 

Positive reinforcement

We teach our course participants a positive way of working with the dog. The dog is motivated to work together and rewarded for desirable behavior. The dog should get to know the dog owner as a competent partner. We distance ourselves from any form of violence in dog training, for example to harass the dog with body language or to intimidate it mentally and physically, because we have acquired more diplomatic training methods and have continued to educate ourselves in this area.

 

Avoid training mistakes

Everything that we positively reinforce is shown more often. We explain the most common training mistakes in positive reinforcement and give you techniques that make the dog more relaxed.

 

Signal control

Away from curls to signal control. We implement this goal quickly and explain to you what is important.

 

Forms of reward

Our dogs should be able to perceive us as competent leaders with specialist knowledge and the most modern training methods. We explain in-depth all the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of rewards and work with them:

 

• Food rewards

• Game / toy

• External reward (everything that the dog likes and is okay with us humans, e.g. sniffing)

• Species-appropriate utilization

• Reinforcement through marker replacement

 

Aids

If you already know a little about dog training, these tools and techniques will look familiar to you. If not, we will explain it to you step by step at your own pace using practical examples that you can then use for everyday life with your four-legged friend:

 

• Conditioning and counter conditioning

• Impulse control exercises

• Introduce signal control

• Marker signals and non-reward markers

• Clicker training

• Targets

 

Diplomacy and forward-looking human-dog training round off the methodology.
Motivate yourself and your four-legged friend to get the best out of you as a team with our expert guidance.

 

We look forward to your course registration and are at your side with words and deeds. Together to success! Fair, individually adapted and lovingly implemented.

 

Our motto

Leading your dog well has nothing to do with strength, but with knowledge and brains.

 

All benefits at a glance:

• Different course locations make your dog strong for everyday life & create stimuli instead of "space heroes"

• Positive reinforcement based on the latest scientific knowledge

• Broad specialist knowledge of various dog topics (including nutrition, health, body language)

• Predictive dog owner training

• Instead of penalties for the dog

• Various locations in and around Zurich

• Trained & well socialized trainer dogs demonstrate the exercises