My Training Philosophy

I believe in a balanced, thoughtful approach to dog training. That means I use a lot of positive reinforcement to teach new behaviours — but I also use fair corrections when the timing and context are right.

My rule is always Positive First. I teach new skills using rewards and reinforcement, especially during the early learning stages. Dogs learn faster and more confidently when they’re having fun and feel safe.

That said, like children, dogs also need boundaries and clear consequences. Without them, you’ll often see your dog trying unwanted behaviours the moment you’re not around — simply because there’s never been a reason not to.

You can train using only positive reinforcement, but it usually takes much longer and doesn’t address everything — especially when it comes to dangerous or persistent behaviours.

It’s critical that corrections are done properly. I never use physical punishment. Hitting, kicking, or scaring dogs has nothing to do with real dog training, and I strongly disapprove of it.

The real skill lies in choosing the right consequence for that individual dog. What works for one might mean nothing to another. For example, one dog may respond well to a light leash interruption — while another might completely ignore it. In that case, we need to try a different approach.

If a correction doesn’t work, the answer is never to do it harder or longer — it’s to find something more meaningful and appropriate for that dog.

Here are some of the corrections I may use in training:

• Withholding something your dog wants (negative punishment)

• Verbal markers or tone changes

• Leash pressure or leash guidance (with slip leads)

• Body blocking or spatial pressure

• Gentle startle interrupters like a rattle tin or squirt of water (in rare cases)

Every training plan is customised to your dog’s needs and temperament. I predominantly use slip leads for clarity and control in training.

I generally only use e-collars for recall.