Our Philosophy

LEARN ABOUT OUR DOG TRAINER IN EAGLE AND MERIDIAN, ID, SERVING THE GREATER BOISE AREA.

We firmly believe that dogs need opposite cues to understand and ingrain the behaviors we want, as learning is optimized. Positive reinforcement is wonderful and we intend to infuse as much positive reinforcement into our training, However, do you know night without experiencing day? Do you know what is pleasant without experiencing some discomfort? Do you know good without experiencing something bad? One has meaning because of the other. It is this same training principle that we infuse into all our training as they are opposite cues that reinforce one another. If you were to just focus on positive reinforcement you will not teach your dog what you don't want it to do. It makes the learning process more effective and expedient. Our training philosophy is based on having the dog experience both cues so that learning is ingrained. We do this on an intentional, preemptive, and proactive basis. We are not reactive, angry, frustrated, or cruel.

We believe in a calm assertive approach to training.

Dogs absolutely tune into energies and respond differently to different handlers, which is why In-Home training is the most optimal model. We want to help make dog lovers dog leaders first. One of the biggest mistakes dog owners make is assuming their love language is human affection. The dog is a different species and it is our love language and feels good to us. The dog's love language is trust, respect, and loyalty. It is this lens that we want to engage our dogs firstly with. As a result, we will have not only obedient but well-adjusted dogs. It is okay to say no to your dog. We believe in domesticating dogs so that you have a human dominated home. The order in engaging dogs is the proper exercise for the breed, lots of structure and use of rules, and then affection and love. This order allows us to have manageability. The process of domesticating, or training begins with owning everything and making the dog's world SMALLER not BIGGER. When we play with the dog and work it into a frenzy, while trying to love the dog first, you will not be able to manage when he or she gets out of control during playtime. They become unregulated like out in the wild. Instead, this order allows us to play and then shut it down when the dog demonstrates some progress and understanding of the rules that we help you lay out in your home. It makes for a well-behaved dog.

"Positive reinforcement" trainers will tell you that saying no destroys the trust and ruins your relationship with your dog.

This is absolutely false!

In fact, it's the opposite. It conveys to the dog you mean what you say just as the mother alpha would do and begins the journey towards respect. Positive reinforcement training only teaches your dog what you want it to do and uses an abundance of treats to the point of over treating and defeating the purpose it is designed to do; to get your dog to perform. This approach teaches appeasement mostly. Positive works but it has no real staying power. Our dog training methodology at Save the Mailmen In Home Dog Training & Pet Sitting is one that is based on respect. Respect Training is a counter-balanced philosophy of dog training. " Counter-Balanced Dog Training" means both positive and negative redirection (simple as an assertive no and mild leash correction) for one's behaviors. Your dog's respect is key in their training success. Be realistic and fair with your dog. Show him positive and negative responses so he can make an informed choice. By showing your dog both what you want him to do and not want him to do reinforces and ingrains real learning, as they are opposite cues that reinforce one another. When you become the arbiter of your dog's behaviors - the one who gets to say yea or nay about what he's allowed to do - your dog feels respectful toward you. And once your dog respects you, he will listen to you. He will pay attention to you. He will do whatever you ask, and stop any misbehavior upon a single word or redirection from you.

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