I am a dog trainer and author, I frequently work for the german television and I do have one big vision: To show that you can train dogs without intimidation. Even dogs with massive problems can and should be trained through positive reinforcement. Imagine you search for trainings tips through youtube and type in for example “walking on loose leash” and the first 30 or so hits, are training tips which use positive reinforcement: This will be a big change. Use your brain: train!
I made a video clip, which you can watch here https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=frriXndvLfo&list=UUaLtukcyadNfsMl5bCHeGLQ (in the original german version) or here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upMizdWjmn4&list=UUaLtukcyadNfsMl5bCHeGLQ in the english version. My tip: watch the german version anyways, even if you don't understand, because my dog was so funny in that one! The dogs in the video, showing the unwanted behavior are trained. They show the behavior on cue, that was for gaining attention, so people will listen to the message that follows. In 2012 I launched with some other trainer a movement called „Trainieren statt dominieren“, which is for positive reinforcement using dog trainer. Until now, we do have 148 dog trainer listed in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg which obligate themselves to work absolutely force free. After making the video, I posted it on facebook. After just one day, it had 666 views and I received a lot of emails. Getting so much feedback of my colleagues, which are planning to show off their training, doing wonderful training clips and sharing their experiences and methods with interested dog owners, can make a big difference in future. Imagine you search for trainings tips through youtube and type in for example “walking on loose leash” and the first 30 or so hits, are training tips which use positive reinforcement: This will be a big change. Use your brain: train!
