Why Choose Pawsitive Futures?

 

Did you just get a puppy? Do you have a dog? Did you just rescue a new companion and you do not know much about him/her? But, you do know that you need some help with training. Well, now that you have found Pawsitive Futures you are in good hands! We love dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. If you have them, we can train them!

 

There is a lot of information in books, on the internet, and on television telling you what you should and shouldn't do. How do you decide what is right? Rest assured, with Pawsitive Futures you don't need to! We've done the work for you by learning the best training methods and by staying up to date on new developments. Well, let us show you what we know and what works! Chelsea is an educated and professionally certified trainer who stays up to date on the most recent training methods and ideas. So, with Pawsitive Futures, you can relax knowing you're getting the best dog training in Atlanta.

 

But, what good are the certifications if the training doesn't work? Pawsitive Futures' methods are fast and effective. You will soon have an obedient and well-behaved dog and in the process, you'll have fun too!

 

 

 

 

 

Why Choose Positive Reward-Based Training? 

The technical explanation of why positive reward-based training, specifically clicker training works!

 

The type of training we use works. The theory of operant conditioning has been studied since the early 1900s by the psychologist B.F. Skinner. Operant conditioning can be broken down into four quadrants: negative punishment, positive punishment, negative reinforcement, and positive reinforcement. Our training focuses on one quadrant of operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, which is adding something to increase the likelihood of a behavior happening. For example, a dog sitting and receiving a click and treat. Or a person receiving a paycheck for going to work. Positive reinforcement is favored over the other methods because it is humane to our beloved family members and pets, it clearly teaches the learner what is expected, and it gets desirable results fast.

 

The methods of positive reinforcement have been used on animals of all kinds including dolphins, lions, hyenas, whales, and of course dogs. These methods allow animals to think for themselves and learn to make the right choices. These choices that they make are purposeful and habitual. This means that the dogs are aware of what they are doing while learning, which results in behaviors that last a long time. The dogs become confident because they have control over the consequences (a reward for doing the right thing) and enthusiastic because they enjoy the consequence.

 

We use a clicker during training because it distinctly tells the dog EXACTLY which of their behaviors earned them the reward. Why use a clicker instead of saying "good dog"? Well, the click is more precise, it is shorter than verbal praise, and it is only used during training so it means exactly one thing. The sound of the click tells the dog that what he/she was doing when he/she heard the click is what we wanted and a reward is on its way. So, what does this all mean? It means that the behavior is learned quickly because it makes more sense to the dog!

 

Some people are worried that if they use treats or food rewards to teach their dog then they will always have to use food to get the behaviors. But that is not the case! Clicker training uses treats as a high-value reward to help your dog enjoy training and quickly learn the correct behavior. Once the behavior is learned and they reliably offer the behavior in various locations and situations, we can change the reward to a pet, toy, or verbal praise, which thanks them for doing what we ask them to.

 

We can take any behavior, no matter how big or small, put it on cue, and get it in any location with any amount of distraction! Doesn't that sound nice? And do you want to know the BEST part? It is easy and fun for both you and your dog! Let's get started!