Kim Wegel, CDBC, CBCC-KA
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Fear-Free Certified Trainer

PHILOSOPHY.

No force, no fear, no intimidation, no domination.

That pretty much sums it up.
I believe that at their core, all dogs and humans are good. That people want to do what is ethical and right, and that they want to treat their dogs with trust, dignity, and respect. Unfortunately, a lot of what we see in the mainstream media about dog training is geared toward making owners think that they have to force, coerce, or intimidate (aka “dominate”) their dogs in order to manage their dog’s behavior and establish themselves as the “pack leader.”
I don’t think so, and neither does modern behavioral science.
Time and again, aversive-style training has been shown to have detrimental effects on dogs’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being. What’s more: science has also proven that these methods are not necessary, and, in fact, inhibit the learning process, which can be better facilitated by creating an environment where dogs feel supported by their humans.
As an obedience trainer and a behavior consultant, I believe that we should set up constructive learning opportunities for our dogs that mimic those we would want for ourselves. Think about the way in which you would like to be treated when learning a new skill, and ask yourself critically: is that how I’m working with my dog? It should be!
Dogs learn best when their humans become their teammates and advocates. When humans strive to understand their dogs’ individual personalities: what they love, what they hate, what excites them, and what scares them. It is my distinct pleasure to help dog-human teams not only perform to the highest standard, but live happy and harmonious lives together.