Manners

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At the heart of our training is a commitment to clear communication, trust, and teamwork. We use science-backed, reward-based methods to teach dogs good manners that last a lifetime—without fear, force, or intimidation. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

🧠 Operant Conditioning: The Foundation

Operant conditioning is a learning theory that explains how dogs (and people!) learn from consequences. Simply put, behaviors that are rewarded are more likely to happen again.

• When your dog sits and you give a treat, they’re more likely to sit again.

• If jumping up no longer gets attention, your dog learns it’s not worth doing.

We use this principle to teach desired behaviors and help dogs choose better alternatives to problem ones.

🎯 Positive Reinforcement: Reward What You Like

Positive reinforcement means adding something the dog likes (like food, play, or praise) to increase the chances of a behavior happening again. It’s how we teach everything from polite greetings to loose-leash walking and reliable recalls.

This approach not only creates results—it builds trust and enthusiasm for learning.

🔄 Shaping: Teaching Step-by-Step

Shaping is a method where we reward small steps toward the final behavior. Instead of waiting for your dog to magically offer a perfect “stay,” we reward them for staying still for a second… then two… then five… gradually building the full behavior.

It’s a powerful way to teach complex or precise manners while encouraging problem-solving and confidence in your dog.

The Result? A dog who wants to listen, understands what’s expected, and feels good about doing it. Manners aren’t just about obedience—they’re about communication, connection, and capability.