How We Train Dogs at Training Dogs Online: A Client-Centered Approach

A Client-Centered Approach

At Training Dogs Online, we believe in tailoring training to the unique needs of every dog and their owner. Instead of adhering to a rigid, one-size-fits-all methodology, we focus on creating an environment where dogs can thrive and owners feel confident and empowered. Here’s a closer look at how we train dogs and support their humans.

Setting the Foundation: Healthy Dogs with Their Needs Met

Training starts with ensuring that your dog’s basic needs are fulfilled. Before diving into training, we ensure:

•Physical Health: We encourage owners to rule out any health issues that might affect their dog’s behavior, such as pain, illness, or dietary deficiencies.

•Mental Well-Being: Dogs need mental stimulation and enrichment to stay balanced and happy.

•Exercise Needs: A well-exercised dog is more likely to focus and succeed during training.

When a dog’s physical, mental, and emotional needs are met, they’re in the best position to learn.

Setting the Stage for Success

We help owners set up their environment to minimize distractions and make learning easier for their dog. This might include:

•Managing triggers (e.g., creating quiet spaces for reactive dogs).

•Using tools to help the dog succeed in the learning phase (e.g., leashes, barriers, or crates).

•Rewarding calm, attentive behavior to keep the dog focused and engaged.

A well-planned training environment ensures that both dog and owner feel confident and ready to work.

Building Food Motivation and Teaching Focus

With the stage set, the next step is to build food motivation and teach the dog to focus on their handler. These foundational skills are crucial for success in any training scenario.

•Food Motivation: We work to ensure that dogs are excited to work for food rewards, even if they initially seem uninterested. This might involve experimenting with different types of rewards, changing how the food is presented, or gradually building excitement around working for food.

•Focus and Attention: Teaching a dog to consistently focus on their handler is key to creating a strong foundation for learning. We use fun, engaging exercises to build this skill, ensuring the dog views their handler as the most rewarding part of their environment.

These steps create a strong base for introducing and reinforcing new behaviors.

Teaching New Behaviors with Food Rewards

We’re strong believers in using food-based rewards to teach and reinforce new behaviors. Food is a powerful motivator for most dogs, and we use it to:

•Reward offered behavior we want to see repeated (e.g., sitting calmly or making eye contact).

•Shape new behaviors step by step in a positive, engaging way.

Food-based rewards help build trust, enthusiasm, and clarity in the learning process.

Teaching Alternate Behaviors

Whenever possible, we teach dogs what to do instead of just focusing on what not to do. For example:

•If a dog jumps to greet people, we teach them to sit instead.

•If a dog barks at the doorbell, we might teach them to go to their bed when it rings.

By giving dogs an alternate behavior to replace the undesirable one, we reduce frustration and confusion while helping them succeed.

Preventing Rehearsal of Bad Behavior

A key part of our process is management—preventing dogs from rehearsing unwanted behaviors while they’re still learning. This might mean using tools like leashes, gates, or supervision to stop behaviors like:

•Counter-surfing.

•Pulling on the leash.

•Reacting to triggers.

The more a dog rehearses a behavior, the more ingrained it becomes. By preventing unwanted behaviors, we create space for the dog to learn new habits.

Ensuring Life Skills for Success

We focus on teaching dogs the skills they need to succeed in the real world. This includes:

•Practicing behaviors in different environments and levels of distraction.

•Gradually building duration, distance, and complexity in their training.

•Teaching practical skills like loose leash walking, recall, and calm behavior in public spaces.

Dogs are more likely to succeed when training is realistic and tailored to their daily lives.

Implementing Consequences

When necessary, we incorporate consequences to provide clear communication about boundaries. Consequences aren’t about punishment—they’re about teaching cause and effect. For example:

•A leash correction might redirect attention away from a distraction.

•Removing access to a toy or privilege can communicate that a certain behavior isn’t acceptable.

Consequences are used thoughtfully, always with the dog’s well-being and understanding in mind.

We’re not the dog training police—we’re dog trainers. Our priority is helping you and your dog succeed.

Using Every Tool on the Market Without Judgment

At Training Dogs Online, we pride ourselves on creating a judgment-free zone. We believe it’s our job to educate, not judge, and we never discriminate against a client for the tools they choose to use.

•Every Dog is Different: Just because my 5-pound Chihuahua doesn’t wear a prong collar doesn’t mean your 125-pound dog might not benefit from one. Every dog and situation is unique, and we approach training with that mindset.

•No Cherry-Picking Studies: As professional trainers, we don’t cherry-pick research to fit an agenda, nor do we dismiss clients because they use tools we personally might not.

•Empowering Clients: Whether you prefer harnesses, prong collars, slip leads, or e-collars, we’re here to help you learn how to use them responsibly and effectively

We’re not here to push an agenda or pick sides—we’re here to help you and your dog succeed. Tools are like any other resource: a hammer can build a house or break a window. It’s all about how they’re used, and our job is to teach you to use them effectively and responsibly.”

Focusing on the Dog and Owner in Front of Us

Every dog is different, and so is every owner. We don’t train based on ideology—we train based on what works for the dog and what makes the owner feel comfortable and confident. Our training is about:

•Meeting the dog where they are.

•Understanding the owner’s goals, comfort levels, and preferences.

•Adapting our approach to fit the needs of both.

Why This Client-Centered Approach Works

Our process combines structure, flexibility, and education to create real, lasting results. By focusing on the dog and owner as a team, we ensure that training is not only effective but also enjoyable.

At Training Dogs Online, we don’t believe in limiting options or forcing one philosophy. We believe in empowering owners with the knowledge and tools they need or want to help their dog thrive.

Whether you’re looking to solve problem behaviors or teach new skills, we’re here to help—with a personalized, compassionate approach that works for everyone.

Grab a copy of my Building Food Motivation on Etsy PDF, or dive into our Online Course, where we break it all down and help you build reliable, food-motivated behaviors from scratch.

Curious about the people behind Training Dogs Online? Get to know the trainers and why we’re passionate about helping dogs and their owners succeed.

– Cher Wood

Street Wise Canine