My positive training philosophy centers around educating owners and
teaching them how to employ kind techniques that are pain- and fear-free to
create the dog of their dreams.  Secondarily, management of the dog and
the environment in a way that promotes success and provides safety for
all involved, is a big part of what I teach.

My training method is positive reinforcement training with a clicker -
aka "clicker training" (although the technical term for this sort of
training is positive reinforcement training with a conditioned
reinforcer). This is a gentle, reward-based method that applies
up-to-date learning theory to dog training. It is scientifically
sound, extremely versatile, and widely used. Best of all, it is humane
- as I say, my training includes no chains, pain, slapping or zapping!
Because of these reasons, clicker training is my method of choice.

Since it is important to focus is on the whole dog, not just
"behavior", reducing stress and mending inner states of dis-ease are
an integral part of the training and behavior modification process.
When appropriate, natural  remedies such as Bach Flowers, herbal
stress-reducers, or energy therapies like reiki can be utilized.

I train "holistically", taking into account the body (physical
aspects driving behavior), mind/emotions (psychological aspects of
behavior) and spirit (the  unique aspects intrinsic to each animal
being) of each animal I work with.  I look to foster understanding and
confidence in the animal, while helping the owner learn how to end the
confusion that drives problem behavior,  provide direction, and
maintain control.

I do not believe it is acceptable to use pain, fear or intimidation to
get dogs to behave. We have opted to take dogs into our lives, and it
is up to us to humanely teach them how to coexist with us and to
educate ourselves so that we may be the best caretakers we can be.
Dogs have their own instincts and behaviors that can be totally
foreign to us. Many times these behaviors do not fit into our mental
image of what we think a dog should be. Hitting, choking, jerking,
kicking, shocking or hanging to get an animal to fit into the mold we
think he should fit into is not ethical behavior on our part.

All creatures in our care should be afforded the opportunity to learn
in an environment free of pain, fear and stress.  Peaceable Canines
offers that opportunity by way of training that respects animals for
who and what they are, while it also addresses the needs of the owner.

 Peaceable Canines promotes non-violence, in all aspects
     of life! (What is "non-violence?")

PHILOSOPHY

Peaceable Canines' Mission Is To

*offer scientifically sound training and behavior modification programs that are
positive reinforcement-based and, specifically, utilize the clicker

*promote & offer holistic/alternative therapies including reiki & flower/gem
essences that facilitate health & emotional balance

*bring awareness to the special needs and souls of animals, open up
pathways to inter-species communication,  promote positive
reinforcement-based training & humane management techniques

while working to create a  non-violent world in which both humans and animals
can exist in peace.  
Enlightened training for every dog. (tm)