Introduction
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We fully understand that you CANNOT effectively train security canines or K9 handlers without firsthand experience. For this reason, we employ only trainers who are subject matter experts. Our extensive training and experience across these industries ensure that our clients receive current, well-developed and reliable K9 training. We focus on developing every dog to its full potential through effective, compassionate training methods. Additionally, all dogs under our supervision receive top-quality care from dedicated professionals at our well-maintained and purpose-built facility. To learn more about us, explore our commitment to exceptional K9 training and care.
Our Core Training Values
We develop each of our courses with a Core Value System to ensure that both dogs and students apply what they learn in real-life situations. Moreover, these values make our training highly practical, consistently applying knowledge in everyday scenarios. We aim to develop every dog to the highest level of its abilities without using harsh training techniques. By building a deep understanding and developing practical skills, we prepare teams to handle real-world situations with confidence and precision.
We guarantee that each participant not only learns but also masters skills they can immediately use when it truly matters. This dedication is a reflection of who we are and how we follow a Core Value System, ensuring training courses are both meaningful and lasting. Consequently, every session is impactful and relevant, allowing participants to gain practical expertise that translates directly into real-world success and enhanced performance.
These Core Values include
We teach using a meticulously developed curriculum designed to maximize both training time and potential, ensuring every moment counts. Each course includes a comprehensive manual that details all aspects of the training, providing clear guidance. We ensure thorough record-keeping of every course to minimize liability and maintain accurate training histories. Our fill-in-the-blank tests require us to teach the material effectively, while also ensuring students thoroughly understand and apply it. Practical exercises test students in real-world scenarios, actively uncovering and addressing any training issues to enhance their skills.
Our Training Philosophy
Understand how animals learn through the laws of learning. They are the foundation of any dog obedience training method.
Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning, and Extinction. (Pavlov’s Theory)
They are the basis of all dog training methods.
Classical Conditioning:
Classical Conditioning = “Something predicts something else”
We learn to associate one event with another through classical conditioning.
There are 4 common examples:
The animal learns that a particular sound or signal predicts something pleasant, so it begins to respond positively to that signal. For example, when a dog hears the sound of his food bowl being prepared, he becomes excited because he has learned that the sound predicts feeding time.
The animal learns that a particular signal predicts something unpleasant, so it begins to avoid or fear that signal. For instance, if a dog hears thunder before experiencing a frightening storm, the dog may become anxious as soon as thunder is heard.
The animal learns to associate a person, place, or object with a positive experience, causing calm or happy behaviour around it. For example, if a puppy receives treats and praise whenever visitors arrive, the puppy learns that visitors are associated with good experiences and reacts more confidently.
The animal learns that certain environments or situations predict a specific event, causing anticipation before the event even happens. For example, a working dog may become alert and focused when entering a training field because he has learned to associate the field with training activities and rewards.
Operant Conditioning
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Operant Conditioning = “My behaviour has a consequence”
We learn to associate our behaviour with a consequence through operant conditioning.
There are 4 possibilities:
- The animal RECEIVES a reward for a particular behaviour, so it performs that behaviour MORE OFTEN. For example, if a dog sits and you give him a treat, the dog will start to sit more often to try to get more treats.
- The animal RECEIVES a punishment for a particular behaviour, so it performs that behaviour LESS OFTEN. For instance, if a dog barks and his electric collar gives him a shock he doesn’t like, the dog will bark less often to avoid being shocked.
- A punishment is TAKEN AWAY or stopped when the animal does a particular behaviour, so the dog does that behaviour MORE OFTEN. For example, if a dog is being choked with a choke chain while snarling, and he stops snarling and relaxes his face, the choke on the chain is released. Consequently, the dog will relax his face more often to keep the chain from choking him.
- A reward is TAKEN AWAY from the animal when he does something, the behaviour occurs LESS OFTEN, so the animal can get his reward back. For example, if you greet your dog at the door and he jumps on you, you take away your attention (ignore him). As a result, the dog stops jumping to get your attention back.