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MISSIONOur mission is simple - to help dogs and people discover the results and rewards of positive training.
When training is fun and effective for dogs they:
When training is fun and effective for people they:
The end result . . . happy dogs and people who can enjoy a permanent
positive connection! |
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The last decade has seen a dramatic paradigm shift in dog training. Scientific principles of learning, including operant and classical conditioning, have been successfully introduced to the world of dog training.
The training methods we use rely on these principles. These methods are often referred to as positive methods because they rely on rewarding dogs for getting things right, instead of correcting them for getting things wrong. Have you ever seen the comic that shows one dog talking to another, saying "My name is 'No-no-bad-dog"? How sad and stressful, for both dog and owner, to constantly point out our dog's wrongdoings. With positive training our dogs learn to practice the behaviors we desire because their life is full of "Yes!".
Because we do not rely on corrections as a way to train, we do not advocate methods or equipment that can cause pain or discomfort to your dog. Thus, we do not typically recommend the use of chain (choke or pinch) or electronic (shock) collars. Instead, we use equipment that helps foster good behaviors we can reward.
In many of our classes we employ clicker training. Clicker training is a fast and fun method of training that is based on developing a powerful communication system with your dog. It's the same method (with some variations) used to train marine mammals at places like Seaworld. And hey - if you can train a 6000-pound killer whale to do amazing things, just think what you can train your dog to do with these same principles and techniques!
PHILOSOPHY
Though of a different species, dogs are asked to live and perform in a very human world. They give us so very much (which is why we humans must love and need them so) and I believe it is our utmost responsibility to give them, in return, opportunities to learn in a kind and gentle way. Every dog is a unique individual, shaped partly by genetic traits, and partly by the experiences he (or she) amasses while living in our human world. As a unique individual, each dog - and his (or her) person - is deserving of the utmost respect, and of an opportunity to learn in ways that are reassuring and rewarding.
From Sarah Richardson, Founder of The Canine Connection
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I have traveled all over the world, and have often found myself
in places where I do not know the language or the culture. I have
sometimes felt confused by unfamiliar words, unclear expectations,
and unknown meanings. Sometimes I think this must be what an untrained
dog must feel like in a human world. When dogs do inappropriate
things, or don't behave as we want, it's usually because they simply
don't fully understand what we want, or know what to do. Don't we
owe it to these marvelous and mysterious companions - our dogs -
to help them learn our human expectations in a humane
way? Would we want any less if we were the ones doing the learning?
CONTRIBUTIONS
The Canine Connection was founded because of a love of dogs. In an effort to extend our reach to dogs not directly affiliated with us, we contribute in a variety of ways to non-profit groups involved with the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of dogs. Here are some of the organizations to which we have recently contributed:
To learn about this photo click here.
Have you adopted a dog from a non-profit shelter or rescue organization?
If you are one of our students, please let us know about the adoption.
We will make a $10 donation to that organization on your behalf
so that other dogs may also benefit from your dog’s adoption.
Your dog must have been adopted within the 2 months prior to your
beginning one of our introductory classes (Puppy Kindergarten or
Obedience Basics) and the shelter or adoption group must be a registered
non-profit (501c3) organization. Together, we can make a difference
helping more dogs find loving homes.