“Based on current scientific evidence, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that only reward-based training methods are used for all dog training, including the treatment of behavior problems. Aversive training methods have a damaging effect on both animal welfare and the human-animal bond.”
– American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Humane Dog Training position statement. See the full statement here.

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Here at Forever Changed, we believe that love should not cause pain or discomfort. Fear and intimidation do not built trust. As such, we believe in positive fear-free training.

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We believe that our dogs and cats are members of our family, and we know our adopters feel the same way. We see the purpose of training as a vehicle to develop better and clearer communication between family members who can speak and those who cannot. Training supports respectful communication, which is a two way street. It is about creating a common language together. It is as much about training the humans how to listen to their furry family members as it is to teach our dogs and cats how we want them to behave. In fact, we argue training is probably more to train the humans than it is the pups. 

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Because we love our pups so much, training dogs by scaring or hurting them through physical intimidation using choke, prong, or electric shock collars, “alpha” rolls, muzzle grabs, or throwing things (chains, water balloons) at dogs are NOT something we believe in or condone. Not only are these scientifically proven not to be effective, it damages the human/dog relationship, and contributes to the development of aggression as self-defense for the dog. We have seen TOO many cases of perfectly lovely and affectionate dogs and puppies, who had to be euthanized due to behavioral concerns. Majority of the time, the problems were exacerbated after the dogs were trained using an aversive trainer or aversive training method. It breaks our hearts when these instances occur, as we love the dogs in our care as if they were our own.

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In recent years, some high profile celebrity trainers with zero education in animal behavior or dog training and well-marketed training franchises have reversed the progress towards humane training. The Humane Society of the US, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers all promote positive dog training as the most effective and humane way to train dogs. Positive dog training is science based and evidence based, and proven to be effective. 

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• Positive training strengthens the relationship between a dog and its person and builds TRUST. Positively trained dogs enjoy training, rather than complying out of fear.

• Showing dominance, suppressing a behavior, or punishing a dog has been proven damaging and ineffective. On the other hand, positive training promotes providing dogs alternatives to unwanted behaviors, so the dog knows what you want him/her to do.

• Positive trainers look for the root of a behavior problem; they aren’t simply punishing a symptom. For example, if your dog barks at other dogs because he’s afraid and wants to keep them away, you can stop the barking with a choke, prong, or electronic collar, but you haven’t helped him get over his fear. Worse yet, he now has even more of a negative association to the stimulus. Not only is this unfair, it can also develop or increase aggression and anxiety or can cause a dog to shut down.

• Positive training includes management methods that set the pups (and humans) up for success.

• Positive training is based on research and data that supports how dogs and other animals learn. 

 

Most of the time, we learn that people use aversive trainers because they did not know where to look. We do not want a lack of resources to be the reason for a failed adoption or for it to lead to a behavioral euthanasia. We want all of our pups to be successful in their new homes, and we want our adopters to have all the tools to support their pups. 

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We compiled a list of positive trainers in our adoption area, highlighting some of our trainers of choice that we work with regularly. We hope you find this list helpful. If you are a positive trainer and would like to be added to this list, please email us at foreverchangedar@gmail.com so we can learn more about your training programs.