The Dog Tutor LLC is a licensed member of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, specializing in clicker training (positive reinforcement). Group classes are conducted at Dogma Dog Care in Smyrna, GA (www.dogmadogcare.com).
The trainer uses head halters such as Gentle Leaders, Halti, New Trix, and no-pull harnesses as training tools, avoiding choke or pinch collars. The training philosophy revolves around clicker and lure-reward methods, avoiding leash corrections and pain, thus creating a ‘thinking dog’ that learns voluntary good behavior and is rewarded for doing it right, rather than punished for doing it wrong.
The trainer serves clients in Atlanta, Georgia, including Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Roswell, Smyrna, and Buckhead, among others. The trainer also specializes in training deaf dogs. Clients are expected to commit to positive training.
Clicker training is a technique that uses positive reinforcement and has gained popularity over the last two decades. It is based on the principles of operant conditioning and behavior modification, derived from psychologist B.F. Skinner. The process involves using a clicker or verbal marker to mark the desired behavior, followed by a reward. The trainer elicits or observes the behavior, marks it with a clicker or verbal marker, and then reinforces it with a treat. If the animal offers the wrong behavior or no behavior, there is no click, no reward, and no correction.
The clicker is effective because it is neutral and sounds the same to the dog regardless of who is using it. For those interested in learning more about clicker training, the trainer recommends visiting another clicker trainer’s website – Emily Larlham (kikopup): www.dogmantics.com.
Clicker training is an effective and enjoyable way to train dogs. For inquiries about training, please include phone contacts when emailing the trainer.
