Bentley's Preferred Training Methods
Are How's Bentley's preferred methods the best choice for you?
- The methods we teach foster an attitude of cooperation and contribute to partnerships between the animals and the humans. Although the trainers are the senior partners, the
trainers work for the animals and the animals work for
the trainers.
- The methods we teach are based on the scientific principles of classical and instrumental conditioning.
- The methods we teach require people to think, study, learn and practice in order to be successful.
- All training methods are most effective when the animal's physical, emotional and social needs are well balanced.
- We do not use leash jerks or voice corrections to teach obedience commands.
- The use of positive reinforcement and negative punishment are the primary teaching tools. The animal receives a combination of food, play, praise, interaction or touch as
rewards for performing. The rewards of food, play,
praise, interaction or touch are removed or withheld for non compliance. When teaching with positive reinforcement, trainers focus on rewarding (reinforcing or increasing) wanted
behaviors as opposed to punishing or diminishing
unwanted behaviors. For example, teaching a dog to sit and stay naturally reduces a number of unwanted behaviors such as jumping up or bolting out the door.
- Our services are not best for people who believe that animals are dumb or people who wish to create a master/slave relationship. People that are rigid in these beliefs and
desires would probably be happier learning different
methods from a different trainer.
- Our services are best for people that desire to learn a few basic concepts about animal learning and behavior as well as methods to communicate with and motivate animals,
before training begins.
- Our services are best for people that believe animals should be treated with respect and are open to the concepts that perhaps animals can think, understand and make informed
decisions.
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