Dogs enrich our lives in so many ways. The least we can do, as their guardians, is to train them with care and respect. I believe that when we build a strong bond with our dogs, anything is possible. When we use rewards based training, we encourage our dogs to make choices and engage with their world. This builds confident dogs that are eager to learn and take on challenges.
Positive reinforcement training is scientifically proven to be the most effective method of training behaviors that are enduring. While other methods work, they have the potential to do serious harm. There is no reason to use methods that cause your dog discomfort or fear. Training should be a fun experience that strengthens your relationship. I therefore discourage the use of aversive equipment, intimidation, or physical manipulation.