“To change behavior we have to remove the rewards for undesirable behavior and focus instead on rewarding good behavior. The simple approach, along with attention to the nuances of timing, body language, and motivation, forms the basis for establishing a relationship of trust between the human and the pet. Training becomes a joy rather than a chore and the methods open up a whole new connection with your pet.”
~ Dr. Sophia Yin
Welcome
At Plenty of Pit Bulls we believe every dog deserves proper training. Just as each dog is an individual with specific dietary or exercise needs, so too does each dog require a specific training program. This could range from basic obedience, to more advance training to manage complex behaviors. In light of this fact, we have partnered with local trainers, Dog’s Play Training, to offer five free basic obedience training classes for all newly adopted POPB dogs! Additionally, all of our dogs in foster care are eligible to attend free weekly training classes to help prepare them for their forever homes.
We recognize the importance of supporting not only our adopters, but also the local dog community at large. Therefore, we are continually seeking out new and innovative partnerships with our volunteers to promote positive training and provide resources to our community. We hope that the evolving information on this page will be of benefit to each of you!
Training is always about improving our relationships with our dogs. We use a positive reinforcement approach, which is not only more humane but also more effective. For positive, effective approaches to training your dog and addressing specific issues, there are great resources available on the web. We recommend the websites of Patricia McConnell and Dr. Sophia Yin in particular. It’s important to meet with a trainer in person, however, since your dog is an individual and so are you, and it’s not possible to diagnose and address problems effectively without face-to-face interaction. When you are looking for a trainer, please stay away from anyone who talks about “dominance,” “alphas,” and similar concepts. These are outdated, ineffective, and often cruel. Dogs are smart and sensitive, and they want a good relationship with you as much as you want one with them. That relationship will not be built on efforts to dominate or control through force, but by building trust and mutual understanding. It doesn’t mean you can’t address negative behaviors — in fact, you can do that much more effectively by using methods based on good science. For more information, check out the dominance_statement from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. It confirms what good trainers already know: “dominance” is not a concept that helps us understand our dogs’ behavior or address problems.
Positive Reinforcement Dog Training