Pack Dynamic Training is our All-Natural Behavioral Training Methodology utilized in all of our Board & Train Programs
What EXACTLY is Allelomimetic Behavior & Social Facilitation? (definitions from Wikipedia)
We would not go so far as to say that this all-natural process makes us “better” than other trainers or training methods, as that’s not our judgment to make. Nor did we somehow “invent” this process. However, we are confident making the guarantee that we have a proprietary, unique and proven successful approach, that harnesses the all-natural power of confidently balanced dogs to “teach” other imbalanced dogs how to exhibit more proper and balanced behaviors. It’s taken many years of hard work to get here, but we are now uniquely qualified in our abilities and resources.
ALL dogs who experience our Pack Dynamic Training process find it to be incredibly enriching and rewarding….just check out our Testimonials to see what other owners have said about their experiences with us here at CBS.
Our proprietary Pack Dynamic Training process cannot be found anywhere else in Rhode Island, this we are sure of. It’s likely that there are no other trainers in New England (and maybe beyond) harnessing the incredibly all natural and organic Power of the Pack!
Almost every day we are asked….”What training method do you use?”
It seems to have become fashionable for trainers, both new and established, to label themselves as one “type” of trainer or another – using a Singular Methodology, if you will. Take the well-known Providence area trainer who dropped any natural dog training methods in preference of using eCollars only….or another training company that has adopted the Clicker Training Method only. In our experience, jumping on the current “band-wagon” and adopting the latest training “flavor of the day” method is totally short-sighted and does a deep injustice to those dogs, and owners, who don’t subscribe to that singular method.
There’s just no way possible that every dog will benefit from one single method of training. So, rather than limiting ourselves, we prefer to look at the potential for any and all methods to have value but more importantly, we adhere to some basic fundamental rules and principles.
· Steven R. Lindsay, Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training
“A dog’s ability and readiness to properly meet the demands of domestic life is only half provided by its biological predisposition (Nature) – the other half is realized by the effects of socialization and training (Nurture). Without the guidance of a calm, assertive and effective Leader, a dog’s social adjustment and ability to respond well to an owner may suffer irreparable damage.
A calm, consistent and assertive owner can assist in guiding a dog’s choices until it is properly socialized and trained to make the correct and “balanced” choices on its own. In order to accept our Leadership, a dog must adopt a submissive and cooperative attitude at a very early stage of development and remain that way for the rest of its life.
In order to obtain true Leadership status, one must establish social limits (not permitting dogs to jump up, bite hands/mouthing, not pull on leash, etc.), maintain personal space limits, and develop a cooperative relationship based on gentle and positive compliance training and be able to apply corrective measures when necessary. As a result of these efforts, the dog will naturally become increasingly affectionate and cooperative.
Once basic social boundaries are established, other behavioral objectives are rapidly achieved by presenting or omitting rewards, such as affection, food, play and other activities or resources that the dog may desire to obtain.”
– Steven R. Lindsay, Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training
Owners regularly find countless, and often confusing, options when researching dog training methods available to them. This over-abundance of “methodologies” can create a lot of unnecessary confusion, stress and anxiety for well-meaning dog owners who are just trying to do the right thing for their pups. Some trainers will even advise owners to pursue training with one single method without any prior knowledge of the dog!
It’s difficult to understand how any trainer can truly believe that ALL dogs will subscribe to one singular method of training. It just makes absolutely no sense to us here, and I’m sure it makes even less “sense” to the dog who finds the “stimulation” on an e-Collar to be “shocking” at best. Some trainers will even spend a good amount of their “professional capital” trying to convince owners that “their way is the best way”. To us, that is just crazy!
The BEST way is really no secret at all and is widely known by truly qualified trainers. The best way to train ANY dog is the way that the dog finds enjoyable and enriching, intelligible and interesting and is eager to work with. There’s no way possible that ALL dogs find one single training method able to fit this criteria! This makes little sense and you don’t even need to be a dog professional to understand it.
Here’s how it works (simplified for reading):
Most owners, as well as many other trainers, simply don’t believe it when I tell them that dogs do not exhibit Separation Anxiety while here in our care. This is something I can almost always guarantee. If you have a dog that has very serious Separation Anxiety….I can almost always guarantee that at least while the dog is in our care…..his or her Separation Related Behaviors will be alleviated. In severe cases, relief can often take a considerable amount of time but for many, this is a long-awaited break for them and their dog as well!
While it’s true that our all-natural Pack Dynamic Training process is, far and away, the BEST way to help a dog with “dog problems”, this incredible process effectively aids dogs in the total improvement of almost ANY behavioral issue. Spending time with well-behaved dogs allows the your dog to begin to establish and practice new Positive Behavioral Patterns. Remember, there’s simply no human alive that can teach another dog about balanced behavior more effectively or efficiently than a group of well-balanced dogs.
Here’s just a short list of the undesirable behaviors we regularly address with our exclusive Pack Dynamic Training process:
Currently, they number 12. But this could change at any time when we meet a dog that would benefit as much from joining our Pack as we would! For more information about each Pack member, including their roles and responsibilities….please check out our Meet The Pack page.
That is a great question and one I asked myself for the first few years until I actually realized the daunting amount of work it took me to effectively develop a working Pack. Luckily, I had the foresight to set out on my own multi-year quest to get to where we are today. The dogs in our Pack did not begin here with us as balanced dogs. Far from it.
I can’t imagine many trainers having the ability to commit to the years it takes to obtain and curate a balanced Pack. The time and costs involved in building the a Pack of multiple dogs, caring for (food, vaccinations, Vet care, toys, etc.) and training them…can be quite daunting. Add to this, the fact that you don’t get a “day off” when you own that many dogs. These are all serious “hurdles” that many trainers would not have the ability, or perseverance, to conquer. That said, I am so very glad that I did!
Not mention how difficult it actually is to train a Pack of dogs to be balanced enough to NOT engage with a dog that is exhibiting “high-arousal” behaviors. It’s far “easier” to press the button on an e-Collar than to work daily, for many years, training a group of dogs to be able to not only help other dogs, but often to fully rehabilitate some very severe behavioral issues. In my mind, relying on a “tool” or trick to train dogs to “do what you want” is nothing short of cheating. It doesn’t only cheat the dog….but it cheats the owners as well!
We would NEVER be able to achieve the results we are known for without this Pack of dogs that I have mindfully rescued and trained over the last 10 years. None of these dogs came “trained”….they were all either rescued from homes they were not suited for or from a Shelter or Foster home. They were ALL troubled beyond the owner’s ability to help them. Most had been through numerous “trainers” or unsuccessful programs and were either slated to be euthanized or banished to life in a shelter or bounced around from foster home to foster home. For one reason or another, they ended up here with me and I took it as my duty to help these dogs find peace and behavioral balance. Now….they are giving back to dogs in need on a daily basis. I love them like they are my immediate family and each and every day that goes by I thank the stars for allowing me to finding these wonderful four-legged-friends.
For more about each Pack member – Meet our Pack
Because doing this the right way takes time. In short….it takes the amount of time it takes to do it right! To put a short, artificially imposed time-line on the successful modification of behavior, using natural means, makes no sense. Sure, if we wanted to use e-Collars or Pinch Collars on every dog….we could probably change that dogs behavior in 2 weeks too! But, that’s not the “right” way to reach success and unlikely to produce long-term positive results. Here at CBS, we allow the dog the necesssary time to acclimate for the first few days, or longer, and want to ensure the dog is fully comfortable and feeling safe before we begin training. As a matter of fact, in certain cases, we’ll discuss with the owner the benefit of the dog staying a little longer here in training. And, there is never an extra charge when we request an extension!
I would say this seems to be one of the largest “hurdles” for owners to get past. For many, the thought of sending their dog away for up to 6 weeks seems like an insurmountable sacrifice. We know it must be difficult…but we also know that from the dog’s viewpoint, who really has no clear understanding of the passing of time, it seems like just another day! Thank goodness dogs don’t come here and just wallow while “missing” their owners…..even though this is what many owners believe would happen. It’s simply not the case. Dog’s find every day here greatly enriching and wonderfully fulfilling.
In closing…..
By taking a scientifically sound approach to dog training while prioritizing the dog’s needs and motivating factors, we can naturally lead and guide the dog into proper acceptable behaviors without the need for the harsh corrections or intimidation used by some trainers to achieve quick results. The problem is, those “quick” results almost never last.
Whether you are interested in simply teaching your dog to walk well on a Loose-Leash, or have a dog with severe behavioral issues, we here at Canine Behavioral Services Inc. have the professional ability and experience to help your dog vastly improve his or her behavior and set the tone for a future of peace, harmony and behavioral balance!
We know that finding the right trainer for you can be a difficult decision and we truly appreciate and thank you for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.
The Private Session Dog-Training Program is
Custom Designed In-Home Training
Expert problem-solving & training that works!
Includes Unlimited Support for your dog’s life!
Our incredibly successful Board & Train Program is
Socially-Facilitated Learning
We train your dog and then we train you!
Includes Unlimited Support for your dog’s life!
Our proprietary In-Patient Training is
All-Natural Behavioral Rehabilitation
Our Exclusive Pack Dynamic Training Process
Includes Unlimited Support for your dog’s life!
The Leader-Follower Bond (Nature vs. Nurture)
A dog’s ability and readiness to properly meet the demands of domestic life is only half provided by its biological predisposition (Nature) – the other half is realized by the effects of socialization and training (Nurture). Without the guidance of a calm, assertive and effective Leader, a dog’s social adjustment and ability to respond well to an owner may suffer irreparable damage.
A calm, consistent and assertive owner can assist in guiding a dog’s choices until it is properly socialized and trained to make the correct and “balanced” choices on its own. In order to accept our Leadership, a dog must adopt a submissive and cooperative attitude at a very early stage of development and remain that way for the rest of its life.
In order to obtain true Leadership status, one must establish social limits (e.g. not permitting dogs to jump up, bite hands (mouthing), not pull on leash, etc.), maintain personal space limits, and develop a cooperative relationship based on gentle and positive compliance training and be able to apply corrective measures when necessary. As a result of these efforts, the dog will naturally become increasingly affectionate and cooperative.
Once basic social boundaries are established, other behavioral objectives are rapidly achieved by presenting or omitting rewards, such as affection, food, play and other activities or resources that the dog may desire to obtain.
(excerpt from the Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training-Vol II; Steven R. Lindsay)