Questions, Answered
What kind of training do you use?
We use modern, reward-based training that is practical, relationship-centered, and informed by current animal behavior science. Our approach is Fear Free and guided by the L.I.F.E. model: Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective.
That means we look at what is driving a behavior, teach useful alternatives, create clear routines and boundaries, and choose strategies that protect your dog’s wellbeing, safety, and trust.
Fear Free does not mean dogs are allowed to do whatever they want. Dogs need structure, consistency, and clear expectations. We simply teach those things without pain, fear, intimidation, or force.
Learn more about the L.I.F.E. model.
Do you continue your education and hold professional credentials?
Yes. Continuing education is an important part of doing this work responsibly. To maintain the CPDT-KA® credential, trainers must recertify every three years and document qualifying continuing education or retake the certification exam.
Kind Dog Training is led by Lana, whose credentials include:
- CPDT-KA® since 2019
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed. This certification is issued by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. - Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer
Education focused on preventing and reducing fear, anxiety, and stress during training, handling, and daily life. Learn more about Fear Free for Animal Trainers. - Graduate of Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course
Advanced education in working with aggression cases, including safety, risk assessment, behavior modification, and case planning.
We continue to pursue education in behavior, aggression, fear and anxiety, handling, enrichment, training mechanics, and client coaching.
Does Fear Free training mean there are no rules or boundaries?
Not at all. Fear Free does not mean permissive, and it does not mean “babying” your dog.
Dogs benefit from predictable routines, management, clear expectations, and follow-through. We teach skills such as waiting at doors, settling when guests arrive, walking politely, and leaving items alone without using pain or intimidation to enforce them.
Clear does not need to mean harsh.
Do you use prong collars, choke chains, slip leads, or shock collars?
We do not use prong collars, choke chains, shock collars, leash pops, or slip leads as correction tools.
These methods may interrupt a behavior in the moment, but interruption is not the same as teaching. Our goal is not a dog who complies because they are worried about what might happen next. It is a dog who understands what is expected and has the skills to succeed.
Why can punishment-based training backfire?
Punishment-based training relies on pain, fear, discomfort, force, or psychological intimidation. It may suppress barking, lunging, growling, pulling, or resisting handling, but it often does not change the fear, frustration, or conflict causing the behavior.
A dog corrected around other dogs may begin to associate that discomfort with other dogs. A dog punished for growling may stop warning before escalating. A fearful dog may become quieter, but also more shut down, avoidant, or unpredictable.
We have worked with many dogs whose fear, reactivity, handling concerns, or trust in people became worse after punishment-based training. Sometimes the behavior looked “fixed” for a while, but the underlying issue was still there.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based methods and advises against training methods involving pain, force, or emotional or physical discomfort. Their statement is also clear that reward-based training includes structure, routine, and boundaries. Read the full AVSAB Position Statement on Humane Dog Training.
What if my dog is large, strong, reactive, or has bitten before?
That means safety, management, and a thoughtful plan matter even more.
We work with dogs who bark, lunge, growl, guard resources, struggle with handling, panic when left alone, or have a bite history. Depending on the situation, your plan may include management at home, a well-fitted harness, long line, visual barriers, station training, basket muzzle training, and veterinary collaboration.
A serious behavior concern does not mean your dog needs harsher training. It means they need a clear, realistic plan.
My dog ignores treats outside. Does that mean reward-based training will not work?
Usually, it means the situation is too difficult right now, your dog is worried or overstimulated, or we need a better starting point.
Food is only one kind of reward. We may also use sniffing, movement, distance from a trigger, toys, play, access to the yard, or anything else your dog genuinely values. We adjust the plan so your dog can learn, rather than escalating pressure.
Are you just bribing dogs with treats?
No. A bribe is shown before a behavior as payment for cooperation. Training uses reinforcement after a behavior to help your dog understand, “That choice worked.”
Food is often useful while building a new skill. As your dog becomes more fluent, we add real-life rewards such as greeting someone, going outside, sniffing, playing, or continuing a walk.
Will I have to carry treats forever?
No, although rewards will always be part of learning.
As skills become reliable, we use more real-life rewards and less frequent food reinforcement. You may still use treats when teaching something new, working around distractions, or asking your dog to do something especially challenging. That is not a crutch. It is smart communication.
What does relationship-based training mean?
Your relationship with your dog is part of the training plan, not an afterthought.
Dogs learn best when communication is clear, their person is predictable, and they feel safe enough to take in information. Relationship-based training builds cooperation and trust rather than demanding compliance through intimidation.
What happens when my dog makes a mistake?
Mistakes give us useful information. They may mean the skill is not clear yet, the environment is too difficult, or your dog needs more support.
We safely interrupt when needed, prevent repeated practice, and make the next attempt easier. The goal is not to punish a wrong answer. It is to help your dog succeed more often.
Can reward-based training help with aggression or serious behavior concerns?
Yes. Serious concerns require a customized plan, careful safety management, and realistic expectations.
Aggression can be connected to fear, frustration, guarding, pain, anxiety, or past learning. We do not want to punish away warning signals while leaving the cause untouched. We focus on reducing risk, teaching practical skills, and changing how your dog feels about difficult situations. Veterinary support or medication may also be an important part of the plan.
Why do some trainers use corrections if reward-based training works?
Corrections can create fast-looking results because they can stop behavior in the moment. But a quieter dog is not always a more comfortable, confident, or better-trained dog.
We care about more than stopping the behavior in front of us. We want your dog to understand what to do, feel safer in challenging situations, and have skills that hold up beyond a training session.
What tools do you use?
Tools depend on the dog, the goal, and the situation. We may recommend a well-fitted harness, standard leash, long line, treat pouch, gates, pens, visual barriers, enrichment items, a mat or station, or a basket muzzle for safety training.
No tool is magic. Clear training, good timing, thoughtful setups, and consistency are what create change.
Do I need to be “perfect” for training to work?
No. You do not need to become a full-time dog trainer or get everything right every day.
You need a plan that fits your life, realistic expectations, and enough consistency around the skills that matter most. Our job is to make training clear and manageable.
For families who would like more professional support, Day Training can build skills and momentum when you want to move toward goals faster or do not have time to practice consistently on your own. Limited Stay & Train options may also be available for select dogs and goals.
You will still be included in the process, because lasting results depend on both you and your dog having the tools to succeed together.
How quickly will my dog improve?
Some dogs show meaningful changes quickly. Others need more time, especially when fear, anxiety, aggression, or long-standing habits are involved.
We will be honest about what is realistic and focus on steady, lasting progress rather than promising a quick fix.
