OUR PHILOSOPY
Man’s Best Friend Should to Be Trained with Kindness and Respect
What is the Best Way to Train Your Dog?
Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Builds Trust and Lasting Results—No Force Required
The most effective way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement—a science-backed, humane method that uses rewards to encourage good behavior. Just like humans, dogs learn best when their actions lead to positive outcomes. They naturally seek comfort, praise, food, and fun—and avoid discomfort or fear.
Since dogs are non-verbal, it’s crucial to communicate in ways they can understand. Positive reinforcement training teaches dogs what you want them to do by rewarding those behaviors, while using gentle, force-free management to reduce unwanted habits.
At Dog Savvy, we believe training should strengthen the bond between you and your dog—not damage it. That’s why we never recommend the use of force, intimidation, or aversive tools like choke chains, prong collars, or e-collars. These outdated methods can lead to fear, anxiety, and broken trust.
Positive reinforcement creates a cooperative, respectful relationship with your dog. It’s not just effective—it’s kind, and it’s the key to raising a confident, well-behaved companion you can truly enjoy life with.
Dogs Learn They Can Earn Rewards for Good Behavior
At Dog Savvy, we use positive reinforcement and game-based dog training techniques to empower your dog to make good choices. This system builds confidence by teaching your dog how to succeed with good behavior and ensuring that inappropriate actions lead to humane, consistent consequences.
Through rewards like treats, toys, or praise, your dog learns that polite behavior is rewarding. Denying rewards for undesirable actions helps your dog understand that certain behaviors won’t get them what they want.
Our game-based dog training system presents your dog with choices, allowing them to solve problems and earn rewards through polite behavior. This method strengthens your dog’s manners and naturally diminishes undesirable behaviors.
Positive is NOT Permissive
Positive reinforcement doesn’t mean permissiveness! While we emphasize rewards and encouragement, setting boundaries is essential for good behavior. Freedom is a privilege that your dog must earn through good behavioral choices.
Using preventative measures such as leashes, crates, or pens, alongside active supervision, ensures your dog has the best chance to develop good habits. Positive training doesn’t mean allowing bad behavior to go unchecked; instead, it gives your dog the tools they need to succeed.
Learn how to correct your dog using humane discipline techniques that don’t harm your relationship!
What is Game-Based Dog Training?
Game-based dog training allows dogs to learn good behavior through fun, interactive training games. These games give your dog clear consequences for their actions and offer the mental stimulation they need to feel fulfilled.
This problem-solving approach helps dogs grasp the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behavior faster than traditional methods. When dogs make good choices during games, they are rewarded, which reinforces their polite behavior.
At Dog Savvy, our Learning through Games of Choice program encourages dogs to be polite and engaged while making training fun for both dogs and their humans.
Teach Your Dog Good Manners
Good manners training goes beyond simple obedience. Instead of just responding to commands, your dog learns to think creatively and offer polite behaviors on their own. These “default behaviors” are actions your dog performs automatically without a cue.
When a dog thinks for themselves, they retain the information longer. Teaching these polite default behaviors gives your dog socially acceptable ways to behave in everyday situations, making them more manageable and confident.
How Does Manners Training Differ from Obedience Training?
Some forms of traditional obedience training involve force and intimidation, where dogs are taught to obey commands out of fear of punishment. This “do it, or else” approach can cause a dog to become mistrusting or fearful of their human guardians.
At Dog Savvy, we view training differently and encourage you to see your dog as a family member—not a subordinate.
Instead of “commands,” we use cues—friendly prompts that signal what we’d like our dogs to do. When dogs learn through positive reinforcement, they look forward to hearing cues because they associate them with something fun or rewarding.
How to Choose a Dog Training Method
Choosing how to train your dog boils down to what kind of relationship you want to build. Do you want a dog that obeys out of fear and intimidation? Or do you want a companion who trusts and enjoys learning with you?
At Dog Savvy, we believe in fostering healthy, loving relationships between dogs and their humans. Through positive reinforcement, we offer a fun, respectful, and effective approach to training that results in a well-mannered, happy dog.