Dog Training Philosophy

SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA DOG TRAINING

PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING "FOR THE REAL WORLD"

^{"We can train ANY dog!"}

"Most People Want to Hire THE BEST TRAINER the 1st TIME!"

Bill Glatzel, K9 "Guru"

"A Dog is not obedience trained until it behaves off-leash with distractions"

Bill Glatzel, Dog Trainer Scottsdale, Director of Training and TLC K9 "Guru"

A Whole Method Professional Dog Training Approach

The Smart K9 Choice for you and your pet

Because All Dogs and Owners Are Different and Special, You deserve a training program that is customized to your specific needs. You deserve a program and style of training, style of instruction, and style of learning that will be fun, force-free, and effective in the most positive stress-free way. We use trade marked and system marked techniques such as............ 

Your dog can behave off-leash in just 3 lessons.  Don't let other trainers tell you this can not be done! We often have your dog heeling off leash in just 5 minutes in our free Demo!

WHOLE DOG TRAINING: "THE MIDDLE WAY"

Play Behavior Modification Training System tm sm      and

 Magic Touch Obedience & Behavior Training System tm sm

I am a dog training/behaviorist moderate.
To leash and collar force trainers I'm a on and off "Clicker" food training softy. To reinforcement/"Clicker" food only trainers I'm, let's see... one clicker food reward trainer called me "unethical" because I did not use her methods 100%.

What I am not is a Method-Training Extremist. The two most common extremist camps are the "Clicker"/Food Reward Reinforcement Extremist and the Force Extremists.

The total positive reinforcement extremist (TPR) usually thinks it's better to destroy a dog rather than use a training collar. The most common reinforcement extremist methods are

• 100% clicker training. I do use clickers in my training and, this type of training is very effective, but it does have some limitations and is not 100% effective and helpful for all dogs in all situations. 
• Clicker Training and Positive Reinforcement Only Training will Do Little to NOTHING For Behavior Problems, and
• You cannot train a dog Reliably Off-Leash with Clicker Training or Food and Reward Systems (food bribery training.)  Many, if not Most ALL Dogs, will Have Destructive Behavior Drives or Prey Drives that Override the Food Drive Instinct in Canines. Out side of a controlled environment, outside of class or training, the dogs fall apart and are not reliable.
• Training method where Food or Toys are the Primary and ONLY Reinforcers used, and the training collar is only used by the devil. Force Trainers sometimes think I'm a food-training or toy-training extremist.

The Force Extremist usually thinks, if you can't forcibly correct the dog into good behavior there is no training the dog. Generally force extremist don't understand how operant conditioning and reinforcement training works to change behavior. Theses are the "YANK and CRANK TRAINERS!"

Some common force extremist methods are:

• European dog training. Especially associated with protection dog training. I have met many very good trainers from Europe that successfully train armies of dog using this method, However it is not always the best way to train that canine specialist we call a pet.
• The Koehler Method of dog training. Koehler was an exceptionally good dog trainer. I trained a few dogs under The Koehler Method when I was in high school and this experience was very educational for me. However from reading his books and looking back on my time in a Koehler Method training class, I don't think they were aware of how reinforcement training really worked.

There are many styles of training that will work for many pets. Although there are large numbers of dogs that can be taught with any of the many styles, there are also many (even if not as many) pets that NEED to be taught with an approach that's right for that particular pet. In this case an inappropriate teaching style can lead to disaster.

We are often called to fix problems other trainers can't fix, but also the problems other trainers CAUSE.  In Arizona we have been called many times to fix problems these trainers were unable to fix.

You don't need months or years to train your dog! We produce results in just 3 lessons that take other so called "professionals months if not years to accomplish.  Don't you want the best working for you and your dog?

Q: How is TLC K9 ACADEMY Different Than the way "Clicker/Food Reward" Training Extremists work and the way "FORCE" Extremists work?

A: Very Simple actually.  We are Real Behaviorists.  The "Force" Extremists don't understand learning theory, and the principles of conditioning and shaping behavior in a scientifically proven way.  With the "Click and Treat" Food Reward Extremists, they claim to be experts on "Animal Behavior", "Learning Theory," and especially, "Canine Behavior;" when in fact they totally dismiss half of all learning theory, and they dismiss the whole of operant conditioning.  We use ALL aspects of learning theory, classical and operant conditioning.  The "Clicker" Food Reward Extremists, ignore half of the science behind the learning theory.  They are ignorant, or just amateurs.  This is very important when selecting a trainer or behaviorist to work with you and your dog.  There are many trainers with 10, 20, 30 years experience, yet they just have either not been exposed to the correct understanding of learning theory, and classical and operant conditioning, or they just stay uneducated and don't continue their ongoing education.  As Professionals that deal in behavior and learning, we can never stop educating ourselves.  Some Trainers that have been around for a while just get comfortable, and basically I guess in my opinion, Lazy, and Egotistical, for thinking they have "All the Answers!"

We believe a lot of this comes down to common sense.  As Professional Dog Trainers and Behaviorists, we have to have many tools in our tool box; and the common sense approach that "one size" or "one training method" does not fit all sizes, or dogs or puppies.

We use the most humane, gentle methods that bring about the desired behavior in the least amount of time with the least amount of stress.  We make training fun and enjoyable.  Don't let any trainer tell you training is not stressful for your dog.  It can be very stressful.  Do you remember taking mid-term exams? 

Dogs learning new behaviors enter a challenge of learning.  This can be very stressful, or that energy can be directed and channeled into a play-like work situation.  Unlike most systems that just force dogs to perform, either by food or force, neither being reliable in distractions and especially if the dog is off-leash; our training system actually challenges the dog to think, to make choices.  There is no force, no food bribery, the dogs we teach don't perform on primitive drives such as;

"FEAR" used by FORCE EXTREMISTS, and the primitive  "FOOD/PREY" drive, used by CLICKER FOOD REWARD/BRIBERYEXTREMISTS. 

Both can be unreliable, and both often can lead to aggression in your dog and dominance issues.  Fear Drive, and Prey or Food Drive in an animal can be very unpredictable even in a domesticated dog.  THIS IS NOT THE WAY YOU WANT TO ATTEMPT TO TRAIN A DOG! Having the "Magic Touch," and being able to learn how to have a two-way method of communication that is understood by both the dog and owner, and one that teaches rather than forces or uses Prey and Fear Drive to attempt to motivate, IS THE OWNLY METHOD OF TRAINING THAT IS 99% EFFECTIVE IN ALL SITUATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS WITH DISTRACTIONS SUCH AS FEAR, FOOD, AND PREY OFF-LEASH!

"Clicker"/Food Reward systems are ineffective because they rely on primitive survival instincts of food and hunger.  I challenge any ALL "Clicker"/Food Reward system trainers to show reliability in the REAL WORLD.  If you take a dog trained in only this method, they will not be reliable with other dogs, or cats, or other animals that are distractions in the REAL WORLD.  The "Clicker" Trainer's Treat is nothing compared to the "tasty morsel of a cat, bird, rabbit, or other "live" prey.  There is no time to run in the house to get a treat, or to try to get a better treat like a T-Bone to bribe your dog from running out the door, or out the yard and into the road to chase a cat or a child on a bike, or chase a car. Your dog might be dead, might be run over by then.

The same is true for the "Force Extremist" camp.  Using force and fear as motivation is not reliable and often a dog trained in this method will "FREEZE UP" in a critical situation, sometimes in a life threatening situation.  If you need to call your dog to come off-leash, and your dog's response is to "FREEZE UP," you could lose control of your dog and in a dangerous situation for the dog or others, someone or the dog could be hurt if not killed.  The other problem with "Force Type Training" is that dogs can and do often become aggressive, turn on the owner(s), and creates dominance issues that lead to more and more severe behavior problems in dogs!  This style and method of training "FORCES a DOG to ACT AGAINST IT'S WILL." 

With our method and system of training at TLC K9 ACADEMY, your dog's mental capacity grows, your dog's brain changes, your dog learns to think, to make choices, to communicate in a special, "Magical way" with you the owner.  Your dog learns to make the right choices and to understand why, and to do this in a fun playful exercise.

I hope the information and articles on this site will help you recognize which styles of human/canine education will work best for you and the canine companion(s) you care for.

Whole dog training involves operant conditioning, classical conditioning, physical placement and control of your pet, as well as social relationship conditioning, using many methods.  The methods that is just right for you and your dog's breed, temperament, and character. We will use what works best to help you and your dog quickly in a fun, force free, gentle way.

Whole training starts with the pets natural characteristics and physical state (genetic history, basic needs, individual temperament, health, etc...).

What's important is to blend all aspects of the dog's development into a harmonious whole. Often the actual technique is not as important as how the technique is used in a complete owner/dog education program. 

How you blend and balance these elements can make the difference between an ill-mannered or well-mannered pet.

It is my belief that most pet dogs should have some type of leash work, and I advocate off-leash training & conditioning. Next I strongly advocate the use of a reinforcement based teaching system.

My programs are primarily directed toward educating household pets and their owners. Owner/pet education programs are designed to teach basic obedience, life skills, house manners, how to prevent future behavior problems from developing, and how to solve existing behavior problems, all the way to many different advanced levels of training. Puppy training can start at 5 weeks with an in-home program.

Start enjoying the benefits of a great relationship with your special pet....

 Magic Touch tm sm  Dog Training Method

The TLC Magic Touch tm sm method is a training method that uses the principles of Classical and Operant Conditioning.  The difference is we use ALL aspects of Operant Conditioning, Positive Reinforcement, and  Negative Reinforcement. I have to spend a minute talking about Negative Reinforcement. Negative Reinforcement creates rapid behavior conditioning that can be permanent and is extremley stable.  There are many misconceptions among the lay and amateur dog hobbyists calling themselves trainers or behaviorists about negative reinforcement.  IT IS NOT HARSH...AND IT IS NOT PUNISHMENT...Those that will lead you to believe this are not applied K9 Behaviorists and don't understand how learning takes place with the least amount of stress and quickest results.

BILL GLATZEL's TLC Magic Touch tm sm approach is based on using the principles of operant conditioning and classical conditioning. "We use Negative Reinforcement when the dog makes incorrect decisions for permanent, lasting and stable command reliability," says Glatzel. But then he goes on to say, "We also use Positive Reinforcement, and praise  when the dog makes the right decision." Most people and unfortunately MANY people CALLING themselves "Dog Trainers" or "Behaviorists," don't understand Negative Reinforcement.  The problem is one of a lack of understanding and proper foundation in the true science of canine learning theory.  You can't throw out half the science behind learning theory, and then expect real stable, real reliable behavior in a puppy or dog in the REAL world with Distractions.

Negative Reinforcement does not mean, punishment, and does not mean pain, does not mean harsh corrections.  Here is a perfect example of Negative reinforcement.  Let's say you are very interested in walking down the block straight ahead.  If I want you to turn right with me, and you don't, I might tap on your shoulder to get your attention so you will turn with me.  That is Negative Reinforcement.  You turn right with me so I will stop tapping you on the shoulder.  This is basically the extent of the Negative Reinforcement used in our training.

If you were to use ONLY Total Positive Reinforcement, this is EXACTLY what needs to happen.  If you were walking down the block straight ahead, and I want you to turn with me to the right and I can't use any Negative Reinforcement to get your attention and communicate to you what I'd like you to do; Using only Positive Reinforcement I need to wait until you decide on your own if you WANT to turn to the right without ANY communication or direction from me.  I have to hope that you just "GET IT."  Now you tell me who is training who here, the dog or the dog handler? In Positive Reinforcement Only Training you literally have to just wait for the puppy or dog to act they way you want, then you give a click and follow that with a food treat.  Using ONLY Positive Reinforcement can take months if not years to effectively train a dog in what will take me just minutes or hours. 

Our Whole Method approach is easy for puppies and dogs to understand because we always communicate our intentions to the puppy or dog.  It is frustrating and confusing to a puppy or dog when they don't get the communication and direction that Only Positive Reinforcement Training limits.  This is stressful to the puppy or dog.  And with the puppy or dog always calling the "shots" and then getting FOOD, this quickly can lead to dominance issues, and an aggressive dog that controls the owner rather than you having control of your puppy or dog.

"The concept of Negative Reinforcement is difficult to teach and learn because of the word negative. Negative Reinforcement is often confused with Punishment. They are very different, however. I'm sure you have experienced Negative Reinforcement many times and did not even realize it.  If you did not realize it, was it so EVIL!  Driving in heavy traffic is a negative condition for most of us. You leave home earlier than usual one morning, and don't run into heavy traffic. You leave home earlier again the next morning and again you avoid heavy traffic. Your behavior of leaving home earlier is strengthened by the consequence of the avoidance of heavy traffic. This is Negative Reinforcement! 

Negative Reinforcement strengthens a behavior because a negative condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence of the behavior.

Punishment, on the other hand, weakens a behavior because a negative condition is introduced or experienced as a consequence of the behavior.  But Bill Glatzel's detractors say they can train dogs without corrections, by simply using food as a bribe, clickers, toys, positive reinforcement only.

GLATZEL doesn't buy it, and remains skeptical..

Because of this he created  THE  $5K CHARITY K9 TRAINING CHALLENGE

As of this date, NO so called "PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS" have accepted our Training Challenge

Our system is better than clicker only training, (TPR) Total Positive Reinforcement systems that lack the needed "permanence" and staying power that you need if you want to accomplish any kind of Off-Leash Reliability or any reliability without bribing with food. This often leads to canine aggression, and dominance issues with the dog over the owner, increased behavior problems like destructive chewing, marking, (regression in house training), and much more.  And our system is better over traditional, FORCE/HARSH training.  Our System is force-free, gentle, and produces rapid results with permanent reliability in the most distracting environments and instances.  

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WITH  Magic Touch tm sm  Training Methods

• Rapid Results with 1/2 the time and effort of most ALL other training systems.
• End and Eliminate Behavior Problems of ALL kinds in usually just 1 to 2 lessons.
• Off-Leash Heeling and full Obedience Command and Control in just 3 to 5 lessons.
• Limitless training- see our Training Services
• Both Verbal and Hand Signal Control and Command of Your Dog.
• Off-Leash Reliability with distractions of ALL kinds.
• Accelerated and Advanced Training Results in 1/2 the time and with 1/2 the work.
• And there are "no-limits" to the many other uses for any level of training!

If you are interested in living in peace with your dog, if you are interested in rediscovering the joy that exists between man and his "Best Friend", please call us at the number below and talk to one of our trainers to discover which one of our programs will work for you.

"The #1 In-Home Off-Leash Behavior & Training Experts in The United States!" 

  

Member # 67488

^{"We can train ANY dog!"}

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