Maggie prefers not to label herself or her methods using the current terminology, (positive reinforcement, balanced, etc.) because it can often be misleading and misunderstood. Describing her methods will give you a full understanding of what you can expect.

Maggie employs the concept of LIMA: Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive to her training and always discusses her methods openly and honestly and seeks approval from the dog’s owner. She highly respects the dog and the family and will make every effort to agree upon anything used or done to the dog. Maggie focuses on educating the owner about normal dog behavior, setting realistic goals, and creating a calm dog that is easy to manage and enjoy.

1. Management may be used in the form of crates, tethers, leashes and gates to prevent behaviors from occurring.

• Crates are used minimally to keep dogs safe when they are alone, resting or sleeping, until they can be reliably free without accidents or chewing. Most dogs can be transitioned to not need a crate, if the owner desires this.

• Tethers are used if the dog is a danger to others.

• Leashes are used when it makes sense: on walks, when first meeting people, and for control around things, until the dog’s behavior is reliable and can be trusted to listen.

2. Marker Words: Marker words are used to “mark” behaviors as they happen, to help the dog identify behaviors and predict consequences. Food rewards are constantly adjusted, and weaned completely, when behaviors are reliable in each setting desired.

3. Corrections/Punishment/Discipline:

• Prong collar may be used if agreed upon. In some situations, it is a life altering tool. A prong collar may be warranted if a dog can overpower an owner or Maggie, a dog is dangerous, or the dog has learned to ignore other equipment.

• E-Collar: This tool is the only tool used to obtain off-leash reliability. Also used when it is the right tool for the case. Because e-collars are the top-of-the-line training technology, they can have quick and precise results.

• Verbal corrections, leash corrections, and Maggie’s discipline method are used to teach the dog what NOT to do. These are all hands off forms. Corrections are used until the dog no longer requires them and no longer performs the unwanted behavior. Examples of times these may be used are barking excessively, stealing food, anything dangerous, etc.

• Consequences are used in many forms; receiving a food reward or not, ignoring the dog, walking away, putting a toy away, receiving a toy, petting, eye contact, praise, etc.