What is Wonder Woof?

Philosophies

DISCLAIMER: AJ is not a certified dog trainer. He reads a lot about canine language and dog management philosophies and AJ is certified as a Dog Walker and Pet Sitter.

Wonder Woof practices the following principles:

• Positive Reinforcement, or R+

As defined by Pet Harmony Training, R+ is "[a] consequence [to a behavior] that is added to the environment and maintains or increases that behavior in the future." 

Successfully reinforcing behavior requires training that AJ does not have (yet), so what R+ means to AJ is avoiding punitive methods of behavior management. Wonder Woof does not use or condone the use of the following: shock collars, e-collars, spray collars, choke or prong collars, the alpha roll, leash jerks or collar corrections. These methods may be effective at suppressing behaviors in the moment, but are fear-based methods that are harmful to animals.

• Force-Free, or FF

FF is another name for R+. According to Victoria Stilwell at Positively, using positive or force-free techniques creates a dog-human relationship based on "cooperation and kindness rather than human dominance and animal submission." 

AJ believes that cooperating with our animals should include asking dogs for consent and allowing them the power of choice. This could mean our pup decides the route of the walk, where to stop and sniff, or that we ask our dogs for consent when giving pets! (pat pet pause)

• Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive, or LIMA

LIMA means managing a dog's behavior using the most humane tactics possible. As stated by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, or IAABC, "LIMA does not justify the use of punishment...desired behavior change can be affected by focusing on the animal's environment, physical well-being, and operant and classical interventions such as differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior, desensitization, and counter conditioning." 

Part of LIMA is looking at the whole picture of you and your animal's environment - are emotional and physical needs being met? This is why Wonder Woof offers private neighborhood walks and private in-home enrichment visits to make sure your dog's unique individual needs are being met without the added stressors of other animals! 

Certifications