What is the difference between PetSmarts reward based and the traditional obedience training taught elsewhere?
Primarily, it’s a mindset that you have brought a new dog into your home because you want her to be a happy and loving member of your family. As such, she needs to know what is acceptable behavior in your house, and what you are asking from her. Once she understands what you want and is able to respond positively, your bond will grow even stronger, and you’ll be able to do more with her. PetSmart’s training program does not use choke chains or harsh methods. It’s not about forcing your dog to obey commands. It’s about developing a common language that both pets and parents can understand to help us communicate in a way that is fun for everyone. That’s why we use the word “cue” – not “command” – to describe the requested behavior we seek from our pets in class. Dogs, just like people, learn more effectively when they want to learn and are rewarded, rather than when they are being forced.
