Consultation on dog behaviour.

Pauliina Laurila is a dog trainer specialized in the natural behaviour of dogs.
Pauliina offers consultation, training and problem solving with methods that apply knowledge on dog behaviour, experience and scientific understanding on the latest studies on dogs. Pondering dog issues is based on a broad vision on all the things that affect dog behaviour. It is important to understand the dog as a species, although the individual is considered.

Dogs can be trained anywhere because learning is on ongoing process. Training should be rewarding for both the dog and the owner. One does not need to teach their dog to perform in competitions but exercises that aim to improved co-operation. These exercises will make doing things together pleasant for the two. Small changes in training methods may have a big effect on the behaviour of the dog, and these changes shall be seen in all situations.

What is the most important thing to consider when training a dog?

When teaching a new thing or correcting old behaviour the most important thing is to concentrate on the dog - owner interaction. If the dog does not behave in a way that is expected from it, it is usually because the dog actually does not know what to do. It may not be an issue of leadership. All expected things need to be taught to the dog and already learned things need to be encouraged in order to keep them up. The relationship between the dog and the owner is the key for several reasons. It is important that the owner is able to “read” the dog.
The dog - owner interaction can and should be stimulated and strengthened anywhere, at home, out in the park etc. This does not require a training field as such. When the interaction works any surprising situations can be faced without adding stress to them.

When the training is based on the dog – owner interaction the training methods are naturally positive to achieve the biggest advantage and the best results. Punishing or forcing becomes needless. Actually punishing and forcing makes animals to learn slower, and often the wrong things. Forcing also increases stress, and an animal in stress (just like humans) is unable to learn desired things. A dog learns to obey simply because co-operation is worthwhile - not because it is being controlled with for example, a choke chain.

Pauliina’s methods have a special focus on dog communication. The aim is a happy, obedient and stress-free dog with an equally happy and stress-free owner who is able to take his/her dog to all circumstances needed.

The following are examples of common issues that can be resolved relatively easily with positive methods:

• Encountering other dogs
• Pulling on the lead
• Fear or aggression
• Hyper activity
• So-called leadership problems
• Destroying the house

Recommended books:

• Turid Rugaas: “Calming Signals, on talking terms with dogs”
   and “What to do when my dog pulls on the lead”.
• Raymond and Lorna Coppinger: “Dogs”

All dogs can learn new tricks.

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