Questions answered

Do you use cookies?
Cookies are great to say, "I love you". And can be used as a reward but not a bribe. Cookie training is limiting because it is hard to correct misbehaviour. If a dog likes to jump, we can not give them a cookie or they may interpret it as a reward for jumping.

Do you use a choke chain or pinch collar?
Our training uses neither choke or pinch collars. Both techniques are limiting due to the fact that someone needs to be at the other end of the leash. The handler must also have a certain level of skill and physical strength to give a correction. These traditional training methods use those collars to correct the dog so that they want to avoid the correction. What happens when you have a young child with a large dog? Physically the child can not train the dog with either collar. Our method is non-confrontational and does not rely on physical strength. One great benefit is that our training gives the child an alpha position with the help of an adult far more effectively than a choke chain or pinch collar.

What method do you use?
Good Habits Inc graduated from Fred's No Limitations (sitmeanssit.com) method in Las Vegas. We love Fred's humane, effective, and easy method of training. It is one of a kind and the best out of all the methods out there. We use a remote collar to communicate to our dogs, they do not learn the collar as a negative experience, instead all it means is, "hey, pay attention to me". It's a simple concept and it works for any dog whether for a reliable pet obedience training or for coping with bad habits/bad behaviour.

Does age or breed matter?
Age ain't nothing but a number. We have started puppies from a very young age. Good Habits Inc also encourages the owners to have a leash dragging on their flat collar to help the puppy understand what we as handlers want, and to stay consistent. Breed does not matter. We train any dog from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. It's all about getting their attention so age or size does not matter. For good habits and good dogs, we should train as we live at our convenience and to our dog's benefit.

What can I expect when we put the remote collar on for the first time?
You can expect results. Every dog reacts differently the first time they feel the stimulation. Whatever the argument, we will work it through and teach the dog it doesn't mean they are "bad" or "good". It only means, "hey, pay attention".

Do you give corrections using the remote collar?
The No Limitations/Sit Means Sit method we use is never to be used negatively. We want to use it to communicate to the dog, it's just a "hey, pay attention" so that we can tell the dog what we want them to do. We never use it to say, "bad dog", or "NO!". We do not want to use it in the traditional sense of avoidance/correction, where the dog may begin to fear the collar or the handler/owner. The word "no" is replaced with the word "off" and when our dogs are doing something wrong, we want to divert their attention to something we want them to do. Be it, "come" so that they go away from whatever they are doing, or "sit" so that they do not run across the road, or "off" so that they don't eat our dinner, etc.

Is the remote collar waterproof?
Yes, your dog can go for a swim with the collar, the transmitter is water-resistant and both are very durable. Good Habits Inc recommends that after a swim, the area under the neck be dried for the dog's comfort.

What are the prices for training?
We like to meet the dog and the owner to assess the best training to suit their needs. Our standard program is for two in-home sessions (one hour each and one week apart) to teach the method to all who will be using it to communicate to their dog. After the second session the owners and dog(s) are invited to the park club where we teach our dogs how to pay attention to us under distractions. Please call our office or email us to book an appointment. We also will show the collar can work for you by demonstrating it on your dog if you are interested.

Why should we train at a park?
The purpose of having a park club is to meet under a semi-controlled situation. The other owners with their dogs will have at least two in-home sessions completed before joining the club. So, all the dogs and owners will have an idea of handling their dog with the remote collar. We bring in lots of distractions to test the control and attention of the dog and the owner. This is where your dog learns how to pay attention to you. We try to simulate real life situations safely. The professionals leading the park club will be able to help you if you have any questions or concerns.

Does Good Habits Inc recommend putting the remote collar on ourselves to try?
The method that is used in our training is to get the dog's attention using the collar, not to hurt the dog in any way. Depending on the level of distraction, the dog may need to have a higher level of stimulation. It is clearly explained at the first meeting that dogs and humans feel pressure differently. We have all owners test it in the palm of their hands and stimulate the muscle of their hands just like a physiotherapist would, little by little. We can not compare the way we feel the stimulation to how our dogs will feel it. They can handle pressure better than us. We also explain that the method used is not to "shock" but to stimulate the dog's muscle just enough to get the dog's attention. Good Habits Inc does not recommend putting the collar on any part of a human being.

How can I start training with Good Habits Inc?
Give us a call or email. We'll set up an appointment for a trainer to come visit your home to meet your dog and your dog's family. We will discuss the training needed for your dog to suit your needs.

Training is wonderful and should be non-stop. The onus is on the owner; we must be responsible to protect our dogs from any harm.