Professional and private dog training was based for centuries on “telling the dog what to do and then making him do it”. This is a military model of dog training which is still seen throughout the world today and the principle is used to justify a wide range of equipment that force a dog to comply regardless of how the dog feels about the task, and often even whether or not the dog is physically able to carry out the task effectively.
Nina’s science-based animal training methods are based on error-less learning principles, component behaviours, problem solving, and giving the animal choice throughout the training sessions. By setting up the session to help the learner-animal succeed at the most basic level, in order to earn reinforcements, and giving the animal choice at each step in the session to continue when it feels ready, Nina has helped many animals to overcome fears and also to tolerate vet procedures which the animal would have previously strongly resisted or avoided.
The use of error-less learning and component behaviour techniques, together with choice and control means that the two-way communication between animal and trainer (or three-way between owner, animal and trainer) flows easily in a positive and harmonious “dance” and this fluency shows in the way the animal performs the desired tasks or skills.
Nina developed the ground-breaking techniques of Homing Signals; and Component Behaviour Training coupled with Problem-Solving for puppies. These techniques enabled Canine Partners assistance dog puppies to learn over 100 commands before one year of age, and also meant that they could solve any new problems encountered with their disabled partners by using the Component Behaviours in new ways.