Founded in 2006, Big Apple Dog School has long represented science-based, “best practices” dog training in New York City, with training methods strongly rooted in positive reinforcement.
For teaching new behaviors, this has meant using a reward system that encourages the dog to offer and repeat a desired behavior while using instructive correction to stop an unwanted behavior. Training is not complete until the rewards have been faded out. For separation anxiety specifically, the approach needs to be modified as it’s not realistic or effective to try to reward the dog for relaxing in the owner’s absence. In this case, science-based, best-practices training relies on desensitization.
In either case, the result is a happy, well-trained dog who is tightly bonded to his owner and an owner who is confident in — and proud of — his dog. This really is what we strive to achieve: owners and dogs living mutually satisfied lives, together.
