Team captain
Clear rules help your dog feel secure, but flexibility and freedom are important, too.
Your profile
You are the reliable leader in your human-dog team. Clear routines, rules and consistent training give your dog guidance. You know that freedom works best when the basics are in place – such as reliable recall and calm behaviour in everyday situations.
That provides a strong foundation. Training can help your dog feel secure and improve his quality of life. But how you train matters. Professional organisations such as the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommend reward-based training rather than aversive methods.
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- Reliability: Your dog knows where he stands with you.
- Consistency: You stick with training and establish clear routines.
- Safety: Basic commands and rules help you guide your dog safely, even in challenging situations.
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- Not every situation needs to be controlled. Give your dog opportunities to explore independently, too.
- Reward positive behaviour more often instead of focusing mainly on correcting unwanted behaviour.
- Take your dog’s personality and how he is feeling that day into account. Consistency and flexibility can go hand in hand.
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- Reward Instead of correct: Show your dog which behaviours are worth repeating. Reward-based training supports learning and strengthens your bond.
- Allow freedom: Plan walks where the focus is on sniffing and exploring rather than training.
- Practice in all kinds of weather: Work on recall and attention in rain, wind or on muddy paths, starting with situations that are easy to control. This helps your dog learn to look to you for guidance, even when there are distractions.
