Philosophy
&
Techniques
When we founded Northbound, we knew our approach would be centered around positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your dog with things they find motivating—whether it’s food, play, praise, or pets. We allow dogs to make choices and reward the behaviors we want to encourage, leading them to repeat those positive actions.
We know that science-based dog training can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. While our clients are smart, they often don’t have the time to dive into complex topics like behavior modification, reinforcement schedules, and antecedent arrangements. Our strength lies in simplifying these concepts, making them easy to understand and apply.
Who we aren’t: We do not use corrective punishments, prong collars, e-collars, or choke chains. We also don’t subscribe to the “alpha” mentality… where the “owner” is at the top of a hierarchy.
Why?
Every moment with your dog matters. We know all too well that they won’t be here forever, as much as we wish they could be. We also understand that having a dog can be challenging and frustrating, which often makes it hard to spend as much quality time with them as we’d like. Through experience, we’ve learned that by better understanding our dogs’ communication, emotions, and limitations, we can be more in tune with what’s best for both them and us. This has made it easier to cherish the time we have. Our goal is to help our clients feel the same way.
We believe in our methods passionately, not just because they are humane, but because they work! How do we know this? Our trainers at Northbound have hands-on experience and have been educated in a variety of training methods.
You and your dog may have chosen to trek through this life together, but navigating the human world, can be difficult for even the most well rounded dogs. The least we can do for them is to try to understand and communicate with them. Not every dog is built for running miles off-leash, just as not every dog is suited for staying at home and missing out on valuable family experiences.
Should you work with us?
If you’ve used methods different from the ones we recommend, that doesn’t mean we can’t work together. We’re not here to judge. We understand that most pet owners are simply trying to do what’s best for their family and their dog—and we want to help.
That said, Northbound Dog Training isn’t for everyone. Our focus is on educating both the dog and you, their guardian. We’re not just dog trainers, but people trainers as well. We’ll spend time training your dog, of course, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you to continue their training once we’re gone. That’s why we’re so passionate about educating dog owners.
Above all, we believe dogs are family members and should be treated as such. We’re not just their “owners,” but their guardians and protectors too. If this resonates with you, reach out—we’d love to meet you!