The Prestigious Paw LLC
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Building trust and

   the desire to learn.



​Why Lisa Chose Positive
Positive reinforcement principles are used in all of my training classes. I have assisted various different trainers and seen a multitude of methodologies and the best results I have achieved are using positive reinforcement principles.  

I believe this works best because you get a dog that enjoys training and wants to offer you behaviors. Positive reinforcement training does not create any ill effects such as anxiety, nervousness, fear or aggression. I have seen firsthand and on numerous dogs the impact that punishment or correction based training can have on dogs.

I have owned a variety of different breeds and have trained using a variety of methods. I graduated from the University of Delaware and concentrated on animal science and behavior. I studied learning theory and the different types of reinforcement and punishment and the effects it had on dogs. 

I trained one of my first dogs, a German Shepherd named Onyx, using correction and force. The trainer I was working with at the time told me I needed to show him who was boss. He was a tough dog and had a very high threshold. Simply saying or even yelling "No" did nothing. The trainer took control of Onyx and delivered a sharp leash correction several times on a prong collar. After this happened several times, Onyx became very frustrated and was showing signs of stress. After a couple more corrections he lunged and growled at the trainer. The trainer then returned the dog to me and asked me to work with him. I regretfully did what I was asked, but Onyx did not respond. He did not lunge at me, but avoided me completely. My instinct told me this was not working and I concluded our session. A couple of days later I came home from work and Onyx began growling at me for no apparent reason. I would just walk in the house or enter another room. Even if I was sitting at the table I would hear a low rumble. I knew something was very wrong, but wasn't sure what was going on.
​I worked with several trainers and all of them gave me various theories and assumptions on what to do and what not to do. They all said he was dominant and I needed to become the leader. I heard such things as don't let him on the bed or sofa, don't let him go out the door first, don't let him eat first, don't give him any attention if he demands it. I tried all these things and no change.  
​I then found a positive reinforcement trainer who finally made the difference and really showed me how powerful positive training could be. I started to bring Onyx to positive training classes and within 2 weeks I noticed a huge difference. Onyx enjoyed working and remained focused on me. The growling ceased and was never experienced again! ​
​She explained the association that was being made and how I damaged our relationship and trust. I realize now that if I had continued correcting Onyx the situation would have gotten a lot worse and I could possibly have a dog with a bite history on my hands. A growl is a warning and just that. If you punish the growl, the growl may disappear, but the dog may then just bite without warning. A growl is a serious indicator and help is needed. It is in the best interest of both parties to seek professional help.

After that I began to read every book that explained and encouraged positive reinforcement training. I even went back to my old psychology books and reviewed the different theories and quadrants. I attended numerous seminars including three with Ted Turner who specializes in training marine mammals. He really gave me a strong background on how to train animals scientifically and without emotion. He explained to us how he trained killer whales and other predatory species using positive reinforcement principles. It was amazing what one could accomplish! Having an animal offer themselves for examinations or vaccinations or something as simple as cutting nails (this really doesn't need to be the horrid ordeal it tends to be!). His seminars are very informative and he is a wonderful speaker. We all laughed when he said you can't tell a killer whale "No".  

Positive reinforcement training is about reinforcing behaviors you like and want repeated and catching the dog doing something right! A trainer will show you how to break a behavior down into simple steps and then raise the criteria gradually. By being proactive and managing your dog correctly until he/she is trained, you should be able to prevent accidents or misbehavior from happening most of the time. If a dog is unable to rehearse or start a bad behavior, it will cease to exist. This will set the dog up for success. Most of the problems I see start with poor management and too high of expectations from the owner. Dogs don't instinctively know how to do anything except eat and relieve themselves. It is up to us to train and show them what we want patiently.  

Dogs learn through repetition and consistency. You can't expect them to learn after a couple of trials. It must be repeated and reinforced using different types of rewards, in various environments and with distractions added gradually. These are the three parts of dog training: understanding the behavior and what we mean; being able to work in various environments and with multiple distractions. The latter part is what takes time to train and work through. Dogs always perform best in the home, what’s important is that they perform everywhere. Your dog’s classroom is everywhere and always!

There is a misconception that this type of training is based completely on food and nothing else. This statement could not be further from the truth. Food is given, but so is verbal and physical praise, play and anything else the dog desires known as life rewards. The word positive in positive training does not mean good, it means to add something. Positive reinforcement is adding something to get a behavior to repeat itself. Food typically is a powerful, primary reinforcer and works very well as dogs want this more than anything, but a good trainer will tell you it is imperative to vary your rewards. This keeps the dog highly motivated. My dogs were trained using food, play, and just praise. They work for me anytime I ask and in any environment with or without food. They enjoy working and participating in training. To them it is a game and loads of fun and that is my goal. Traditional methods may not use treats, but they use a correction. Something is still being added. I choose to add something pleasant such as food instead of something unpleasant. The result is a much happier and cooperative eager worker!

Positive training is not hard to learn and dogs learn fast. Best of all, the dog never becomes stressed or anxious, but happy and a willing participant. Don't get me wrong, you can correct a dog and he can learn. The only problem with punishment is that it has to be delivered each time the behavior occurs and some dogs become tolerant to the correction. You then have to increase the correction as the dog adjusts to it. I do not want to have to keep doing this and to me it is borderline abusive. Punishment also damages the relationship and can often cause avoidance in dogs. Often the dog ignores the owner and wants nothing to do with them. Imagine if someone was to consistently nag you, yell at you and constantly say no at everything you did. I don't think you would want to interact with that person too much. Fortunately dogs are very forgiving.  

I could ramble on and on about all the benefits of positive dog training, but the results show themselves. Find a positive trainer in your area and reap the rewards it produces. You will not only be thankful, but your dog will thank you too!
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​"Dogs do speak, but only to those
​
who know how to listen."


-
Orhan Pamuk


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What Our Clients Are Saying

Lisa has an excellent working knowledge of behavior, both in a technical sense and a practical sense and can convey the information to her students in layman terms in a way that is not intimidating.
The class structure is very well organized with a clear outline of plans and expectations.  Students present are very responsive to her teaching and presentation format.
I was very impressed."
-Dr. Terri Morrison

"Lisa,
Your help was so crucial when it came to Allie.  We are so glad you came into our home and showed us how to make Allie work out.  We are so happy we stuck it out and have her today. "
-Robin Larson
Linden, NJ

"Prestigious Paw provided in board training for out 9 week old puppy. We brought her right from the airport to Lisa. Daisy immediately took to Lisa and we felt quite comfortable leaving her.
Lisa was so loving with Daisy, while setting limits. She worked very well with teaching housebreaking, which was our first priority. In addition, Daisy socialized with many dogs in a variety of settings. Each 1/2 hour of Daisy's time there was tracked and given to us  in writing. Best of all Lisa's positive training techniques worked!  We brought home a housebroken puppy, and she was only 12 weeks old!
 
Let me add one more important thing, Lisa is a doll to work with, exceptionally responsive to all of my questions, and so patient with my family's need for education about dog care.
I am extremely grateful to her for all of her hard work."
-Jennifer Strauss
Westfield, NJ

"Mark is a very friendly and personable trainer who is easy to talk to and makes you and your dog feel comfortable.  Our dog, Bear, loves him and responds very well to his personality and training techniques.  Mark was able to handle Bear quickly and effectively in various situations and settings and always in a kind and positive manner to which Bear responds positively. 
I would not hesitate to recommend Mark to my friends and family."
 -Michele Schafer
Westfield, NJ 

"Hi Lisa,
I really enjoyed Mark's class last evening.  There are so few trainers out there who know what
they are doing and actually have people skills.  You and Mark have the whole package.  I loved the
handouts and the homework sheet!  I am so relieved to have found you guys!
Lisa has trained both my 6 year old Samoyed (therapy dog), as well as my 2 year old Pomeranian.  We participated in the Outdoor Adventures class which was held at a busy park in Westfield.  My Pom was a rescue with SEVERE fear issues.  I had difficulty walking her in public because she was so reactive.  She would bark and lunge at pedestrians, as well as other dogs. When my daughter's friends visited the house, she would chase after them and bark. I had several trainers come to my home to work with her. One trainer told me to scold her, the other said to lock her in my bedroom when visitors arrived. 
 
All I can say is, by the end of Lisa's course, I was able to walk my Pom around that active park without a peep!  The best part, was the fact that Lisa only used POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT.  I want my dogs to be calm, confident and happy.  The last thing I want is for them to behave properly out of fear!  In fact, I was amazed that my Pom actually out performed my therapy dog, who had previously participated in over a dozen courses!  Lisa is truly outstanding!
 
I am equally thrilled with Mark!  I also have a 6 month old pup.  We participated in Puppy Preschool when she was 11 weeks old. I truly credit Mark for the success I have with her today.  He really started us off on the right foot.  Most puppy classes focus on socialization.  While Mark did allow the pups to play at the end of a session as a reward, he focused on shaping behaviors for the majority of the class.  He would not allow anyone to proceed to the next command, without having a clear understanding of the previous one.  By the end of this course, my "Shiloh" was solid on all of her basic commands!  
 
In fact, if it weren't for the confidence I have in Lisa, I would never have gone forward with this new pup.  She is a White German Shepherd (my dream dog).  I've wanted to own one all of my life, however, I was too nervous to proceed with this powerful, intelligent breed until I met Lisa.  I knew I would be successful with her in my corner.  Let's face it, an improperly trained GSD can be a dog owners worst nightmare (a real liability)!
 
I have worked with over a dozen trainers over the years.  I've even traveled to New York to attend seminars offered by Delta Society Pet Partners. They are internationally know for their success in training therapy dogs for Animal Assisted Activities. Trust me, the Wance's can hold there own with the best!
 
I stumbled for many years and experienced a lot of frustration and anger working with some of the trainers out there.  Many do not know how to deal with people without being condescending.
 
The icing on the cake is that in addition to their incredible knowledge, the Wance's are a pleasure to work with.  They know how to communicate as effectively with the owners as they do with the canines! :0)  This is so rare today!  It is a sad reality, however, most of the trainers I've dealt with did more harm than good."
-April Hobby
Martinsville, NJ

Contact Us

Lisa Wance
​(908) 202-4317
lisa@prestigiouspaw.com

Location

The Prestigious Paw LLC
Flemington, NJ 08822

Photos used under Creative Commons from Stonnie Dennis Dog Photography tinto
  • Home
  • Our Philosophy
    • Positive Reinforcement
  • Meet Our Trainers
    • Lisa
    • Mark
  • Group Classes
  • Private Sessions
  • Behavioral Consults
  • Contact Us
    • Schedule A Class