An approach to dog training which relies on a dog’s natural curiosity, intelligence, and innate drives for incentives. Does not implement the use of correction tools, but prioritizes motivations such as food, praise, and play. Built on B.F. Skinner’s ideologies of Positive Reinforcement, first coined in his work surrounding operant conditioning of behavior.

A holistic ideology of the role of a crate in a modern dog’s life. Rooted in the understanding that dogs are creatures that seek small, secure spaces to rest and eat when wild in nature. A dog’s lifestyle might include crowded places, a big house, and playmates a plenty - but all dogs deserve a place that’s theirs and theirs alone. This also offers their human counterparts a secure way to keep pets safe when life gets in the way.

A fundamental acknowledgement that dogs as a species are diverse, well traveled, and have historically been bred with human desires in mind. Breeds have groupings of genetics and traits which predispose them to have certain strengths, vulnerabilities, illnesses, drives, and needs. This means that one size certainly does not fit all when it comes to training - and that’s okay! Our goal is to keep this dog knowledge in mind.

At 4 Paw 5 Star, we know that dogs are family - but we can’t forget about the humans! We welcome kids, adults, and household members of all ages. We believe that to best support your pet, learning your lifestyle is part of the path. We welcome all who are willing to learn, as long as it’s safe for them.

We believe that even though dog training may sound like it’s just about your pet learning from a trained professional, the magic really lies with you. The relationship you build with your dog lays the groundwork for trust, obedience, and success outside of the training session or classroom. Our goal is to nourish this relationship and foster connection that will fuel the progress.

Everyone is entitled to use the tools that suit them best. At 4 Paw 5 Star, our goal is to learn as safely, efficiently, and comfortably as possible. To support our training efforts and align with the most up-to-date research on safe dog handling practices, we recommend using a 4 or 6-foot leash during training. Read the American Kennel Club’s “Retractable Leash Use: When and How To Use Them Safely” article for more information.