Dog training methods aren’t just defined by training tools

I’m often a little taken aback by how frequently my training with Scout is assumed to be “force free”—even though, if pressed to choose a label, I’d consider myself “balanced”. (I am happy to talk about pressure and punishment.)

I joke that once you show your dog chasing a squirrel while wearing a harness and a flexi lead, there’s no going back. All humor aside, though? It’s pretty true.

Certain obvious signals—usually the presence or absence of specific well-known training tools—can quickly cause fellow dog handlers to pin a particular training label on our foreheads.

But these things rarely tell the whole story.

Mental shortcuts are helpful… and hurtful

While I’d like to pretend I’m some fully rational being who evaluates each situation on an individual basis, I’m no stranger to mental shortcuts. Grouping like things together helps us save energy and navigate the world!

But our quick pattern recognition isn’t always productive. I often catch myself stopping at the surface level, relying o…