Philosophy

We love our dogs. They are a part of our family, our best and most loyal friends.

At kona's touch, we have learned how to interpret their language and how to teach them ours. Watching your dog learn to think with self control, make good decisions, and choose appropriate options is exciting, fun and rewarding for both you and your dog.

Old-fashioned training has taught us that the only way to "control" our dogs was to "dominate" them. It is no longer our only choice. We have finally stopped frightening our "best friends" into submission and begun to teach them with positive, peaceful lessons.

You have many choices now for safe and humane dog training. Positive dog training is here...and here to stay. There are many forms of reward-based training. We will apply the best combination of gentle, peaceful approaches designed to reinforce the importance of your relationship with your dog.

Karen Pryor — a pioneer of modern, force-free animal training methods — defines the technique:

Clicker Training is an animal training method based on behavioral psychology that relies on marking desirable behavior and rewarding it. Desirable behavior is usually marked by using a clicker, a mechanical device that makes a short, distinct "click" sound which tells the animal exactly when they're doing the right thing. This clear form of communication, combined with positive reinforcement, is an effective, safe, and humane way to teach any animal any behavior that it is physically and mentally capable of doing.

Learn more at ClickerTraining.com >>

Positive training is the preferred method by many industry organizations. Most notably, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) has issued a Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals. The AVSAB recommends that veterinarians no longer refer clients to any trainer or behavior consultant who coach or advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training the follows from it.