Philosophy
Legacy's instructional format employs the use of operant conditioning, classical conditioning and relationship education. Our programs prohibit techniques that cause pain or fear for the dogs (no choke chains or pinch collars). We set up each training situation for errorless learning. Our byline is cooperation, not domination. As a Legacy client, you'll learn to establish appropriate behavior in your pet with reward-based training. We'll teach you how to communicate your leadership and how to discourage inappropriate behavior.
Our motto is "Catch Them in the Act of Doing Something Good". We provide education to the individuals on both ends of the leash. The mission statement of the National Japanese Canine Good Citizen Program reflects our goals:
Both Human and Canine Good Citizens Will:
- Demonstrate a good relationship as a result of positive training.
- Demonstrate reliable control with minimal handling and maximum enjoyment.
- Demonstrate appropriate manners and be unobtrusive to those around them.
Think of The Law of Gravity - we believe it, we don't question it. It works! The Law of Effect is a learning principle that is just as reliable. "Behaviors that are rewarded increase in frequency, intensity or duration." Legacy's training methods use rewards from three categories: Food, Toys, Interactions. Legacy students are taught when and how to use them, and most importantly, when not to use them. The dogs learn to play the lottery of random reward.
Our Pet Dog Manners classes begin with a 90-minute orientation for humans only. Learning is a two-way street. English is a second language to dogs! We need to teach them the meaning of a few of our English words, but it's equally important that we try to understand their fascinating body language as well. Legacy students are provided with a supplemental 46-page illustrated handbook written by Terry Ryan describing the mechanics and practical application of each exercise. You'll also be provided with a hot line number for advice whenever you need it.
We split complicated behaviors into easily rewarded segments. We then put those pieces together. Many of our training exercises are in the form of games or real life situations, making training effective, practical and fun. Our classes are small. Our instructor to student ratio is about one to four ensuring that you will receive a great deal of personal attention from the teachers and one-on-one coaching.