Welfare and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
The dog training world can be a minefield to navigate, when you want the absolute best for your dog, and there are a world of differing opinions out there. Labels trainers put on themselves – Force free, positive only, reward based, science based, balanced – each have their own nuances and broad spectrum of definitions and applications such that is difficult to really know what you’re walking into.
We understand this and so we feel it’s important to be transparent about how we approach training.
At The Adventure Dog Project, everything starts with welfare.
Training isn’t about control or compliance – it’s about helping dogs feel safe, understood, and capable of living the kind of life that makes them feel truly fulfilled.
My approach is built on strong foundations: structure and boundaries in the home, proper exercise, enrichment, rest, nutrition, and reward-based training that focuses on clear communication and understanding.
Once those foundations are in place, most dogs will thrive with little other intervention.
Some dogs, however – especially those dealing with reactivity, frustration, or fear – can still find themselves stuck. In those moments, emotion takes over and learning shuts down. That’s where a calm, well-timed interruption comes in.
An interruption isn’t punishment – it’s a moment of clarity. It’s a way to gently pause an emotional spiral, helping a dog step back into a space where they can think, listen, and learn again. It’s not about suppressing behaviour; it’s about creating an opportunity for learning and growth.
Every interruption is delivered with intention, fairness, and empathy. It’s a tiny part of a much bigger picture – one built on relationship, trust, and consistent communication.
Because kindness isn’t about doing nothing, while a dog is left to struggle.
It’s not kind to leave a dog trapped in fear, anxiety, or frustration when we have ethical, thoughtful ways to help them find relief and confidence sooner. Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is step in – calmly, clearly, and compassionately – to guide them back toward safety and understanding.
Every decision I make is guided by three questions:
1. Is it kind?
2. Is it effective?
3. Does it improve the dog’s long-term welfare and happiness?
If the answer isn’t “yes” to all three, it doesn’t make the cut.
Because at the end of the day, training shouldn’t just create obedient dogs –
it should create dogs who are free to explore, relax, and live their best adventures without fear holding them back.
Let’s put this in black and white terms:
- Do we use a slip lead to punch a dog in throat to punish away behaviors: Absolutely not.
- Do we expect every behavioral issue, of any severity, can be resolved effectively and kindly, in a reasonable time frame, giving the dog the best life it can have, purely through the use of food rewards: Also no.
The people involved
Our focus on welfare and wellbeing doesn’t just relate to the dogs involved. Human safety and wellbeing has to be at the top of our list of priorities. Any advice given takes into account the safety and wellbeing of any people (little or large) that might be involved in a given scenario. While we can’t take responsibility for the choices you make in your home, we might give guidance on scenarios that are fundamentally dangerous and how they should or could be managed, or materially changed.
Muzzles
We’re pro-muzzle. Muzzles can carry a lot of stigma with them. Some see them as cruel. We see them as life giving and life protecting pieces of equipment. For both dogs and people.
Training and conditioning a dog to not just tolerate but sometimes even get excited about their muzzle going on is really not a difficult thing to do.
Even if your dog has no propensity to bite whatsoever it’s still an incredibly valuable thing to do. There’s a number of scenarios in your dogs life where they may be required to wear a muzzle such as vet visits or procedures. It’s important that we aren’t adding to the stress by trying to introduce a muzzle for the first time.
When it comes to adventures with your dog, being comfortable wearing a muzzle could be the difference between mountain rescue being willing to air lift you and your dog off the hill or not if something should go wrong.
Prong collars and e-collars
Prong collars and e-collars are not part of the tool set we advise clients on using.
While some skilled trainers and behaviorists may be able to execute positive behavioral change with through nuanced and ethical use of these tools that improves dog’s lives, without causing harm or stress – we don’t believe these tools should be a go-to solution for the general pet dog owner.
Putting aside any views people may have on physical harm caused by these pieces of equipment, these tools have the potential to cause a significant amount of psychological harm. If used without a professional level of skill, they can create superstitious associations, put dogs in a state of constant anxiety and trigger aggression and reactivity.