Training Principles
Our training philosophy here at Smiles and Wags is based in relationship building and improving communication between human and canine. The vast majority of behavior issues are a result of a cultural disconnect between human and canine social standards. We employ positive reinforcement methods and believe that training is most effective when it is based in fun not force.
We believe that positive training is not synonymous with permissiveness.
We use a variety of rewards in training including food/treats, tug, chase, affection, sniffing, toy access and praise. This variety makes for more fun while training and therefore better results.
We believe that positive training is not synonymous with permissiveness.
We use a variety of rewards in training including food/treats, tug, chase, affection, sniffing, toy access and praise. This variety makes for more fun while training and therefore better results.
Trainer Bio
Meet Shelby Schwartz, head trainer and founder of Smiles and Wags. With a bachelor's degree in psychology and field biology and 14 years of professional full-time experience with dogs, Shelby has a deep understanding of learning and behavior from both academic and practical perspectives. Shelby’s animal career began with training horses and then primates before she found her true calling as a dog trainer. Shelby gets very excited about the technical and scientific concepts of learning and is especially skilled at relaying and applying these academic ideas. Shelby works hard to ensure that her clients understand how to work with their dog and also why certain techniques are chosen in various scenarios. Rather than adhering to a recipe-style approach, Shelby custom tailors her training plans, taking into consideration the many variables that make each dog and human family unique.
When she is not working with clients and their dogs, Shelby can be found enjoying her family, snowboarding, hiking, building things, and practicing new skills with her own dogs.
When she is not working with clients and their dogs, Shelby can be found enjoying her family, snowboarding, hiking, building things, and practicing new skills with her own dogs.