Bridge The Bark

Science Based and Humane Dog Training

Help your dog live in the human world safely, peacefully and comfortably.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE LEASH

  • Help Humans Help their Dogs
  • Force Free Methods
  • Teach Owner Relevance
  • Enhance the Human - Canine Bond
  • Science - Based Training
  • Build an Authentic Connection
  • Humane Treatment
  • Behavior Modification

Help Your Dog

Understand the needs and signals of your dog.

SERVICES AND RATES

WHAT IS YOUR END GOAL?

Who is force-free training for?

Force-free training is for humans that:

want to understand dog behavior and body language to communicate

desire a humane and compassionate way to train and meet the needs of their dog

want to use the latest scientific evidence in animal behavior and training

know there are no quick fixes for behavior change

want a stronger bond with their dog through respect and trust

want to avoid the use of physical pain or intimidation

WHY

Understanding why your dog is misbehaving is crucial to behavior modification. It is crucial to understand the basic drives and needs of your dog.

TEACH

Teaching your dog appropriate from inappropriate behavior will set them up for success in the human world.

TRUST

If we are consistent in our demands and set reasonable expectations, then the dog will willlingly want to follow our lead. Humans and dogs develop a mutual trust and respect for each other.

WHY FORCE FREE?

Force Free Training Methods

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you teach human leaders to assert their dominance?

No. Dominance is a very complex and misunderstood concept.


Dogs do need effective leadership from us.


Effective, non-combative and punishment-free leadership.


Dogs know we are not dogs.

Will humane, positive training methods work on red zone dogs?

Using positive training to treat 'red zone' or severely aggressive dogs is a safer and more effective option.


Treating agression needs to be handled sensitively and with compassion.


Agressive dogs are under stress.


A qualified positvie trainer is able to truly change the way dogs feel for the rest of their lives using force-free methods – not just the way they're acting at that moment.

Are you using food to bribe my dog?

Food is not a bribe.


Food presents a stimulus directly to the part of the dog's brain that deals with emotions.


The pleasurable feeling is a valuable tool in modulating fear and stress.


A reward that motivates a dog to learn is a training tool that strengthens the human - animal bond.

I heard dominance training has quicker results. Can we use dominance methods?

Just like in humans, there is no "quick fix" for anxiety or trauma.


A dog's physiological response to emotion is the same as ours.


A dog needs time to change it's emotional response to stimuli.


Punitive training just puts a band aid on the problem but the dog still feels the same inside if not more insecure for the punishment he has received for ‘behaving badly’.


Bridge the Bark does not use punishment methods.

Will you teach me how to do an Alpha Roll to make my dog calm and submissive?

No. When a dog appears calmly submissive due to physical punishment, the dog is actually in a state of stress.

The dog has entered a survival state known as learned helplessness.


This stress state impairs the dog to learn and function normally.


A delayed reaction can resurface at the worst moment such as in public or around children.

Is humane, positive training as effective as dominance training?

Dominance methods often appear to work because they stop the behavior at the moment.


This appearance of success is deceptive because the dog's instincts and reactions are only temporarily supressed.


Force-free training methods are more effective at changing the underlying reason for your dog's behavior.


There are many humane positive training approaches that are safe and effective.

Bridge the Human - Canine Communication Gap

Meet Eric

I help people who want to help their dogs.
And I help dogs learn to live in the human world.


I have spent over a decade working to improve the lives of animals.


Eric Sueltenfuss, CCS

Northwest School of Canine Studies

"He finds creative ways to shape behavior with positive reinforcement, compassion, genuine connection to animals, and the use of some of the quirkiest home-made props you'll see in the industry."

--Ben S.

"Eric treats clients with compassion and kindness no matter where they are on their dog training journey."

--Mialka B.

"We can now read dog body language to keep play safe and fun, and know how to handle encounters with other dogs on and off leash."

--Sarah S.

"My dog has made huge improvements through working with Eric, and I feel better equipped as her owner to care for her and help her grow into a well-adjusted dog."

--Mari S.

Ready to get started?

Serving the Greater Seattle Area

training@bridgethebark.com