Today, let’s dive into a topic that’s at the core of our community: training choices and why surrounding ourselves with like minded individuals matters.
Here at Sport Positive, we’re all about promoting positive reinforcement training methods. We believe in rewarding desired behaviors rather than punishing unwanted ones.
But what if you’re coming from a different background? What if you’ve used other training methods in the past or you’re still figuring out where you stand on the positive reinforcement spectrum? Well, here’s the deal: while we wholeheartedly advocate for positive reinforcement in our community, we also understand that everyone’s journey is unique.
I founded Sport Positive because I wanted a safe space free from the dreaded “observation reaction.” We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through your feed or at a show, excited to see some awesome training, and then BAM! You come across someone using methods that make you cringe. It’s uncomfortable, it’s disheartening, and it can really put a damper on your day, the image can stay in your mind for much longer than it deserves.
At Sport Positive, we only have one position: we only advocate for positive reinforcement training methods for dog sports & how we treat each other. We don’t discuss politics, cropping or docking, rescue vs breeder, or who is the best Spice Girl or Backstreet Boy. As kindness to each other is core to the Sport Positive philosophy, wherever you are on your training journey, that is what you can expect.
That’s why we welcome folks from all walks of life, regardless of where they are in their training journey. Whether you’re a seasoned positive reinforcement trainer or you’re curious about giving it a try, we’re here to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where you can learn and grow at your own pace.
Everyone is entitled to make their own choices and we respect that right. We do however, exercise our right to have a community free from punishment, and that is what you will find. Mistakes will happen; it is just the expectation that if you join us, you’ll agree to leave your other training methods at the door.
So, whether you’re here to learn, to share, or just to connect with fellow positive trainers, welcome to the Sport Positive community. We’re thrilled to have you on board, and we can’t wait to see what amazing things you and your dog will accomplish together.