About Lisa Lucas

Lisa is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) and Canine Behavior Counselor. Prior to becoming a professional dog trainer, she put together a sleddog team that included several "second hand" dogs. One of those dogs had some serious aggression issues, which led her to the Behavior Department of Tufts Vet School for a consultation. That led her to Carol Byrnes, owner of Diamonds in the Ruff, for help implementing the behavior modification program outlined by the behaviorists at Tufts. Carol asked her if she would handle her aggression cases and the rest is history. Lisa loves learning about the canine mind and sharing her knowledge and experience with anyone who will listen.

From 2001 to 2005 she worked at SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services) as the first on-site Dog Trainer. Her primary responsibilities were adoption counseling, temperament testing and teaching a free training class for adopters. Lisa developed the first temperament testing protocols for the shelter and has safely tested and advised placement for countless dogs.

In 2007 she began working as the Training Director for a new prison dog training program called F.I.D.O. (Federal Inmate Dog Opportunities) at Geiger Corrections in Spokane. In F.I.D.O. a group of Federal Women Inmates taught homeless shelter dogs basic obedience and good manners to increase their adoptability. Lisa developed the training curriculum for this program. Unfortunately, the program came to an abrupt end in August, 2008 when Geiger ended its contract with the Bureau of Prisons to house Federal Inmates.

Training Philosophy  ~ Random Thoughts

Behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences. Whatever immediately follows a behavior determines the likelihood the behavior will be repeated. Consequences can be reinforcements or punishments, positive or negative. I choose to use positive consequences in training.

Every reward we give our dog is like putting a deposit in the bank. It builds up our relationship. And a strong, trusting, respectful relationship can over come imperfect training.

Once a behavior is in place, variable rewards will strengthen a behavior. Using and understanding variable reinforcement schedules are vital in teaching longer and stronger behavior patterns. Gambling casinos know this. They have scientifically determined the optimum reward schedule - they let you win enough to keep you hooked! The same principle applies in dog training.

Dogs who are trained using Positive Reinforcement are eager to give more of themselves in the training process than dogs who are trained using force, punishment and correction. It is because they are not afraid to make a mistake for which they will be punished. In fact, most dogs are punished for confusion rather than for disobedience.

To quote Steve White, arguably one of the best trainers on the planet, "The world is full of reinforcements and food is only one of many possibilities." I teach my students how to capitalize on the environmental reinforcements in their everyday lives.

There is a difference between using food as a training tool and using it as a bribe. I teach handlers early in the process how to use food and other rewards in a way that does not create dependence on them.

"Dominance Theory" is overused as a way to explain behavior. Especially aggressive behavior. Aggression has many causes, most of which have nothing to do with "dominance." Canine behavior is far more complex than the outdated linear model of dominance/submission.

Dogs aren't born knowing the human language. It is up to us to teach it to them!

"Force is simply the absence of real power, and no matter how gentle, is always the last method to use when controlling your dog." ~ Patricia B. McConnell, PhD.