There are many ways to train a dog and many styles which may seem to produce a reasonable outcome. But what sets certain trainers apart from the rest is questioning and constantly looking deeper into the why and how to train. Why do it this way as opposed to doing it that way? Why does this technique that worked for that dog not work as well for this dog? How could one dog tolerate inconsistency in his handler when another dog whose handler is much more proper be not as tolerant? How could this breed be so different from that breed?

This probing and being unsatisfied with results in training, whether at a high level or basic level, is what sets the professional apart from the enthusiast. Like any other profession, this type of reflection creates the standard for others to follow. A great trainer researches and experiments, creating better ways to communicate and to gain the understanding in our dogs. By constantly looking under the surface of the how’s and why’s, questions become answered as new ones become harder to answer. This is the quality of an innovator regardless of profession.

John Soares believes that a lot of what is not being considered by professional trainers and enthusiasts alike is domestication. Domestication is the fundamental concept in John Soares’ training methods. This outlook is based on personal experience and theory as well as practical training with different breeds, in different areas of work and disciplines.

Critical Distance is the limit in distance an animal will let a rival approach. If this distance is violated there will either be a fight or flee response.

These distances are also deeply rooted into the genetic makeup of our domesticated dogs. These responses, coupled with the responses of predatory sequence, give us a complete functional domesticated dog. For example:

• The reason a hunting dog that stalks and chases prey but refrains from making contact has directly to do with maintaining space stemming from aggression.
• The reason a retriever will stalk-chase and bite the prey soft mouthed (this inhibition is brought about due to defense).
• The reason a herding dog is able to manipulate a flock of sheep through ritualistic movement also derives from aggression, distance.

John Soares has studied and developed his training methods based on these instinctive qualities. Distance and space, when used properly, influences behavior instinctively. It can be seen as a pressure point which induces learning naturally. This consideration benefits the trainer’s communication and meets the dog half-way in the process of learning. Our dogs are caught living in two worlds: one which draws from their ancestors (wolf, coyote, wild dog etc) and second which humans have brought them into through domestication. This unique method of training capitalizes on the individual dog’s outlook.

In high level dog training, John Soares believes that this consideration is what sets him apart from his competitors. The harmony of movement is a quality a professional, as well as novice, can value. The picture of dog and handler working as one is the goal. John Soares’ training methods utilizes the natural behavior of movement (predatory sequence) and ritualistic movement (distance and space) to produce behaviors we can all compete and live with.