LIVE WEBINAR • For Your K9, Inc.
Choice or Cue?
The Science Behind Choice-Based Dog Training
A grounded, honest look at choice-based training, what the research supports, where it works well, and where dog owners and trainers need to think critically about its limits.
Better Choices. Stronger Connections.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
$25
Live Webinar
with Nancy & Lisa
SOUNDS FAMILIAR?
The training world is full of conflicting voices
There's a lot of noise in dog training right now. You've probably heard things like:
"Let your dog choose everything — that's the only ethical way to train."
"If you ever use a cue, you've taken away their agency."
"Structure and boundaries are harmful to dogs."
"Choice-based training is the only science-backed approach."
These ideas deserve honest examination, not dismissal, and not uncritical acceptance.
That's exactly what this webinar is for.
WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY
A balanced, science-informed perspective
The case for choice-based training
- How autonomy reduces stress and cortisol levels in dogs
- Studies on improved long-term retention and willingness to engage
- The role of cognitive enrichment on behavioral health
- How choice increases trust between dog and handler
- Where the research genuinely supports this approach
Where it gets complicated
- Where it gets complicated
- When too much choice creates confusion or anxiety
- Learned helplessness vs. learned irrelevance, the difference matters
- Practical limitations in real-world training environments
- Common misapplications trainers see in the field
- What the research doesn't always address
What this looks like in real training
You will take away practical training techniques you can start doing right away! Such as:
Introducing Opt-in Check-ins
Recognizing when to train and when not to
Build pause & check habit on walks
Balance choice with safety cue
And Much More
WHO'S THIS FOR?
You'll get the most from this if you're a...
Dog Owners
Sorting through conflicting advice and wanting real clarity
Professional Dog Trainer
Looking to sharpen how you think about and explain methodology
Vet Professional
Wanting to give clients grounded, accurate guidance
Dog Sport Enthusiast
Interested in the science behind how dogs learn
Come ready to think critically and walk away with a clearer, science-backed perspective
Whether you're a trainer refining your practice or an owner trying to do right by your dog, this conversation is designed to leave you more informed, not more confused.
It includes the live session and a recording you can return to.
YOU'RE IN!
Meet Nancy and Lisa
Nancy Reyes
Nancy has worked in dog behavior and training for over 30 years. Her approach is relationship-based and grounded in behavioral science — always focused on understanding the dog's experience first. She brings decades of hands-on work with dogs across a wide range of behavioral challenges and a deep commitment to helping owners and trainers think more clearly about the "why" behind the methods they use.
Lisa Bataska
Lisa joins Nancy to bring her own perspective on training philosophy, client education, and the real-world application of science-informed methods. Together, they approach this topic as educators — not advocates for any single method, but as people genuinely interested in what the evidence supports.
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