Tails and Trails Poole

02/04/2025

Another dog walker that I know, trust and love! If you want to see more puppy cuteness, check the Dog Squad Poole fb page out ❤️🐶

21/03/2025

Great news!

New Development: International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Officially Closes the Door on Aversive Dog Training

Another domino has fallen in favor of modern, humane, and scientifically sound dog training methods.

We want to acknowledge the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) for officially moving beyond LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) as their guiding framework and explicitly rejecting the intentional use of positive punishment.

The issue with LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) is that while it was intended to prioritize minimally intrusive, positively reinforcing methods, it still allowed trainers to justify outdated, aversive techniques, like shock collars or prong collars, as a supposed ‘last resort.’

This effectively provided cover for outdated ‘balanced’ training practices, an approach that we now clearly understand is not supported by scientific evidence. IAABC, a prominent global certifying body for behavior consultants, has now recognized this flaw and moved beyond LIMA.

Scientific evidence clearly shows aversive methods, even as a "last resort", don’t address underlying behavior causes; for example, shocking a dog who displays aggression doesn’t change their emotional response, it simply suppresses their communication.

This loophole permitted methods based in pain, fear, and intimidation, methods clearly shown by behavior science to be ineffective at addressing underlying causes of behavior and ethically indefensible.

To be clear, LIMA is not a framework endorsed by credible behavior science. In 2025, it is pseudoscientific by definition because it incorporates unsupported, aversive techniques under certain conditions. The term has become deeply problematic in professional dog training.

True scientific professionals, behavior analysts, and animal welfare experts consistently affirm that methods using aversive tools or techniques are unnecessary, ineffective long-term, and detrimental to animal welfare.

By adopting an explicitly ethical framework, IAABC has joined organizations like the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) in setting a clearer, science-based standard.

Today, only a small number of certifying organizations still explicitly allow aversive training methods or cling to the ambiguous and outdated LIMA standard.

Quick update on major certifying bodies stance on aversives:

The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) remains committed to force-free, modern methods. https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/about-us/position-statements/

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) now explicitly rejects intentional aversive methods under their new ethical framework. https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/iaabc-free/

Association for Professional Dog Training International (APDTI) retains the term LIMA (“Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive”), and even explicitly states that aversive methods are not justified "in lieu of other effective positive reinforcement interventions and strategies." However, their guidelines do not categorically prohibit aversive methods, leaving open the possibility of their use when trainers determine other interventions are “ineffective”. This lack of absolute clarity can lead to confusion and indicates APDTI would benefit from adopting explicitly force-free terminology. https://apdt.com/membercertificant-announcement/?highlight=LIMA

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Inc. (CCPDT) still permits aversive methods as a “last resort”. Their outdated position is clearly at odds with current behavioral science, leaving significant room for improvement if CCPDT aims to gain credibility as a leading certifying organization. https://www.ccpdt.org/about-us/standards-practice-code-ethics/

20/03/2025

Flying fursday ✈️🐶

19/03/2025

A little photo dump catch up 🐶❤️

08/03/2025

So cool to get involved with this this morning 🙌🏼 Well done Harbour Tails Dog Walking 🐶

Thank You lovely people for attending my recall foundations classes today. These classes were held to help prepare me for my upcoming The IMDT assessments. Look forward to seeing tomorrows students 💙💖😊
P.s. Happy International Women's Day!!!

Shout out to fellow dog walking professionals for their help : Jess South Coast Dogs , Laura Tails and Trails Poole and Naiomi at Here Boy ###xx

08/03/2025

Happy International Women’s Day to some of the strongest, most resilient and hard working women I know! ❤️🐶

07/03/2025

06/03/2025

EDIT> as of 7/3/25 this boy still hasn’t been claimed. Still currently with emergency vet care in Poole but will be taken on by the Dorset council dog wardens later this morning.

>>> **POOLE PRACTICE**
This chap has been brought in to us, found on beacon hill, broadstone.

His chip is not registered.

Proof of ownership will be needed.

Please call 01202 051141

22/02/2025

TTP has had some tough news this week 💔 One of our long standing clients is terminally poorly. Whilst I absolutely LOVE my job, this part is horrendous. We become so attached to the dogs that we walk, learn so much about them and form our own bonds so when one is sick, it’s heartbreaking.
The owner and I have been in communications about how best to proceed moving forward but in the meantime, please keep this beautiful little girl in your thoughts. She is the sweetest ❤️

29/01/2025

This week so far 🥰🐶

24/01/2025

Beach walkies to end a great week 🙌🏼🐶❤️

21/01/2025

Tuesday’s trails with the team ❤️🐶

15/01/2025

Little floof faces 🥰🐶