About
Leash Lore explains force-free dog training step by step, for everyday problems like barking, biting, pulling on the leash, trouble being alone, puppies and house training.
Who is behind Leash Lore
Jose Weidson da Silva Soares, Editor & Researcher.
Jose Weidson da Silva Soares is the editor of Leash Lore. He researches and organizes force-free, positive-reinforcement training methods from veterinary behavior organizations and published research, and turns them into clear, testable step-by-step guides. He lives in Brazil with his dog, Laguna.
What this site is, and what it isn't
Leash Lore is an editorial project. Its guides compile and explain force-free training methods recommended by authoritative sources: veterinary behavior organizations such as the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), the American Kennel Club (AKC), veterinary hospitals and animal welfare organizations, and published research.
The editor is not a professional dog trainer, behaviorist or veterinarian, and the guides don't describe client cases or personal training results. They can't assess your individual dog, and they don't replace a qualified trainer, a behavior professional or your veterinarian, who can see your dog in person.
We may add review by a certified trainer or a veterinary professional in the future. If a guide has been reviewed, the reviewer's name will appear at the top of that guide. Until then, no guide claims expert review.
Our approach: force-free, reward-based
Every method on this site is force-free: dogs learn what to do because the right behavior is rewarded, and the situations that trigger problem behavior are changed. We don't recommend shock, prong or choke collars, "alpha rolls", or any technique that relies on pain, fear or intimidation.
This isn't just a preference. The AVSAB recommends reward-based methods for all dog training, and research comparing training methods has linked aversive techniques with more stress behaviors in dogs. Our guides link those sources so you can read them yourself.
How each guide is made
- Start from a real question. We pick topics owners actually search for and ask about, and we answer the main question in the first few lines.
- Check the evidence. We read guidance from veterinary behavior organizations, veterinary hospitals, animal welfare groups and, where it exists, peer-reviewed research.
- Turn it into steps you can test. The sources' recommendations are broken into small steps with a clear sign of progress, plus the common mistakes and how the approach changes with age or breed.
- Say when to get help. Guides explain when a problem needs a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional rather than home training.
- Review and update. Every guide shows the date it was last updated. We revisit guides when sources change or readers point out problems.
More detail is in our editorial policy.
Sources we rely on
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) position statements
- American Kennel Club (AKC) training and breed resources
- ASPCA behavior resources
- Humane World for Animals (formerly The Humane Society of the United States)
- RSPCA dog behavior advice
- VCA Animal Hospitals' pet health library
- Peer-reviewed research, such as studies published in PLOS ONE
How the site is funded
We earn money through affiliate links, mainly to an online training program we recommend. Affiliate relationships never decide what we advise, and every guide can be followed without buying anything. Read our affiliate disclosure for details.
Questions or corrections? Contact us.