Positive Training
Why train? If dogs are indeed enlightened spiritual beings, why should we have to "train" them at all?
What comes to mind when you think about training? Are you visioning dragging the dog around the ring on a choke chain, "making him mind" by yanking and pulling? If so, lose the image right now!
For most people, training is the first line of communication with the dog, so it would follow that, if you're interested in establishing a deep relationship, communication should represent a positive experience. After all, you can't build friendship by constantly shouting at someone, can you? That's what you do with punishment-based "training." And frankly, it doesn't help you grow, either.
As children we had no trouble seeing "imaginary friends" (spirit guides) or talk to pets, if we had them. But those things were labeled as "not real" or "silly," right? So we "lost" - hid deep inside - these abilities in order to conform. Now we're being called upon to once again examine that area.
When you can accept the dog as a spiritual being come here to have a physical experience just like we have, it becomes easier to acknowledge that positive communication with this other species must be the basis of our interactions. Positive training opens an energetic channel that goes both ways, if only we allow it.
The dog enjoys interacting with us, offering behaviors that please us, whether simply appropriate for the situation, or something fun. He doesn't have to worry about getting hurt, so any interaction becomes pleasant to both dog and human. This then lays the groundwork for us, intuitively, receiving the guidance from the spiritual being, as well as allowing the dog to experience whatever healing or resolution of past issues he requires.
This site isn't about training, but we'll post some articles to get you going, as well as links in the resources section