Our Philosophy

Canine Conservatory Philosophy

Kurt Burk has developed an intraspecies comparative behavior analysis approach to teaching dogs and their humans. Through simple human analogies, he hopes to clarify complex concepts without anthropomorphizing. He truly believes in helping his clients become the best dog trainer for their own dogs. He also believes that now, more than ever, in person or online, real life interactions are the best way to make a true connection and difference with his students.

We teach dogs and humans what TO DO verses what NOT TO DO. Learn your dogs habits to be ahead of the game. Redirect your dog to desirable behaviors before they get a chance to learn undesirable behaviors. Act. Don't React.

Here's what your dog and you will learn at Canine Conservatory

  • Charging the Marker signal

  • Release Cues & Keep Going Signals

  • The name of the dog & its power.

  • Follow Hand Target

  • Wait & No

  • Settle & Stay

  • Recall

  • Lay Down, Sit, Stand, Pretty

  • Spin & Twist

  • Go + (pointing) & Look

  • Go + Place, Mat, Out

  • Various walking methods

  • Heel & Side

  • Paws up & Off

  • Hup Up

  • Touch Nose to Target

  • Shake & Paw

  • Back up, Roll Over

Learn how a dog teacher thinks when solving problems

10 Laws of Shaping

Here are the 10 Laws of Shaping from Karen Pryor's "don't shoot the dog"

1. Raise criteria in small increments

Progress happens through micro-steps. If you jump too far ahead, you’ll lose the behavior.

2. Train one criterion at a time

Don’t mix variables (duration, distance, distraction). Isolate what you’re teaching.

3. Put the current behavior on a variable schedule before raising criteria

Reinforce consistently at first, then vary reinforcement to strengthen the behavior.

4. When introducing a new criterion, temporarily relax the old one

If you add distance, ease up on duration. Let the learner succeed in the new dimension.

5. Stay ahead of your learner

Plan your next steps so you’re not reacting late or confusing the progression.

6. Don’t change trainers midstream

Consistency matters. Different timing or mechanics can disrupt learning.

7. If behavior deteriorates, go back to a previously successful level

Regression isn’t failure—it’s information. Return to where success was clear.

8. End sessions on a high note

Finish with success, not frustration. This builds momentum for the next session.

9. If one shaping procedure isn’t working, find another

Flexibility is part of good teaching. Change your approach, not the learner.

10. Don’t interrupt a shaping session unnecessarily

Flow matters. Keep momentum and focus while the learner is engaged.

The actual definitions, uses, and best practices for Positive Reinforcement, Negative Punishment , Positive Punishment, Negative Reinforcement - hint the first two are the kindest and most effective.

The “four quadrants” come from the work of B. F. Skinner and describe how consequences change behavior.

Here’s the clean breakdown:

The Four Quadrants of Operant Conditioning

1. Positive Reinforcement (R+)

Add something → behavior increases

  • You add a reward after a behavior

  • The behavior becomes more likely

  • Examples:

    • Treat for recall

    • Tug after a “down”

    • Release to sniff (Premack in action)

This is the foundation of force-free training and relationship building.

2. Negative Reinforcement (R−)

Remove something → behavior increases

  • You remove an unpleasant stimulus when the behavior happens

  • The behavior becomes more likely

  • Examples:

    • Pressure on leash stops when dog moves toward you

    • Dog sits → tension disappears

Often misunderstood—this is still about increasing behavior, just via relief.

3. Positive Punishment (P+)

Add something → behavior decreases

  • You add something aversive

  • The behavior becomes less likely

  • Examples:

    • Leash correction for pulling

    • Loud noise to stop barking

Suppresses behavior, but often adds side effects (fear, avoidance, fallout).

4. Negative Punishment (P−)

Remove something → behavior decreases

  • You remove something the dog wants

  • The behavior becomes less likely

  • Examples:

    • Game ends if tug rules are broken

    • Attention removed for jumping

Clean, low-risk way to reduce behavior when paired with R+.

The Simple Grid

Add something

Remove something

Increase behavior

Positive Reinforcement

Negative Reinforcement

Decrease behavior

Positive Punishment

Negative Punishment

How this fits your style of training

Your approach naturally leans toward:

  • Heavy R+ (food, play, movement, environment)

  • Strategic P− (ending access, removing opportunity)

  • Minimal or no use of aversive-based quadrants

That’s what creates:

  • Faster learning

  • Cleaner stimulus control

  • Stronger relationship

  • Dogs that choose behaviors, not avoid consequences. 

Reach out and say hi. Kurt loves all animals, even the most difficult one. THe human.