Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive
LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) is a criterion for competency. A LIMA trainer is able to achieve the goals of training while intruding as little as possible on the human-dog relationship and using the minimum amount of aversion necessary.
The term was coined by Steven Lindsay. Lindsay introduced the philosophy of Cynopraxis, which asserts that the goal of all dog training should be enhancing the human-dog relationship and improving the dog’s quality of life. LIMA provides a standard for trainers to use in their pursuit of that goal.
LIMA has been bastardized by certain sectors of the dog training industry
Many trainers and organizations that subscribe to a force-free ideology have attempted to misrepresent LIMA as meaning “no aversives”. Organizations justify the banning of e-collars, prong collars, and other tools by claiming they follow a LIMA policy. This characterization of LIMA ignores the fact that Lindsay himself endorsed aversives in his Handbook of Applied Dog Training and Behavior.
“A device for delivering remote punishment that has considerable usefulness is the remote- activated electronic collar. Remote electronic stimulation provides a means for delivering a well-timed and measured aversive event. In many ways, it represents an ideal positive punisher, having many potential applications in dog training.”
Steven Lindsay. Handbook of Applied Dog Training and Behavior, vol 1.
“aversive procedures are a necessary aspect of dog training and behavior-problem solving that cannot be neglected or substituted for when competent inhibitory control over highly motivated behavior is being established.”
Steven Lindsay. Handbook of Applied Dog Training and Behavior, vol 3.
At Reality K9, we adhere to the true definition of LIMA. Positive reinforcement procedures are always established before aversives are introduced, and functional control made possible by those aversives allow dogs to have more freedom and confidence. This improves the dog’s quality life and enhances the human-dog relationship. In contrast, wasting time on endless force-free procedures in the hopes they will stop committed aggressive behavior has a huge impact on the dog’s life - it won’t fix the issue and the dog will spend most of it’s time in a kennel, isolated from the world.