These days there is quite a myriad of training approaches and philosophies. Many dog owners in a search to do right by their families and dogs, search the web, books, magazines and ask their friends for help and guidance. They often receive conflicting information. After talking with and watching a trainer in action, people often get a much better sense of what trainers and methods appeal to them and what makes the most sense for their dog and current situation. I encourage people to carefully interview potential teachers and to never do anything to their dog that someone else recommends that seems inappropriate. There are cases where people have followed the advice of an ill-informed "expert" with disastrous results. Trust your instincts when choosing a trainer and behavior specialist. Philosophy Since 1977, I have experienced a wide variety of training approaches including the "do-nothing" approach, the more traditional dominance-based training with choke-chains, the purist positive-only approach and everything in-between. I help my students make sense of it all. I guide people to understand things more from the dog's perspective, so that they can more consciously and effectively influence their dog's behavior. I teach about the Dominance Theory - it's helpfulness as well as it's shortcomings and about the Resource Theory and it's usefulness in teaching day-to-day good manners. While I believe that we need to be in charge and be our dog's guide and leader, this leadership approach should not include misguided bullying that people sometimes fall into when following their understanding of dominance theory. Any being - dog or human - who respects another, still has to be taught how to do a certain task and to deal with their own emotions and challenges. A first grader may respect their teacher, though they still need more education before they understand calculus. A tennis pro who is at the top of their game, still needs help of a different sort if they are afraid in front of an audience. Take a dog who respects their owner and knows come when called. In certain circumstances this dog will need extra guidance. If they are highly sensitive to sound and motion and they chase cars past their property, they will need specific desensitization and counterconditioning exercises to redirect them away from that bad habit. And the dog who is leash-reactive around other dogs or is afraid of strangers is not expressing a lack of respect, but rather their own internal emotional and mental state that needs to be addressed from the inside out. All of these behaviors may be aggravated by punishment and "proving dominance." These and other behavioral problems, need a broader understanding of behavior modification techniques including classical and operant conditioning. I teach my students how to alter their dog's mindset step-by-step, and therefore change the resulting problematic behaviors. I do find that as a good foundation to this behavioral work, the owner needs to strengthen their handling and leadership skills too. How is one to do this? Methods DOGS DO WHAT WORKS FOR THEM!! I began hearing this from one of my mentors over 10 years ago and I continue teaching dog-human teams about it's wonderful application in the training process. If a dog is doing something that the owner is trying to stop, in some way without meaning to, that person may be rewarding and reinforcing the undesirable behavior. For example, perhaps when the dog jumps up for attention, the owner pushes them off or scolds them. With touch, words and eye contact, the dog has received what they demanded - attention. For many dogs, what the owner thinks of as scolding, to the dog it's, "Oh goodie, mom just looked at and talked to me!" Most dogs would prefer this to being ignored. I Help People to:
behavior. This can be called a "learn to earn" (which if done correctly is different from bribery) and sit to say "please" program of deference in their dog's day-to-day life. People are then teaching their dog to be a well-behaved member of the family without force or aggression. We can be loving and affectionate all while setting limits and following through on consequences. 2) Teach new commands in ways that make sense to their dog. Once the command is learned and strengthened in various circumstances, (i.e. proofed) a command is given only once. 3) Learn how to know when not enough is being asked of their dog and to know when something is too far beyond their dog's skill set and will end up in frustration and failure. Training step-by-step. 4) Understand and effectively use reinforcement, punishment and prevention in humane ways. 5) Use attention work effectively, even with distractions. 6) Learn how to improve their timing of feedback to their dog. Use proactive training, instead of reactive training, which happens after the fact. With proactive work, owners anticipate their dog's next move and begin to affect their dog's thought before the dog fully carries out the thought into action. Contact me and we can discuss you and your dog, your questions, needs and concerns. Thank you! |
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Contrary to myths surrounding a throw-down or alpha rollover, a dominant dog or
wolf doesn't throw another dog down, a subordinate shows their belly and offers a
submissive posture on their own. Usually an inhibited muzzle bite or a body block is
offered by the dominant dog to control space or a certain resource, and to correct a
subordinate.
In addition to being a clear, loving and firm leader and following through on
discipline, which is different from starting a fight with a dog, the Resource Theory
approach is extremely effective in training good manners. We have control of almost
everything our dogs want and a dog owner can impact their dog's access to these
desired things based upon their dog's behavior and performance. For example, a sit
and eye contact earns dinner or an open door, a sit without pawing, nudging or
barking can be rewarded with attention and petting. A loose leash walk is rewarded
with forward movement, a respectful sit and wait earns the toy or the toss of the ball.
This is also called "learn to earn," "sit to say 'please,'" or "nothing in life is free."
wolf doesn't throw another dog down, a subordinate shows their belly and offers a
submissive posture on their own. Usually an inhibited muzzle bite or a body block is
offered by the dominant dog to control space or a certain resource, and to correct a
subordinate.
In addition to being a clear, loving and firm leader and following through on
discipline, which is different from starting a fight with a dog, the Resource Theory
approach is extremely effective in training good manners. We have control of almost
everything our dogs want and a dog owner can impact their dog's access to these
desired things based upon their dog's behavior and performance. For example, a sit
and eye contact earns dinner or an open door, a sit without pawing, nudging or
barking can be rewarded with attention and petting. A loose leash walk is rewarded
with forward movement, a respectful sit and wait earns the toy or the toss of the ball.
This is also called "learn to earn," "sit to say 'please,'" or "nothing in life is free."
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Training With Respect & Understanding
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