BY FRAN JEWELL
In the past 20 years, dog training has taken a dramatic change of direction. Much of it is definitely for the better. We once used very a militaristic approach to dog training. Most of training told the dog what not to do and letting him guess what he should be doing. Dogs worked out of fear of punishment instead of joy of reward.
Now, the dog-training pendulum has shifted from all negative/punishment to only positive reinforcement. The change has been phenomenal. So many dogs are much happier.
However, then there is the dog that has learned that he can choose to not do something like “come” when he is called and nothing bad ever happens. In fact, he learns that if he ignores the “come” command, he can continue to play with another dog, or bark at a stranger on the trail, chase the deer, or chase the car. In the dog’s mind, those behaviors are more important and rewarding than any pork chop you hang around your neck to reward him with!
The truth of the matter is that in every society, every society, there must be rules. There must be clear consequences for unacceptable behavior. In our human society, we get speeding tickets for going over the speed limit. For more serious infractions, we might go to jail possibly for a lifetime.
In the dog world, if one dog disrespects another, the dog being mugged may very well growl or snap at the aggressor, letting it know the behavior is unacceptable.
The point is that in every society there are rules to keep society safe for all, even the dog/human relationships.
I hear every day how people are reading on the Internet about how they should never reprimand a puppy for going potty in the house, or that aggressive behavior can be changed by only giving rewards for good behavior. If you can’t stop the bad behavior so you can replace it with the more desirable behavior, then the bad behavior continues and continues. If a dog’s fear is stronger than his desire for food or petting, he will continue to protect himself if he feels threatened.
If you took a test in school and missed 10, but no one ever told you which ones you missed or where to find the correct answers, would you feel frustrated or stressed?
Unfortunately, the dog-training pendulum has gone from one extreme to the other. In the past, all the information we gave the dog was discipline. Now, the only information we give the dog is positive and he has no idea about what he should not do!
Isn’t there a middle ground? Can’t we adjust our training for the needs and personality of the dog? Some dogs simply need more direction than others. Most dogs do need to know something is not acceptable. Some do succeed with only positive reinforcement.
It is my contention that not just one training method fits all dogs. Some dogs need more leadership and direction than others. I think in order for dogs to feel more secure and confident, they need their owners to be confident to say both “yes” and “no.” Doing so simply gives the dog more information and ultimately more comfort in our environment.
When I hear that a “balanced” dog trainer is someone you don’t want to go to, I have to ask myself why? Saying “no” is not abusive unless you do some kind of punishment that is abusive. A consequence or punishment does not have to be abusive, just like a speeding ticket is not abusive if you are speeding. When I hear that you should not trust an instructor that uses the most effective, fair and honest training method for each dog, I really question that!
Be secure enough in yourself and your love for your dog that you do say “no” in a way that is appropriate to stop an unwanted behavior, especially a behavior that is life-threatening. You won’t lose your friendship with your dog. In fact, it will help your dog feel more confidence in you and trust you even more!
Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.