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Many
different paths for training your pet
August 21,
2008
People seeking advice about dog training quickly discover there are
almost as many schools of thought as there are dog breeds.
There are those who promote tough love, and there are those who
promote total love. Some suggest training reinforced by treats,
while others suggest using indicator signals like clickers.
Some believe simply saying "no" as a form of repeated reinforcement
works, while others will tell you that "no" is mere noise to a dog.
In a wonderful book I'm reading called "Dogs Never Lie About Love:
Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs," author Jeffrey
Moussaieff Masson makes the observation that when you tell a dog
"no," the animal seems to absorb the word "no" so deeply and display
such a strong sense of dejection that it's almost unbearable to use
that command.
And there's the matter of training tools such as collars. There are
more dog collars out there than new breakfast cereals. There's the
martingale collar, the slip-lead collar, the prong collar, choke
chains and choke collars.
Dog personalities also come into play when choosing the best
training method. Some dogs are timid; others are confident. Some
seem eager for training, and others seem totally oblivious to your
commands.
Training methods have entered the arena of reality TV with programs
like the one featuring Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, and "It's Me
or the Dog" with Victoria Stilwell.
Milan has a strong following, but there are those who take issue
with what they view as his confrontational training methods. One
local obedience trainer recently told me that she's concerned that
Milan's methods are akin to the old-school method of training that
emphasizes fear and domination. On the other hand, Stilwell's method
employs positive and consistent reinforcement.
For highly active breeds, like border collies or Jack Russell
terriers, agility training is an ideal way to train because agility
engages their desire to work and is stimulating. It also boosts
their confidence and is simply great fun.
Whatever type of training you employ, obedience training is a
benefit for you and your pet. As Stilwell often demonstrates during
her program, many times humans have to be trained in tangent with
their four-legged companion -- whether it's fear, anxiety or simply
bad habits, we're often the ones who instill them in our furry
friends.
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Gloria Dauphin
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