Dog Training Techniques
Different Dog Training Methods
Traditional dog training methods
Traditional dog training methods are based on the old approach used by the military. Based on the theory of hierarchy and dominance which offers a very punitive approach, these methods, unfortunately, do not take into account the sensitivity of each animal, the latest scientific discoveries, and the needs of our dogs which are destined to be life companions.
When the wars ended, the former soldiers responsible for training the dog breed began to offer courses to the general public. Choke, electric, and spike collars are the vestige of this outdated educational formula.
However, it is not the army or even the people who used these techniques that are to blame, rather it is the society that prioritized education based on repression.
The educational methods used to teach and rehabilitate humans have changed, and so have those for dogs. The social sciences have enabled us to understand that prevention and education are much better tools than fear, submission, and punishment.
The effectiveness of positive reinforcement education
There are two reasons why a dog produces a behavior: because it will be rewarded if it complies, or punished if it does not.
Learning without mistakes using friendly techniques is possible… and much more effective! Time and time again, scientific research has shown - in both animals and humans - exceptional returns in the use of positive and progressive methods of learning.
The strengths of positive education *
- Minimizes the number of errors during learning
- Reduces the time spent learning a skill
- Reduces future mistakes, because they have never been practiced
- Creates less frustration, stress, and aggression
- Does not turn off certain behaviors that might be desirable
- Does not create a conditioned emotional response related to punishment for any part of the behavior or task
- Does not create an emotional reaction associated with punishment to coach or the location of training
You are probably familiar with the methods of positive psychology which state, with studies to back it up, that focusing on our strengths drives us more towards success and achievement than the opposite. Let's share it with Pitou, who, after all, asks only to learn and to be guided!
For a rich human-dog relationship where everyone thrives
Based on a modern and friendly approach to educating our animals, we enable them to reach and exploit the full potential they have to offer us. Highly motivated by these respectful learning methods, the canine individual always comes to want to give us more: our presence becomes in itself a powerful gratification.
Approaches based on punishment, domination, and intimidation only create unnecessary tensions that can lead to abandonment… Or euthanasia!
Hierarchy and the pack principle in wolves and dogs
This theory that everyone has long considered being of indisputable accuracy is in fact ... Very questionable!
Issued at the end of the sixties by David Mech regarding the Alpha wolf would be wrong, its author himself would have refuted it!
To continue, it makes no sense to think that an animal's current behavior can be accurately defined by that of a related species: do we have social interactions similar to those of bonobos or chimpanzees?
Hierarchy exists
It is contextual and situational: it is in constant flux and depends on the environment, the issues, and the individuals in interaction. One dog will gain the upper hand over another based on their preferences and motivations. It should be understood, however, that all dogs have different preferences and limitations so that an individual can be "dominant" in one case and "submissive" in the other.
Alexandra HOROWITZ, Doctor of Cognitive Sciences, is a teacher and researcher in the Department of Animal Psychology at Barnard College in New York.
Here are some excerpts from his book "In the skin of a dog":
“Principles of training and scientific studies are at odds. Many trainers base their relationship with dogs on an analogy with the wolf. Scientists know little about the wolf's natural behavior, and what little they do know often contradicts the basis of this analogy. "
“The analogy with the organization of the pack keeps a great attraction for many, especially if the man is placed in the role of the dominant. "
“The notion of a pack gives us a comfortable framework when we are hesitating about how to manage a canine presence. "
“In the wild, packs are practically only related individuals: they are families, not groups of similar vying for the place of dominance. "
The punitive act or "how to shoot yourself in the foot"
The human, blinded by the fallacious promise that being the “pack leader” of his dog will bring him respect and obedience, allows himself to use different forms of physical and psychological intimidation.
When the evidence that the hierarchy theory is inconsistent jumps in our face, it becomes difficult to justify the emotional and bodily abuse inflicted on our animals to be better obeyed.
The disadvantages associated with this form of education:
- Higher risk of aggression since the dog's stress level, needs, and appeasement signals are not respected
- Sometimes irreversible emotional sequelae (see a state of acquired distress )
- The Human-dog relationship strained since it is based on confrontation
Why do dog trainers use punitive methods?
Most coaches working with traditional educational methods are mostly poorly informed:
- Some educators have been working in the dog world for many years, but have not updated the information, techniques, and theories on which the courses are based.
- The training schools offering training of dog handlers (or dog trainer) train new generations of "specialists" in canine behavior who then transmit this erroneous information to their clients themselves.
HUMAN FACTORS LIMITING THE USE OF CURRENT TRAINING METHODS
It is very difficult to change habits, perceptions, and mentalities ...
Cognitive dissonance: "When circumstances cause a person to act in disagreement with their beliefs, that person will experience an uncomfortable state of tension called dissonance, which, subsequently, will tend to be reduced, for example by a change in their beliefs in life. the meaning of the act. " **
For example :
- People who sell guns often think their product is used to protect (not attack, kill)
- Those who represent snuff companies advocate free choice for everyone (while nicotine is addictive)
- And, in the case of educators using aversive methods, the punishment will be used to "gain respect" and "to teach the dog to ..." (as the dog actually learns to fear and his cognitive skills become greatly diminished. )
The use of "confirmation bias": When we have an opinion on a subject, we are tempted to consult publications, opinions, or films going in the direction of our ideas ... Which has the unfortunate consequence of blinding us by compared to the divergent ideas of our own?
Explain the inexplicable: The use of beliefs to understand the world around us is universal. However, it is important to be able to rationalize when scientific data comes to bring us more coherence and information.
In conclusion
More and more dog trainers promote learning by motivation for the sake of efficiency and ethics. Far from being a simple fad, this way of committing to canine well-being is the result of years of scientific research.
Training your dog respectfully using pleasant methods is far from being a form of permissiveness: preventing unwanted behavior and training each of the behaviors we want requires a lot of rigor and consistency.
On your marks, get set… reward Click The Button below To Reveal Your Dog's Brain Intelligence ...
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