our Dog training philosophy

Types of Animal Training Techniques

In recent years there has been much debate over techniques used for training animals.

Traditionally, all animals were trained through a dominance-style approach; this method requires the animal to show submission to the handler. When using this method the animal is demanded to perform actions when given a command (cue); if the animal ignores the handler or performs the wrong behaviour it is punished. This was the technique traditionally used for circus animals, performing zoo species, working animals, animals used in television and film, competition dogs, as well as pets.

Over the past couple of decades a significant transition in training styles has occurred. Through extensive international research, we now have a far greater understanding of the cognitive abilities of different species, this has allowed better training techniques to be developed. The available research indicates that dominance-style training is not the best approach, and that more modern reinforcement-based techniques are far more appropriate from an animal welfare stance.

Why is obedience important in a dog?

Many people don't feel comfortable with the word OBEDIENT; they feel that is sounds demanding and dominant. However there are times that it is important for our dog to look to us for guidance and be able to reliably respond to our cues. To find out why, click on the link below.

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The Pros and Cons of the Two Most Common Training Approaches (i.e. using aversive stimuli in training, and not using aversive stimuli / punishment as an aspect of training.)

It is a very passionate topic for trainers on both sides. The dominance style trainers and the compulsion-based trainers believe rewards-based training doesn't work reliably enough, whilst the rewards-based trainers think that training approaches that utilize aversive stimuli are unnecessary and potentially cruel / damaging. There are however some facts to consider; both techniques are capable of producing "obedient" dogs, both techniques are capable of producing winning competition dogs, and both techniques are capable of producing dangerous dogs (for completely different reasons).

A lot of people don't like to hear that the traditional dominance and compulsion-based techniques "work", but of course the fact is they do. This is what led to their development in the first place, and this is why they have survived until now. In many less-developed countries, these approaches are still the only technique used in the day-to-day training of working animals and performing animals.

So why change??? Well, we are fortunate to have access to a vast array of scientific research. This research suggests there are better ways; better in terms of faster and more consistent results, better in terms of more enjoyable for the animal, and better in terms of limiting unwanted outcomes such as avoidance, reduction in the dog's overall behavioural repertoire, generating a state of "learned helplessness", incidents of redirected aggression and "without warning" attacks.

A handler definitely has to work harder and be more knowledgeable to successfully train reliable results using rewards-based training. The handler also needs to have better control over their own emotional state; there is no room for frustration or anger in training animals properly using rewards-based training. On the upside, it is more fun for both the handler and the dog. When applied well, this approach produces very reliable behavioural responses and is effective with a much wider range of types of dogs.

So why are the older techniques still in use??? Well, change is difficult and some trainers find the transition to learning a new approach impossible. Perhaps the biggest problem though is a lack of full understanding of the more modern techniques. It is not as simple as delivering praise and food and the dog trains itself! When I speak with most trainers who still use dominance-style training, it is clear they don't fully understand how to implement the more modern strategies; they have either read a little about them and immediately decided they didn't agree, or they have had a small (unsuccessful) trial of using a rewards-based approach, never fully understood the system, and then gone back to the style they are already familiar with. I have never met a trainer who has used both methods successfully, but chooses to use a dominance-style approach.

Separately though, there will always be trainers / handlers that are motivated by feeling a sense of power over their dog; they enjoy being dominant over the animal. These people will never choose to transition to more modern methods, as they will lose the feeling they are looking for from training an animal.

our training techniques

Rewards-based Training

We utilize positive reinforcement based strategies to increase the performance of desired behaviours. We also use management strategies to ensure the dog no longer rehearses any unwanted behaviours. Using this overall approach, allows new (desirable) habits to be created and these eventually override existing (unwanted) behavioral responses.

The rewards that are provided as part of the reinforcement process can include anything that the individual dog finds enjoyable; such as verbal praise, physical interactions, food rewards, playing with a favourite toy, or similar. Typically, at least initially, treats will be used as an aspect of the training process.

Positive-reinforcement is the approach we use and recommend for everything from toilet-training, to politely going through doorways, to not jumping up on visitors, to loose leash walking, to creating relaxation in aggressive, fearful and/or anxious dogs, to training high level competition movements.

Why is obedience important

A dog that can follow human cues is a safe dog and a joy to live with.

Nowadays many people feel uncomfortable about the word OBEDIENT (myself included!).

Traditionally the word was associated not just with animals but children as well; the word "obey" even appeared historically in wedding vows. It is a word that makes many people uneasy, but we need to remember that it is just a word.

One of the most well-known competitive dog sports is called "obedience", yet it can be a fun and fulfilling sport for both dogs and their humans.

Regardless of the word we use, there are occasions where our dogs need to able to reliably respond to our cues.

Three of the important reasons for this are:

Safety
Social requirements
Relaxed home life

SAFETY

The safety aspect is super important. Due to the differences in cognitive abilities between humans and dogs, a human can analyze the danger of certain situations far more accurately. Deferring to our greater ability to analyze risk is necessary for keeping our dogs safe.

SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS

Dogs that can rapidly, accurately, and reliably respond to our cues get to go to more places and do more things.

Our society requires a dog to act in a certain manner when in a public place; no lunging at people, dogs, bicycles, etc.; no jumping up on random strangers; no barking at people walking past; no urinating or defecating in inappropriate places. Dogs that can follow our cues and travel and walk calmly, get to go to more places; this is understandable as their owners feel relaxed and comfortable taking them out in public.

Similarly, even within our home, our dog is more likely to be given the opportunity to socialize with visitors if our dog behaves in a calm manner, and can respond rapidly and accurately to our cues.

An inability to respond to human cues ultimately reduces a dog's enjoyment of life, as they are not often taken

out to fun places and are not involved in social household activities.

RELAXED HOME LIFE

Dogs that cannot reliably respond to our cues can cause a home to be chaotic, this results in a home that is not relaxed, everyone is on edge, items are being destroyed, neighbours are complaining about barking, and/or multiple dogs within the household are fighting. None of this makes for a relaxing and enjoyable home life. The most common reason given when dogs are re-homed or taken to a shelter is "behavioural issues". Behavioural issues are also a common reason for euthanasia. A dog that can reliably respond to our cues is easy to manage and is a joy to share a home with.