Update

I was fortunate to spend some more time with this gorgeous girl. She really is growing in confidence and finding her paws!

We tried a different type of harness today - much less tight over the head. No problem at all, she took it in her stride and happily sat for affection and interaction while wearing it.

The next step is introducing a lead in a calm, non-threatening way. It is essential when working with fearful dogs to monitor their body language and take things slowly. It is all to easy to try to push ahead but we need to take into account their individual needs.

We kept the session fairly short today and you can see how tired she was afterwards in the photo below.

What's the difference and why does it matter?

Putting the training myths to bed

Dog Behaviour Clinic only uses positive, relationship centred methods.  We do not believe in using ANY force, pain or fear when training animals. We do not use aversive tools or techniques, we do not use pressure tactics or compulsion.

Some of the criticisms used by "balanced" trainers or “pack leader” trainers::

·         Only using positive reinforcement does not work for some dogs

·         Positive reinforcement is permissive

·         Positive reinforcement means giving food forever

·         There's no discipline. You just shove treats down a dog's throat

Positive reinforcement works for ANY and EVERY dog.  In fact, it works with any animal.

Positive reinforcement is not permissive. Humane discipline is a key part of positive training. But that “discipline” involves teaching a dog to make the right choices by giving them alternatives, not 'correcting' them. 

Treats or play used as a reward for reinforcement can be faded out once behaviours are learned. They are not a permanent feature for the rest of the dog’s life although…….it is still nice to occasional reward a behaviour now and then. It’s a bit like getting a bonus from the boss at work!

I found the following quote on a balanced trainers website

"The problem with the all-positive training method is that you can never teach your dog to obey you simply because you are the "pack leader".  Touch-free training, clicker training... they all involve coaxing, luring with treats and simply put - pleading for your dog to listen."

The main elements in the balanced dog training method are negative correction and positive reinforcement.  Dogs live for the moment, so both reward and correction must be for the moment, too. For negative correction, we use "startle tactics".  A simple, humane leash and collar correction (which is tight for only 1 second) is given, NOT hitting the dog or yelling "Bad dog!" The objective is to startle the dog in the midst of the undesirable behaviour. "

Sadly, they clearly do not understand the concepts of learning theory, scientific research or for that matter - dog behaviour!

Let's examine their "theory" step by step.

1. "you can never teach your dog to obey you simply because you are the "pack leader"  

Of course we can't and we would not want to. We will never be a pack leader to our dogs. A pack is a group of related same species animals! The true meaning of the word “pack” implies, those that are born into the social group. Dogs kept as pets live in a family unit with us. They also know we are not of the same species!

2. "Touch-free training, clicker training... they all involve coaxing, luring with treats and simply put - pleading for your dog to listen."

We do not coax - we reward and reinforce the wanted behaviour.  Would you go to work if your boss stopped paying you?  We certainly do not lure - luring is outdated and not force free. We capture wanted behaviour.

3. "The main elements in the balanced dog training method are negative correction and positive reinforcement."

Negative correction - there is no such term.  I think the writer actually meant negative reinforcement and positive punishment.

Negative reinforcement (-R) is a term described by B. F. Skinner in his theory of operant conditioning. In negative reinforcement, a response or behaviour is strengthened by stopping, removing, or avoiding a negative outcome or aversive stimulus. Aversive stimuli tend to involve some type of discomfort, either physical or psychological. 

Positive punishment - (+P) is a term described by B. F. Skinner in his theory of operant conditioning. Adding something that makes the behaviour less likely to be repeated.  “Positive” refers to adding something.  For example, a dog pulls on his lead while walking.  The owner adds an abrupt jerk on his collar. The dog may momentarily stop pulling. 

4. "Dogs live for the moment, so both reward and correction must be for the moment, too. For negative correction, we use "startle tactics".  A simple, humane leash and collar correction (which is tight for only 1 second) is given,"

Startle......! What they fail to mention is that startling a dog can lead to very bad consequences. Anxiety, stress, fear and even aggression.  Why force a dog to behave when we can get the same result without affecting the handler/owner relationship and causing another unwanted behaviour?

Let's look at this from the human point of view.  Your boss at work asks you to stay on beyond your paid hours to finish an urgent job.  What would influence you to do it?  Time off in lieu?  Extra money? Additional holiday? Or would you do it because he threatened you - docking your hours, ending your employment?

Dr Rachel Casey, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Bristol University, said:  

“The blanket assumption that every dog is motivated by some innate desire to control people and other dogs is frankly ridiculous.  It hugely underestimates the complex communicative and learning abilities of dogs. It also leads to the use of coercive training techniques, which compromise welfare and actually cause problem behaviours."

The use of leash jerks, choke and prong collar corrections, and use of electric shock might stop the behaviour temporarily, but what are you really teaching the dog?  All you have done is temporarily suppress the unwanted behaviour. There is nothing "balanced" about a dog that is in a state of learned helplessness after being constantly corrected or has become anxious or fearful of you.

Another term often bandied about is LIMA. LIMA stands for Least Intrusive Method Available.  In other words, it is a blanket statement that really means if positive methods don’t work we can use whatever does work….! If positive reinforcement has not worked it is our job to find out why. Did we start the training in a low distraction place? Is the dog unwell or injured? Is he tired? Is he anxious about something? Have we been clear in our communication?

Research clearly shows that that punitive training methods harm dogs and cause unintended behavioural fallout. Science has proven that R+/operant conditioning/positive reinforcement/shaping/clicker training/capturing is superior in teaching animals and aids in their learning.

Ziv G 2017. The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review. Journal Of Veterinary Behavior

Cooper J et al 2014. The Welfare Consequences and Efficacy of Training Pet Dogs with Remote Electronic Training Collars in Comparison to Reward Based Training. PLOSone

Blackwell et al 2007. The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Herron, M.E., F.S.Shofer and I.R. Reisner (2009) Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesirable behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117:47-54.

Hiby, E.F et al  2004. Dog training method: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare

Mental stimulation

We are great believers in using mental stimulation for our dogs and believe it is essential for their well being.

However, we need to think carefully about the type of stimulation we use.  Every dog is an individual and will enjoy different types.

Also, we often focus on lots of "doing" stuff. We need to keep them active, occupied....tired!! Yes we need to occupy them which will tire them but.....this doesn't necessarily mean business.

Calm stimulation is just as beneficial - lets get those noses twitching.

My senior girl is struggling with the heat, as are many dogs. She finds it quite draining too.  We waited until well into the evening last and sat outside for a bit.

Watch carefully how she uses her nose in the video below.....

Think of having to spend a day without access to the internet - no emails, no Facebook....! Sniffing could be said to be a dogs equivalent!  Spud was clearly enjoying catching up with the neighbourhood gossip!

Aggression training weekend

We were fortunate to work with a number of "student" behaviourists over the weekend, discussing all things aggressive!  Obviously, for health and safety reasons and for the sake of the dogs, we are unable to work hands-on with people reactive dogs.

Instead, we spent some time with a fearful dog and a dog whose excitement ramps up from zero to ten in seconds.

She chose to approach strangers

Although initially wary, through using the four C's - Calm, Connection, Choices she chose to approach everyone and accept treats in a Confident way.

Really lovely work by everyone, managing their own behaviour and body language, giving her plenty of space and choice.

How do we work with dogs?  What do we actually do?

The easiest way to explain is the four C’s. These are foundations upon which other things can be built. We all know that shaky foundations can cause things to break down so having a solid foundation is essential

We teach CALM.  If a dog is not calm, he cannot learn, he does not feel good. Feeling calm needs to feel good.

We look for CONNECTION next.  Having connection is so much better than needing control. Connection needs to feel really good too.  We don’t use cues, we don’t hold treats up to our eyes saying “Watch me” we don’t call the dog. We actually stay silent until we get the connection and then we praise and reinforce.

Where do choices come in?  By giving our dogs choices it actually increases their confidence.  We control so much of our dog’s lives; when they get up, when they eat, when they exercise, where they sleep, where they walk etc.  Some things we do need to control – we cannot just let our dogs out alone and we have various responsibilities such as work, family etc. But by providing choices where we can, will help reduce stress and anxiety. 

Choice helps build resilience and self-confidence – we can provide choice in so many ways. When we leave the house, which way does the dog want to walk, left or right? Where does he prefer to sleep – multiple resting places and beds allows dogs to choose where to sleep. Dogs that are anxious about nail trimming, veterinary treatment etc can be empowered by using techniques such as Chirag Patel’s Bucket Game or Chin Targeting. These dogs can cope better with their individual stressors, knowing they will be listened to and begin to feel more confident.

If we have the four C’s in place, we can then begin working on the individual issues.

Update on introducing a harness

We decided to use a harness slightly bigger than necessary to avoid any tightness over her head. No signs of stress or anxiety!

She loves her time in the paddocks so Greenpeace Kennels are going to use a lead to take her to the paddock and let her run free back to her kennel (which is how they have been working with her, avoiding the need for a harness). We will leave the harness on her for a while so that she gets used to the feel of it.

New additions to the enrichment summerhouse

Why doing less is actually more

When we work with dogs, it is essential to go at their pace. Often, we are in a rush to "fix" things and make progress. This will often backfire because we end up "flooding" the dog or causing even more of a problem.

Confidence is so important, as is choice. If we try to force a dog to do something we can actually increase the fear and anxiety.

We decided to do some training in one of the paddocks - lots of room for her to move around. We also increased the number of people around her, allowing her to choose to interact or stay away.

We look for calm, confident behaviour when allowing choices. Just look at how relaxed she is after choosing to come forward for affection and interaction with all three of us.