Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
Professional dog trainers have different philosophies and use various techniques for dog training. If you are considering a career in dog training, it is important to understand the variations in these philosophies to choose a school that offers the program you prefer.
Relationship Building Foundation
The first lesson in dog training school is teaching students how to establish a close relationship with dogs. Our belief is that this can be achieved by consistently engaging in positive interactions with dogs. This creates a strong foundation, making it easier to overcome even the most challenging situations. Additionally, we have discovered that when a proper relationship between dogs and humans is formed, dogs tend to learn more quickly and exhibit fewer undesirable behaviors.
Behavior Shaping
After establishing healthy relationships with their dogs, students can proceed to learn animal training techniques, which encompass luring, shaping, capturing, and molding. These techniques primarily emphasize positive reinforcement in dog training.
One way to train dogs is by using a desirable object, like a toy or treat, to teach them their cues. Similarly, the shaping technique also uses positive reinforcement to teach behaviors in small increments and reward each step until the dog has mastered the behavior.
Dog Training: Positive Reinforcement vs. Alpha Dog Methods
If you mention training methods to a group of dog trainers, be prepared for conflict at the dog park. Some individuals derogatorily refer to those who solely utilize positive reinforcement as “cookie pushers” or “treat slingers.” Conversely, those who employ more dominance-based techniques are labeled as “choke folks” or even worse – as cruel and inhumane.
In today’s time, there is always someone who wishes to quiet down the barking and asserts that it does not necessarily have to be strictly one way or the other.
Cesar Millan, known for his role on National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer, acknowledged that there are differing opinions about his “alpha dog” method. As a result, he sought input from trainers of various backgrounds for his latest book, Cesar’s Rules: Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog.
The book offers various theories and methods to assist dog owners in discovering the most effective approach.
Millan explains to WebMD that it is essential for humans to have choices. He questions how we can set an example if we cannot effectively demonstrate submission amongst ourselves in the canine community.
Below is a brief overview of two prominent dog training styles, along with guidance on how to select a trainer.
All Things Positive
Purely positive reinforcement has gained popularity thanks to trainers like Victoria Stilwell, known for the TV show It’s Me Or The Dog on Animal Planet. This method is also taught by Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, who trained Bo, the Obamas’ dog, and is based in Hume, Va.
The belief is straightforward: Dogs acquire good behavior by receiving rewards for doing well. Additionally, punishment doesn’t necessarily need to involve a severe reprimand or physical force.
According to Sylvia-Stasiewicz, the problem with dominant training and techniques lies in their excessive emphasis on the negative behaviors displayed by dogs, and in their reliance on trial and error to make the animals understand how to avoid punishment.
According to Sylvia-Stasiewicz, you can train a dog without being cruel and focusing on punishment. By using positive reinforcement, not only will you successfully train your dog, but you will also preserve its natural spirit.
Positive reinforcement trainers employ various tools and techniques, such as verbal cues, hand signals, treats, clickers, toys, and games, to effectively modify behavior, rectify undesirable habits, and impart tricks. These trainers utilize both positive reinforcement by offering rewards and negative punishment by withdrawing rewards.
According to her, whatever the dog enjoys and finds pleasure in is acceptable to use for training purposes.
To Knee or Not to Knee?
Sylvia-Stasiewicz, the author of The Love That Dog Training Method, recounts an incident where a client’s Australian shepherd continued jumping despite being reprimanded. In this case, another trainer, who followed a conventional alpha dog approach, instructed the client to knee the dog’s chest whenever it jumped.
Instead of punishing the dog for misbehaving, Sylvia-Stasiewicz instructed the client to only acknowledge the dog when it was sitting. In instances where the dog would jump, the client would either disregard it or face away. However, when the dog sat, it would be rewarded with its preferred treat, a stuffed Kong, or receive praise as an incentive for not jumping. After attending classes for five weeks and practicing regularly, the dog completely ceased its jumping behavior.
Sylvia-Stasiewicz acknowledges that outcomes may take longer when using pure positive reinforcement, but asserts that this approach has successfully rehabilitated even the most challenging “death row dogs,” which were deemed irreparable by some.
Alpha Dog Approach
Trainers who adopt this method may utilize various tools such as choke chains, prong collars, electronic collars commonly referred to as “e-collars.” Additionally, they may employ a technique involving a hand squeeze that imitates a rapid bite, leading to alpha rolls where the dog is forcibly pinned to the ground. Furthermore, these trainers may resort to a process known as “flooding” by subjecting the dog to a substantial amount of something it dislikes.
Some trainers refer to this method as “blended” or “balanced” since it can involve positive reinforcement, such as timely praise and even treats.
Bob Maida, from Yonkers, N.Y., who was responsible for training Ronald Reagan’s dogs, is in favor of Millan’s training philosophy and opposes the idea of uniform or standardized training methods.
Maida expresses her dislike for using the term (alpha dog) as it is a trendy phrase that leads the ‘positive crowd’ to almost criminalize individuals who correct dogs. She believes that balance is necessary, comparing it to cooking. Just like adding too much salt to a dish ruins its taste, an excessive approach is not ideal.
Clients usually come to Maida for assistance with various issues concerning their pets and dogs. These may include dealing with aggression towards people or other dogs, problems with house-training, as well as addressing unruly behavior like pulling on the leash, stealing food, knocking over children and visitors, and causing trouble for “kitty.” Maida has experience training family pets and dogs for film, personal protection, and classified projects.