"Don't choose a Hobby or Amature Trainer to do a professional's job"
Be cautious of trainers that use treats, clickers, gimmicks, and other inappropriate training aids and methods.
From the Trainer.... "I am writing this in response to the dozens of phone calls I receive everyday from frustrated dog owners who come to realize the clicker-treat reward system doesn't work. I hear the same complaints over and over again, of how the dog still won't listen after weeks of positive reinforcement training. The sad stories go on and on. Anyone can claim to be a trainer. In reality there is less than a handful of genuinely qualified individuals able to render this valuable service. Hopefully this section will provide some insight and comparison."JCM's
When seeking a trainer to help with dog problems, or just to understand the nature of the dog, people are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of advice. In order to make an intelligent decision, find out what can realistically be expected at the end of the training program. If the answers are vague or ambiguous, continue searching.
It seems that in recent years the trend in dog training has been leaning towards a totally non-corrective form of communication. The popular food, clicker, and positive reinforcement methods focus, not on correcting mistakes, but on rewarding desired behavior (ignore the bad, praise the good).
Born out of the 1980's in California, the positive, food, and clicker based reward system, now used by pet store trainers and their spin-off's, was originally designed to encourage "special needs children and the mentally impaired." The goal was to raise self-esteem while ignoring learning disabilities. After seeping into the canine world, and quickly gaining cult status through the myriad of amateur trainers and entertainment based TV shows, the new goal was to raise the "dog's" self-esteem and exclude all else. "Don't tell the dog he's doing wrong, just wait for him to do it sort of right, then reward him." I personally have never seen a dog stop an unwanted behavior without intervention.
When put into perspective this does more for the self-esteem and emotional needs of the human rather than for the benefit of the dog. According to the self proclaimed dog training extremists, any form of correction is judged to be a form of abuse or punishment. Even the simple act of physically guiding the dog's rear end into a sitting position or tugging back on the leash when the dog pulls is considered abusive. They would rather ruin a good dog than do a correction. (Keep in mind the majority of these "trainers" have had one or two pet dogs, or no dogs at all. They know nothing of dog behavior, pack hierarchy, or social structure).
It really depends on what the individual pet owner is seeking.
When gathering information in consideration of taking a Dog Training course, here are some Red Flags.....
•If the trainer references the manual or cue cards every time a question is asked. •When asked how to address a behavior problem the trainer replies that he is having the same problem with his own dog at home. •As claimed, the trainer walks a dog right past pieces of fried chicken tossed on the ground. However, he is holding a similar piece of chicken pressed up against the dogs nose as he walks. •Program does not offer off leash training because of the "leash law." •When wanting to speak to the trainer you are told he is stocking the dog food shelves on isle 9. •Trainer encourages lots of verbal conversation with the dog. •Trainer agrees that dogs are just furry, four legged people. •The trainer blames the owner and the dog when the program fails to produce results.
Some examples of the JCM's style of Traditional Dog Training.
This is how a dog should be taught to heel. The owner is walking upright with the dog in perfect heel position. The dog is working for his owner and is a willing partner. Photo on right shows same dog working off leash 5 weeks into our program.
Even small dogs can be taught to walk nicely on a loose leash.
This is the end result of JCM's 8 week basic training program.
JCM's Dog Training teaches the owner how to communicate with their dog. Following our program, owners form a partnership built on respect. When asked to sit and stay, the dog patiently waits no matter what the distance, distraction, or amount of time. His only reward is praise. Dogs thrive on gaining approval, which motivates then to comply with whatever task is asked of them.
****Class number 3 in our 8 week basic group training program.**** JCM's trained dogs are focused and obedient. Our program gives owners the skills to have and maintain a well trained dog they can be proud of.
JCM's not only teaches the owners how to train their dog to down from a distance, but also how to have the dog stay until he is released.
Class number 4 in our 8 week program. Students are amazed at the progress their dogs make in just few short weeks.
Dog training should be fun and enjoyable, but most of all it should be rewarding. When finishing a training course there should be accomplishment, achievement, and visible results.
In contrast, here are some examples of Positive Reinforcement, treat reward, & clicker training.
Positive Reinforcement method - Owners must walk hunched over with an arsenal of treats in one hand and a treat in the other hand touching the dogs nose to keep him in heel position.
A major problem with food based training is that it creates a hand mouthy dog. Dominate dogs can get outright aggressive when the treats run out. On the right is an actual photo of an owner's hand who instructed her dog to sit using treat based reward. When she did not provide the treat, the dog bit her severely and ran.
This is the end result of Positive Reinforcement-treat-clicker training. When the dog desensitizes to the treats, or something more important comes along, this is what you're left with. It's at this point you realize you have a disobedient, disrespectful, untrained dog.
Always working for the treat, this dog will never sit when asked to without bribery. Fanny pack brimming, trying to get the dog to sit stay would be a lost cause. It's a shame this owner will never experience the true bond of a great dog that would so willingly work as a partner, instead of a beggar.
Positive reinforcement / treat trainer showing an owner how to get their dog to sit. It's obvious all the dog wants is the food and in his mind he's in control. The trainer is nothing more than a food dispenser. Note the other students dog pulling to get a treat as well. This method teaches a total lack of respect.
Another example of treat training. The dog is being given a hand signal to sit, but he is riveted on the other hand containing the treat. He's even pawing at the trainer's hand to get it. I think this is cruel and demeaning to such an obviously intelligent animal.
On the surface this may seem to be a pleasant way to teach the dog down. Unfortunately, the owner will always have to be this close and have a treat handy for the dog to respond. In addition, the dog will never learn to stay.
Every movement made in dog training is read by the dog. If a verbal command is given along with body language, that body language becomes part of the signal. When giving the down command, bending and presenting the food all becomes part of the signal.
This dog cannot be expected to down from a distance and stay because the initial training prevented it. Notice the down signal is given and the trainer even steps forward to encourage the dog to stop. Since the dog has been conditioned to a food reward, he comes in to get the treat instead of going down. The dog is doing exactly what he was trained to do. The trainer is at fault for not teaching the dog correctly.
One more side effect of treat based training.....
It is true that a treat based training program can put extra pounds on the dog. It has been suggested by some trainers to just eliminate the dogs regular meals in exchange. However, if the dog does get fat.... He won't be able to run away. He will always down for you, if you ask him or not. You can leave your front door open and he won't wander off. You don't have to make time to walk him to get his energy out. The benefits go on and on.
Think about this..... What happens when the novelty wears off? When you don't feel like getting the bag of treats, or looking for the clicker. You tell your dog to do something for the sake of doing it and he just looks at you and walks away. Or the dog gets loose.... you run back into the house to get the treats while the dog runs out into the street in front of a car. Without a good basic foundation, this is what you have to look forward to.
The one common theme running through all of these programs is "disorganization." This certainly doesn't benefit the dog or the inexperience owner. Many of these dogs wind up in shelters because they are worse after training than before.
After going through one of these programs, people call and ask me about my private lessons. They all say the same thing....."group doesn't work." What they fail to realize is, they haven't had "group training" to begin with. They have invested in "playtime" where their dogs have learned to become pushy, disrespectful, and outright aggressive.
JCM's group training absolutely works.
Graduation class The best way to determine which dog training program is right for you and your dog is to watch a graduating class.
Below left: The Graduating class from a Positive reinforcement / clicker training program. Notice that all of the students are holding (restraining) their dogs as they struggle to get away.
Below Right: The Graduating class from JCM's basic Obedience Training program. Notice how polished the owners are and how well behaved and obediente the dogs are.
Typical pet store, hobby, and amature training program results.
Typical JCM's training program results.
The other end of the spectrum.
Another training method that has been gaining popularity recently is the use of the Electronic Training Collar, or E-Collar.
These collars have their application. It is a necessary training tool for Field work when the dog has to be controlled from a great distance. However, when used in Basic Obedience, it is overkill. Having used E-Collars on occasion years ago, it soon became apparent of their limitations.
One problem is that these collars are heavy. The dog knows when his is wearing it. No matter how much training you do, when the collar is removed, the dog will revert to his old behavior. For instance, when teaching the dog to come when called. While wearing the collar, the dog will be letter perfect. As soon as the collar comes off, the dog will be gone.
Secondly, you have to carry the remote control with you at all times. In addition, you have to make sure the batteries are working. Also, these collars are fragile, and it's not that long before the electrical components stop working.
Thirdly, the collar cannot be left on. The electrodes will burn holes in the dog's neck.
Lastly, these collars are very expensive. The bottom line is, the dog will never be completely trained with the E-collar system.
In my experience over the years of being a trainer, I have seen a countless number of methods and techniques arise. A full array of human psychology indiscriminately applied to dog behavior and dog training. However, through all of these designer training fads, dog to dog communication has remained the same. The dogs mind has been pre-programmed over millions of years to communicate effectively with its own kind. For instance, a puppy doesn't have to be taught to roll on his back in submission and avoid eye contact in the presence of a dominate adult. Dog training cannot be based on human psychology. Most people can't think in "dog terms," as dog psychology is foreign to them. Human psychology is used as a substitute. Human thoughts, emotions, feelings and values all applied to the dog. In a desperate attempt to humanize the dog, owners and trainers alike don't realize the psychological damage being done. The closer the dog is trained from his own point of view, the quicker he will understand and the faster he will learn. There are consequences to everything we do in this world. The same is true in the animal world. So why do trainers train with this sense that everything has to be positive to the point of being angelic? When dog training becomes sugar coated, the dog is the one who suffers. Getting mixed signals and confusing messages only intensifies anxiety. Not to sound cliche, but from my perspective it is like putting a square peg in a round hole. Training methods will come and go, but the dogs way of understanding will always remain the same. My training method is solidly based on dog psychology, and that will never change.
Dogs are opportunists. If you give them power, they will take it. Dogs enforce their dominance or "Alpha" status through aggressive and possessive behavior.
Positive Reinforcement and food based training programs create dominate aggressive behavior which is responsible for causing more dogs to be euthanized than overcrowding in the animal shelters.
The Hobby or Amature pet trainer, who may lack experience and knowledge of dog psychology, will tell you that traditional training aids and methods are taboo, and that positive training is the correct, and only way to train. The hobby trainer looks at the choke chain and pinch collar and declares that these are torture devices. What else can they be? Surly, these objects can't be beneficial, but only cruel and inhumane. Just like the average pet owner, hobby trainers make assumptions based solely on face value with no, or incorrect, knowledge of their use and function. The hobby trainer's positive food based system may initially gain some leverage with the general pet population. We all know the average dog owner doesn't want to be "mean" to their pet. The novice trainer will show the pet owner a pinch collar and gasp right along with them, validating their fear and disgust. They boast that through their positive motivation training, any dog can be manipulated into being the well mannered pet that's a pleasure to own. It's true they may have some success with a docile dog that really didn't need much training to begin with. When confronted with a difficult dog or one with behavior problems, however, the hobby trainer will either inform the owner that the dog is not trainable (after making matters worse), or simply won't take the dog for training at all.
Professional trainers have a different view of the situation.
The professional trainer knows the hobby trainer's attempt to actually train dogs will fall far short of the intended goal. They also know and understand the value of training aids and there proper use and application.
It is the veteran professional dog trainer who gets the dozens of predictable phone calls everyday from frustrated dog owners when the treat reward system fails. The veteran trainer hears the same complaints from owners, over and over again, about how their dog still doesn't listen after weeks of positive reinforcement training. They complain that the dog continues to drag them down the street while using the "kind" training harness and toting their fanny pack brimming with treats. They complain that the door was left open and now the dog is running wild and refuses to come despite the treat. They complain that the dog will sit and lie down in a quiet environment under close control, but still has to be put in another room when company arrives. The sad stories go on and on. These owners reach the point when they feel that they have no choice but to surrender their dog to the traditional trainer and "questionable training devices." They look away, awaiting the corrections that are now deemed necessary to get the dog under control.
But in reality, the dog owner soon realizes that the training devices and method of the veteran obedience trainer aren't cruel at all. In fact, they are elated to see their out of control dog transformed right before their eyes. Training begins to make sense. The owner is happy, and, more importantly, the dog is happy.
It is at this point that the dog owner realizes that this form of training is based on experience, and understanding. It is the veteran instructor's practical approach to training that ensures successful results. The veteran trainer knows how to apply dog psychology, proper training methods, and the application and use of proper training aids.
Some trainers may claim to be "Certified Instructors," but the truth is that a typical training course certifies after just 160 hour or less.
So the next time a trainer promises you a well behaved, well trained dog using treats and a totally positive approach, just remember, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Visit Our Primary Website For Important Program Information www.jcmobedience.com
