Welcome to: "A day in a life - the trainers point of view."
First, I'd like to ask, "If these other training methods are so wonderful, popular, effective, and highly promoted as the only way to train, why am I flooded with calls from owners begging for help?"
I average between 5 to 30 calls everyday, 7 days a week, from desperate dog owners who have attended dog training classes that promote the Positive Reinforcement, treat based, clicker method. Each person that calls feels their individual behavioral issues are unique to their own situation. From my perspective it's the exact same complaints over and over again.
Does this sound familiar?
I know when an owner's gone elsewhere when the first thing I'm asked is, "do you do private lessons?" This is an immediate tip-off. I ask, "Is it because group didn't work?" Rather surprised, they respond, "How did you know I had group?" "They go on to say, "He learned all of his basic commands in group, but he needs more. We need advanced private training. He's really a good dog and smart, but he jumps on everybody. He runs out of the door and won't come back. He won't let us leave the house. He barks when we sit down to eat. He bites our hands. He rips at our cloths. He rushes the door when someone comes over. He tries to bite us when we go by his toy or his food bowl. He snaps at family members. He chews on our arms. You should see us, we look like we've been in an accident. The next thing they say, "we went to dog training classes and the dog does all of the basic commands perfectly. He heels, sits, downs and comes most of the time. We're just having some behavior problems we need to work on."
So I start asking questions. You say your dog does all of the basic commands perfectly. The owner replies, "Yes, he's very, very good."
Question- When you walk the dog on a loose leash does he maintain slack in the leash at all times.
Owner- Yes, unless he sees something he wants, then he pulls.
Question- When you instruct the dog to "heel" does he stay next to your left leg and sit when you stop?
Owner- Yes.
Question- Does he do it automatically?
Owner- Yes, most of the time, as long as I have a treat.
Question- Does he listen and obey without the treat?
Owner- Well no, not really.
Question- Does the dog sit on the first command and stay until you release him (tell him he can get up)?
Owner- No, are you kidding?
Question- When you ask him to sit how many times do you say it before he does it?
Owner- If I have a treat he will sit before I even ask him. If I don't have a treat handy I have to say it several times. Sometimes he won't do it at all and will walk away.
Question- Will he down and stay from a distance?
Owner- No.
Question- Will he down from close up?
Owner- Yes.
Question- What if someone comes to the door?
Owner- No. I can tell him sit and down 50 times and he won't listen. If someone comes to the door I can't control him. I have to put him in his cage. That's what I want to fix.
Reply, "It seems as if he doesn't really know the basic commands."
Owner- Well, I guess not.
The owner has described a dog that is disrespectful, pushy, aggressive, rude, and an accident waiting to happen.
All a direct result of positive, food based training. The owner is told our program does not use food or treats. They immediately ask, "Do you BEAT the dog, cause I don't want my dog beat. I don't want you to make him mean and make him hate me. He really is a good dog." I then have to ask, "Why do you think the alternative to using food or treats is to beat your dog and make him mean?" They reply, I don't know. Well, I just figured if you don't use food you must beat them to get them to do what you want." I then try to explain that, in our program, we teach the dog in a way dogs naturally learn by redirecting and correcting inappropriate behaviors. We show the dog how to do what we ask. Correcting unwanted behaviors does not involve beating or abusing the dog. It involves communication. At the end of our program the dog will not hate or fear you, he will respect and understand you. We use praise instead of treats or clickers. We explain to owners how verbal and physical reward means more to the dog than being bribed by the "human food dispenser."
If you have gone to one of these programs, ask yourself, what did I really learn?
All of these pet owners, who are trying to do the right thing, get sucked into the non-corrective training trap. They are lulled into thinking their dog can be trained without any consequences to their behavior. The reality is these programs go against the basic nature of the dog, and in doing so creates extreme anxiety, causes emotional torture, and mental fearfulness. The fact that we get so many calls is testament to this fact. We solve the problem the first time around. At the same time we educate owners so they have the knowledge to keep their dog obedient. Owners who come to us do not turn around and go elsewhere. That's because they don't have to. We show them how to fix the problems correctly the first time.
So to all the people who think correcting an unwanted behavior is abusive, and Positive Reinforcement is the way to go, I'll be talking to you real soon.
Actual e-mail:
Dali is my 8 month old German Shepherd. We recently completed two 8 week programs at PetSmart and a 6 week course at the SPCA. She learned all of her puppy basics. She knows sit, stand, stay, lie down, shake, and does very well thanks to a gentle leader on loose leash walking. She also is getting better everyday with her take it leave its. However, we are having some issues that the PetSmart and SPCA training program did not address. We do not have any problems with chewing on things. Our problems are that no one can come to our home because she jumps on them, and bites (in a playful way). She has drawn blood, but I know she didn't mean it. She has had interaction with other people and dogs but this still is becoming a bigger issue since my husband and I have a lot of family that visits often, and it is not fair to Dali to have to be crated every time we have an unexpected visitor. The only other issue we are having is the barking. She is perfectly fine when we are up walking around in our home like cooking, cleaning, etc. However, as soon as we sit down it is a barking fiasco. Whether it is to sit down to eat, talk on the phone, watch tv, or just visit she goes absolutely nutty barking. And the biggest one that bothers me because I feel it may be dangerous in the right situation, she will not stay, or come at the call of her name. When we take her outside to relieve herself she runs from us both and we have to chase her. We do not know how to address this problem and would like a professional opinion. I appreciate your time. Your professional opinion will be deeply appreciated.
Sarah Theriot
Actual e-mail:
We need some help. We have a sweet, lumbering English Setter. I ran into someone that went to you in Audubon Park. Their dog was wonderfully trained. She even showed me how her dog listened off leash. She gave me your name. We've already had group classes and he does all of his basic commands. I understand you come to the home. I would like to set up private lessons.
I hope your schedule will permit it very soon. Next Tuesday (9/22) any time and Wednesday (9/23).
THE HISTORY:
We adopted Marvin from Setter Rescue 3 months ago. We believe he is about 3 years old. Marvin is generally very well behaved on leash, unless he sees something of interest, like a squirrel or bird. I have been jerked down twice and dragged once. I walk him with a harness because that's what my trainer recommended. Your former student said you might suggest starting him out with a pinch collar. She said that's how she started her dog. I've seen them at the pet store. I asked my trainer what he thought. He said they were inhumane and teaching the dog to walk on leash just takes time. I'm getting all of these conflicting views. I not sure what to believe. I know we need help. The other problem is when he sees an open gate and a chance to run free. 2x this has happened to us, both this week. We have just completed the 6 week course at the Jewish Community Center. We live close to the intersection of St. Charles and Napoleon. We just want Marvin to be well behaved.
Marvin obeys his commands, but he could be a little better. A workmen came into the house the other day and I could get Marvin to sit but he wouldn't stay. I eventually ran out of treats and I finally had to put him in our spare room. One time I was going to answer the door and Marvin ran down the exit stairs and knocked me down. Is this something we could work on?
Please get in touch with me at your earliest convenience. I am willing to try anything at this point.
Thank you,
Mary Rose Kent
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