04/10/2024
On point‼️
▶A Balanced Approach to Dog Training: Setting the Record Straight
When we first embarked on our dog training journey, we were unaware of some of the divisiveness within the industry. While dog trainers should unite in their goal of improving the lives of dogs and their owners, we’ve observed a trend of bullying and shaming from certain individuals within the community. A group that identifies as "force-free" or "positive-only" trainers has unfortunately become known for being particularly loud and antagonistic toward other training methods. This raises a key question: can you still call yourself “force-free” or “positive-only” if you consistently apply pressure and force toward other people?
It’s important to acknowledge that the concept of "positive-only" training, while appealing, is somewhat misleading. Consider this: applying a harness, using a Halti, or even basic restraints like fences, doors, or limiting physical contact—these could all be perceived as aversive if the dog has not consented to being restricted. But because these tools and methods make us feel better about avoiding perceived harm, we are happy to use them, yet we've come to demonize all forms of pressure or other aversive techniques without fully examining their role in the real world.
When it comes to dog training, we must talk about control—yes, control. In situations where a dog's prey drive takes over, rational thinking can go out the window, potentially putting the dog in danger, whether it’s running into traffic, getting lost, or reacting inappropriately in public. The idea that we can manage such instincts by merely offering a treat or toy as a reward every time the dog makes the right decision is romanticized and often unrealistic. Positive reinforcement is indeed an effective tool to teach a dog new behaviours, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
A balanced approach combines positive reinforcement with well-timed, fair pressure once the dog fully understands the command and has shown consistency in its behaviour. When a dog ignores a known command, pressure helps communicate that following through is important. This balanced method of kind, patient teaching, applying and releasing pressure, and rewarding good behaviour enables us to offer dogs more freedom in the long run. We can trust our dogs in potentially dangerous situations because we’ve trained them to make better decisions under various conditions, rather than relying solely on rewards.
Moreover, consider the alternative: a life on-leash or, worse, confined indoors or reliant on medication to manage behaviour. Is medicating your dog without its consent aversive? If a medication causes side effects, a dog can’t communicate discomfort like a human can. A dog appearing calm when medicated might be experiencing internal distress, and this stoicism can be easily misinterpreted as contentment. These are critical considerations when evaluating the “positive-only” approach as the sole acceptable method.
We encourage the “positive-only” community to focus their efforts on combating real abuse rather than splitting hairs over the balanced use of pressure in training. And for those who want to be part of a supportive, non-toxic training community, we invite you to explore balanced training methods. After all, we don’t bite—our parents trained us better!☺️
▶www.hookedonhounds.com
