27/01/2024
You've probably noticed that a lot of dog trainers/daycares and doggy services are popping up lately and there's a reason for this.
The industry is not regulated, meaning anyone can open up a daycare, anyone can claim to be a trainer... this becomes tricky for certain dogs as the owners seek guidance and get the wrong advice from uneducated professionals.
Yes, there training might work for a puppy, a companion dog designed to lay on a lap but when powerful genetics come into play, bad behaviour that's been allowed to be practised for months, if not years... it can go very wrong very quickly.
When fear is confused for arousal, when frustration is confused for fear... these small components missed create havoc for the dog and owner.
** Buyers Beware - Behaviour Problems are not for Franchised Dog Trainers! **
I had a consult today with a dog that is likely to be subject to a Menacing Dog Order following an incident while being walked in the street. Fortunately, the incident did not result in serious injury to anyone involved.
The dog had been showing mild signs of anti-social behaviour to unknown people for the last 12 months which recently deteriorated further; likely due to entering maturity and changes to the family situation.
The family responsibly sought consult from a trainer when these issues first began. Unfortunately, they retained the services of a franchise trainer. The dog had previously been fitted with a prong collar by another trainer, most likely for good reason; that being strength disparity. The franchise trainer changed the dog to a martingale collar. This decision has undoubtedly contributed to the loss of control during the incident.
Make no mistake, regardless of how well training is progressing, strength disparity will always be a constant factor! Competing motivators will always be a constant factor! Maintaining effective control must always be the number one consideration.
Formal training or qualifications are not required to buy a dog training franchise; the franchiser generally prefer the franchisee to have no formal training. Training is provided on purchase and the quality of that training, at least by the major two franchisers, is nothing short of disgraceful. Baaa-ing like a sheep while throwing a check chain at a dog is disgraceful, reactive, low level training. Training scenarios need to be set up in a controlled environment where a desired outcome can be assured. Likewise, staking a dog out and ignoring it for a couple of weeks is not going to modify any behaviour issue and will be highly detrimental to the mental health of the dog. You don’t have to eat before your dog to show “dominance”; no “pecking order” needs to be established in the household. The feeding of raw or red meat won’t make your dog aggressive nor will playing tug with your dog.
What dogs need is exercise, stimulation, set boundaries and clear communication.
Fortunately, franchised dog trainers appear to have become a lot less popular in recent years.
If your dog starts displaying potentially dangerous behaviours, especially with large and powerful breeds, you need a trainer apt in dealing with these issues; the consequences for getting it wrong could be dire. For this reason many competent trainers will not accept these jobs. Unfortunately others with lesser skill sets are only too willing to fleece people of their money and create potential time bombs.
It can be difficult sorting the chaff from the wheat in an unregulated industry like the dog industry. The flashiest websites touting deceptive slogans and making outlandish claims are never what they portray.
When it comes to behaviour issues with dogs, do your research and leave the franchises alone!
Footnote – This equally applies to any trainer or behaviourist claiming to be purely positive, positive only or force free. I’ve made several posts on this issue previously.
Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Little Paws Big Paws, Dog trainer, Perth.
