09/07/2022
Whether you’re an owner or an aspiring trainer, the sooner you realize this, the sooner you can better navigate the jungle of obfuscation, deceit, and being mislead.
Fact is, not all aspects of dog training are pretty, fun, and enjoyable for all. Although many would have you believe that anything which detours from this is horrible, inhumane, abusive training.
What a perfect marketing position. Virtue signaling, and emotional appeals will...appeal to many. And many know this, and so many do this.
I’ve trained an awful lot of dogs, and I’ve witnessed some amazing transformations. Some took a delicate, soft, “pretty” approach, and others have necessitated something far firmer, and far less “pretty”...but either way, the ethical position is to do what best serves the dog. And sometimes “pretty” and soft is the furthest thing from what achieves the best result.
Plenty will argue that there’s “other” ways—softer, “prettier”, kinder ways which always work, and that there’s no time/place for being very “that” firm, and using what would be considered “un-pretty” training.
All I know is that I let the dogs and owners tell me what is and isn’t effective, what is and isn’t helpful, and what is and isn’t “pretty”. The results they achieve are what tell me.
No wants to acknowledge that sometimes the truly pretty stuff comes from anything but. I’d suggest you explore the mindset, ideologies, and incentives these folks are working under. Because I promise you, telling you the truth isn’t something that wins me, or any other trainer who’s more interested in telling the truth rather than looking good and making that cash—any popularity contests. The only incentive is a clear conscience.
As I’ve said many times: “If you only reward the trainers who lie to you, and punish those who tell you the truth, pretty soon, all you’ll have are trainers who will lie to you.” And that’s not a place I’d recommend we end up.
PS, those who have something to lose by speaking up against the popular flow are the folks I recommend you study and follow. They’re out there, but you’ll have to work to find them. (Tip: if it makes you uncomfortable, or question what you believe, it’s likely you’re onto something.)