03/18/2025
There is a lingering perception that positive reinforcement reward-based training results in a dog that does whatever they want, whenever they want, and that there is nothing they are not permitted to do. That seeking approaches that centre around meeting the needs of the dog and acknowledging their emotions means dogs with no training or manners.
This could not be further from the truth. We set out to show the dog from the very beginning what we would like them to do, so they don't practise carrying out the behaviours that we find problematic. We find ways to meet their needs, and to let them carry out their natural behaviours in a way that works for both them and us. To give them the time and opportunities to be dogs, doing dog things, but also helping them with how to live in a world largely made by and for humans.
If they do start to do something we consider a problem, we find something else for them to do instead that we are both happy with, or work with them on feeling happier and more secure in the situation. We don’t simply ‘ignore the bad behaviour’** all the time as some would put it. We set the dog up for success by showing them the behaviours we would like and making sure that we meet all their needs and, when we do this effectively and get it right for the dog, there is much less need to worry about seeing the ‘bad’ behaviour as it will occur less often or disappear entirely, replaced by things that work for both species.
**There is, of course, no such thing as bad behaviour from the dog’s perspective. They don’t understand moral imperatives of good or bad. They understand safe or not safe, and they understand what works for them and what doesn’t work for them. It’s up to us with our more complex thinking abilities to help them feel safe and find what works for them in a way that fits their world and keeps everyone living in harmony as much as possible.**
