04/17/2022
Warped Perceptions
I was reading an article a couple days ago written by someone who clearly had no clue what they were talking about. I hear and see this all the time with mostly people online or occasionally customers. The author was so ‘matter of fact’ about information that was not only wrong but dangerous, I had to share some of my opinions. This is going to be a little longer than usual. By the way, I LOVE using positive reinforcement. All my customers will tell you I’m big on taking our focus off the bad and putting it on the good. No one on this planet has a life that’s perfect and ‘positive’ 100% of the time. So why are we attempting to train our dogs that it’s a possibility?
Online trainers who ONLY use positive reinforcement tactics have ‘negatively’ affected dog training. I don’t personally know them so I won’t mention any names but there are some nationally known, VERY well respected trainers who’s own dogs are not trained at all! Not only that, have had dogs trained by others who use completely different methods than the ones they claim. These are people with their own programs for trainers to get certified! PLEASE don’t believe everything you read online!!!!
Some people aren’t real dog trainers, they’re just paid to write about it. I laugh when they say things like, “if there’s a need for a prong collar, you’re uneducated and your methods are outdated.” I find it funny because: This is usually from someone’s who’s maybe trained one puppy starting at 8-12 weeks old, usually inside their distraction free home. You’ll never see these type of people training a large dog with a history of biting multiple people. Or walking a dog aggressive dog in an area with other dogs, they’ll never do it because they don’t know how! They might have paid for some title which makes them ‘educated.’ But one thing I know FOR SURE is anyone who thinks like they do is one thing: INEXPERIENCED. Talk and get real information from a real trainer!
I love my dogs, my customers dogs, puppies, older dogs in shelters, purebreds, mutts. I’m so grateful each and every day that I get to do something that unfortunately, many people will never do…make a difference doing something I truly love. I want to work when I’m not working. How cool is that?! I say that because with this post I’m not trying to hurt anyones feelings! If you know me you know I’m honest, direct, and maybe a little to blunt at times. But it always comes from a good place!
I believe I can correctly respond to the following question a few different ways but not without ruffling some feathers. Maybe this little article will give someone a different perspective!
So, if you get anything at all from this(good or bad), either comment or message me your thoughts and opinions, I’d love to hear them!
(Side note: this stuff applies to parenting as well)
**How and when did this world turn into a place where a dogs wants are more important than the needs of our kids?**
People will make sure their dog is happy at all cost but will tell their kids the world isn’t always fair.
Examples:
I KNOW MANY people(with or without children) who:
1. Never let their children yell and scream even if they need something. Yet, they allow the dog to bark at them because he wants(not needs)something?
2. Have or admit they would s***k their child, but would NEVER hit their dog or even discipline them. Even worse, they believe training tools are outdated and “cruel”. “He/she just doesn’t like it”, is something I hear often.
3. Still refuse to use a crate or do anything at all when their dog destroys items in the house. “It’s just toilet paper” wouldn’t come out of most parents mouths if they regularly came home to their grown child TP-ing the inside of their home.
4. Would punish their kid for hitting other kids(or people in general). “I grabbed his collar and pulled him away” is the extent of ‘discipline’ most dogs get when they bite or attack another.
There are many more examples I can use and I’m sure you can think of. The point is most parents would agree we want our kids happy but they still have to follow rules. Who pays the bills again?
I’m not suggesting that we s***k/hit our children or dogs. I’m also not suggesting that our dogs should never be allowed to be a dog. Like children, dogs can develop unwanted behaviors from parents who are strict all the time. I spoil my dogs and even sometimes let them get away with things that I train not to do. The difference is there’s a healthy balance of fun, affection, understanding, discipline, and recognizing their allowed to be a dog just don’t take advantage of me. Also the training methods I use are to promote happiness but also structure and boundaries.
So, what can we as pet parents do to give our dogs a happy life without being walked all over? How can we discipline without hurting our dog or making them resent us? Many factors are to be considered and what works for one dog might not work on another. I deal with multiple pet homes where I train 2-3 of their dogs. Even the ones that are siblings from the exact same litter require different methods and training techniques. If I went over every way possible I’d have to write an entire book, but let’s start with one VERY effective method
First, we need to make sure we understand what certain words mean in regards to dog training. Thanks to the “purely positive” trainers online who claim to only use positive reinforcement to train dogs, a lot of peoples perception of these words has effected what trainers actually mean.
So when you hear….
1. Reinforcement: Intent to increase the likelihood that specific behaviors will be repeated.
2. Punishment: Intent to stop or correct undesirable behaviors.
3. Positive: Adding
4. Negative: Subtracting(remove)
Think of the meaning of these words from a mathematical perspective - we either add or remove something to help communicate to our dog, “yes! that’s what we want”, or, “no! please stop doing that.”
I ask many customers, “what do you know about positive reinforcement?” Most reply with something to the extent of, “always being happy, never hurt them, and give my dog plenty of tasty treats.” Although these do fall under being ‘positive’ from an attitude stand point, that’s not what dog trainers refer to as positive reinforcement.
I also ask, “what do you know about negative punishment?” The typical response is, “crating a dog, using prongs or ecollar, and even hitting them.” NONE of these are negative punishment!
(Side note: the first two in nearly all cases are to HELP you and your dog. Hitting a dog may temporarily stop a behavior, but that’s it. Hitting is just a way to avoid working on the real issue at hand, the owner.)
Keep in mind, dogs and dog training has changed over time. The world was different just 2 years ago, so most certainly it has changed in 10 years. Imagine the last 20 years - nothing is the same. So how would dogs and training them not be different as well? A large percentage of dog training by the generations before me used positive punishment, but usually not in a productive manner. One method used back then that can be productive is negative punishment.
Imagine you walk into a house where your immediately approached by a pet dog. You look at him, slouch over a bit to pet him, and probably talk to him, all three are forms of attention. As you stop petting and straighten your back, the dog jumps up on you, maybe even licks or bites you. This is a perfect time to apply negative punishment…stop petting, avoid looking, and don’t talk to
that dog. You just removed all of your attention they previously had. If done correctly, some dogs walk away but most stop jumping and/or sit down. This is when you can go back to giving them attention! That quickly you applied negative punishment paired with positive reinforcement….this exact combination is very effective for dog training and something I focus on heavily!
In the jumping scenario-what if you took out the part where you stop giving your dog attention and instead constantly touch while they jump on you? Would it be very effective in communicating this behavior is not what we want? It’s important to keep in mind that any response by you, good or bad, is still attention. Why do you think some dogs potty in the house every time you leave despite upon your return you scold her or hit him?🤔
Changing the behaviors of a living organism is EXTREMELY hard! Don’t believe me? Try to change your spouses behaviors, try to change your kids. If you succeeded and it wasn’t for selfish reasons then that’s great! In most cases though, you’ve already tried and failed. Often I hear, “if dogs could talk, there wouldn’t be a need for dog trainers.” Really? Your teenager talks just fine but you’re constantly wondering why he/she still displays behaviors that you’re desperately trying to stop.
This was meant be informative and maybe even an eye opener for somebody out there. This article isn’t ‘the answer’ nor was it intended to be. I’m not a magician or a dog whisperer(maybe) or anything like that. I’ve been around dogs my entire life and have never been afraid of them. I truly believe I understand them and an expert at reading them. So, it would be awesome if someone read this and their dog training becomes perfect, but that’s very unlikely, actually it’s impossible…theres much, much more to it. So much so I could write a book on it. But as mentioned above: “Some people are paid to write about training dogs.” I’m busy actually training and no one paying me to write! 😂
I’m in this not only to help dogs, but to help humans as well. Please feel free to reach out for more information about training your dog!
Will @ DeBlois Dogs
Call or text: 302-419-7448
