Dog Training
03/21/2025
“You are not a skillful trainer if your dog is dependent on the training tool.”
We hear this all the time, especially when it comes to the use of ecollar.
First of all, me looking “skillful” is never my priority.
My priority is whether the dog is empowered with the skills to handle life, and whether the owner has the necessary skills to carry on.
I want the owners and their dogs to look skillful.
A lot of Force Free trainers like to make the training really complex so they will look very skillful - because they are the only one who can do it - but what is so great about that if the owners and their dogs keep failing?
Secondly, as long as the dog is able to perform and make the proper decisions, it’s okay if this result is achieved in conjunction with certain training devices.
This is not about showing off how good we are as a trainer, this is all about providing the best quality of life for the dog.
We depend on electricity and other power sources to keep our houses warm. Many of us depend on electronic devices for communication and work. We have suspension, power steering, and many electronic sensors in our cars. The list can go on and on. It’s normal for us to be dependent on all these devices but it is a bad thing when it comes to our dogs? It is okay for us to depend on all sorts of tools in our daily life but in order to be considered well trained, our dogs must live without any of them? How is that logical?
Thirdly, if we can find a training system that even an average person can master, why is that a bad thing? If someone who does not have professional skill can use something that can really improve their life with their dogs - shouldn’t that be something we celebrate and encourage? Why do these Force Free trainers so obsessed in shaming people over that?
Do Force free trainers never use any training tools? Do they use a leash or harness to keep their dogs from getting hit by a car when crossing a busy street? If so, does that make them bad trainers because their dogs’ safety are dependent on those training tools? Why the double standard?
For me, my objective is a dog who can live with the human in harmony, who can enjoy lots of fun and freedom reliably, who shares a relationship whereas both the human and the dog can trust and understand each other with mutual respect and love.
How that is achieved can vary, because each dog is different, but the most important thing is that we put that as our priority and use whatever we need to provide our dog with the best life possible.
Some children need special glasses or shoes. Some need extra help with speech, or motoring skills. Shall we do what Force Free trainers love to do, which is to mock the parents for being “unskillful parents” since their children are dependent on those things?
We should not compromise on the dog’s quality of life over the opinion of others. Our dogs do not exist to prove what a “skillful” trainer we are.
Don’t let some strangers dictate how you live with your dog. It is none of their business.
Of course we want our dogs to know how to make better choices on their own. But even us as humans will make mistakes from time to time. We need reminders from time to time. If you have to use your ecollar or prong collar or treats to help them sometimes, it is totally fine. It does not make them a bad dog, it does not mean your training is bad, and it certainly does not make you a bad owner.
It only means one thing: you are very sensitive and considerate to your dog’s needs and you are always willing and able to do whatever it takes to make sure your dog is successful. It is not about us, it is always about our dog. Don’t let some strangers make you feel guilty for being a great parent!
Hope this helps.
Thank you.
PerfectCompanionK9.com
