Mountain Life Positive Dog Training

13/11/2024

THE SCIENCE OF STRESS

This is a subject which all dog guardians should familiarise themselves with, because there will always be events that crop up which your dog may find stressful. It’s quite a heavy-duty topic with lots of science, but it is important to be aware of any early signs of stress in your dog so that you can minimise the effects and safeguard your dog’s physical and emotional well-being. This will also prevent a decline into chronic stress and help avoid any behavioural challenges from developing.

https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/the-science-of-stress-part-one

In this blog I look at day to day stressors, whether stress is always a bad thing, the workings of the nervous system, and the Fight or Flight response.

Look out for part two where I examine body language, something which we should all be as fluent as possible in - it's always good to have a refresher!

©️ Trailie Paws For Thought
www.trailiepawsforthought.com

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03/11/2024

"Life isn't "purely positive" so I can use a prong/shock collar to train my dog..."

This is a ridiculous trope which is often served up as some kind of gotcha. But it's not.

When we are growing up, life is hard. Many of don't need to imagine this because we've lived it but imagine going through life as a child or teenager and not being able to come home and finding safety or support from your parents abd siblings. Imagine doing a task at home and being worried about being berated or physically harmed by your parents. Would that be necessary for life?

Imagine going into a new place of work where your teammates/supervisor are hostile. Would that help you learn how to do your job? Would it make it easier or harder? Now you not only have to worry about the new skills your learning but you have to defend yourself and let people know you won't be treated that way (or dogs don't have that option under these conditions, if they communicate this, it will lead to more punishment).

You go into a new gym class and either (or both) the instructor and other participants are sneering and nasty. Would you go back? Our dogs don't have the option not to go back.

Let's flip that. A child goes home from a particularly hard day at school and are supported by their parents, who then equip them with the skills of how to deal with the hardship.

A new employee joins your team, are welcomed, and taught properly. Do you think they will give a better performance?

A martial arts class has a new student. The instructor starts at their level and partners them with someone who will meet that level and gently expand their comfort zone.

I could give loads more examples - school, college voluntary work, interactions with people in the street.

Yes, life is hard. We don't need those who are in the position to teach and support us pouring on more pressure when we are already struggling.

Our dogs are the same. Life for them in a human world is hard. They need us to teach them kindly, humanely and effectively and this can all be done by reward based training.

They don't need the added pressure of prong collars, choke chains, slip leads, grot/garotte collars, shock collars etc. It's hard enough for them as it is.

N.B. this page is not a place for anyone to promote, endorse, justify or excuse the use of so-called "balanced" training methods or tools. Take it elsewhere.

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23/10/2024

19/09/2024

... and why it shouldn't have been published

24/05/2024

Y'know, if there's one thing that drives me batty, it's when balanced trainers tell me prong/shock collars work when they're used the "right way." But we all know better, because...
https://thecooperativecanine.threadless.com/designs/no-right-way-for-the-wrong-tools

Check back often for new designs!

16/04/2024

01/02/2024

In traditional dog training, punishment is often used to discourage undesirable behaviours. This can include physical corrections such as leash jerks, alpha rolls, or even the use of choke or prong collars. The aim is to establish the trainer's dominance and control over the dog.

Traditional training methods often focus on correcting or suppressing behaviours that are deemed undesirable, rather than teaching the dog alternative behaviours or reinforcing positive ones. The primary goal is obedience and compliance, rather than considering the emotional well-being or natural instincts of the dog.

Moreover, traditional training may not prioritise building a strong bond and trust between the dog and the trainer. Instead, it is more focused on establishing a hierarchical dominance structure, with the trainer at the top.

It is important to note that the views on traditional training are evolving, and there is a growing understanding and shift towards more ethical and humane training approaches that prioritise positive reinforcement and consider the dog's welfare as a whole.

Ethical dog training encompasses much more than teaching behaviour change. It involves understanding a dog's natural behaviours and instincts, and using cues to communicate effectively. This type of training places a strong emphasis on meeting the dog's needs, ensuring their emotional well-being is prioritised throughout the process.

Ethical dog training recognises that teaching new behaviour options is just one aspect of a broader approach to dog care. It takes into account the dog's overall well-being and fosters a positive and respectful relationship between trainer and dog. By understanding the dog's needs, ethical training aims to meet them through a combination of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction.

In ethical dog training, the trainer is aware that a dog's behaviour is often a result of their environment, genetics, and past experiences. Rather than attempting to suppress or control these behaviours, ethical training works with the dog's natural instincts and focuses on positively reinforcing desired behaviours. This ensures that the dog is not subjected to unnecessary stress or harm.

Overall, ethical dog training in the UK combines the use of cues to effectively communicate with the dog, along with a comprehensive understanding of the dog's needs. By considering the bigger picture of a dog's well-being, ethical training aims to create a harmonious and trusting relationship between trainer and dog.

If you're an ethical dog trainer, join NICE - we are your people. https://www.nicemembership.com/cpd-membership

01/02/2024

Sniffing is not just a simple act; it's a profound way for dogs to gather information, communicate, and even experience joy.

Restricting this natural behaviour can hinder their cognitive and emotional development, potentially leading to stress or behavioural issues.

Moreover, it respects their autonomy and acknowledges their unique sensory perspective.

Ethically, permitting dogs the freedom to explore their environment through sniffing is akin to allowing them a voice and understanding in their world.

Want to work with dogs, ask your questions below.

31/01/2024

Many force free trainers are accused of being judgemental or argumentative for fighting for better training methods. The truth of the matter is, we shouldn't need to. This shouldn't be a conversation we even need to have, but sadly society continues to underestimate the fallout of leaving the dog training industry unregulated. So until the government wakes up and finally regulates the industry, we won't be silenced just to appease those that resist positive and scientific change.

When we express that we hate any aversives or punitive methods, we aren't insinuating that a dog wearing them never experiences happiness or that their guardian loves them any less. We are just saying there is a better way to train your dog; a way which will increase your dog's happiness and strengthen your bond. Isn't that what we all want? Isn't that something worth fighting for? - Holly Leake ©

Please feel free to like and share this post but please do not copy and paste the text or screenshot or edit the graphic in any way. Thank you.

19/01/2024

It's not good enough to use punishment just because it works.

Punishing dogs in the name of training is an outdated method that, according to evidence, leads to significant welfare issues and an increase in stress-related behaviours. Research shows that punitive training techniques can cause psychological harm to dogs, leading to increased fear, anxiety, and aggression.

Dogs subjected to such methods often exhibit overt signs of stress like cowering, trembling, or avoidance behaviours, indicative of emotional distress. These methods also damage the bond between the dog and the handler, eroding trust and mutual respect.

17/01/2024

11/01/2024

Positive reinforcement isn't just about food. It's about smart use of available reinforcers. Use them wisely!