One of the training goals in all classes is to teach handlers and guardians to understand what leadership really means. Allowing the development of strong bonding and pack behaviors and preventing unwanted social problems is your job as leader. You are your dog's guardian and it is important that you understand your dog’s needs, social structure and methods of communication.
Learning what that means is an essential step in any training. Tapping into the dog's natural drives is very rewarding. Treats and these types of rewards are great for focus work and starting the learning process. Of course it is important to think of them as temporary or initial tools for training. Other rewards such as affection, play and praise are more important in the long run. The dog is then happy to follow your instruction without "bribery by treat."
Understanding why your dog is doing what he is doing is more important than simply correcting an unwanted behavior. Good manners are achieved without threats and punishment. Instead, predict and prevent problems before they happen. This style of learning/teaching allows behavior and socialization techniques to work while positive behavior is encouraged.
When I teach leadership to students, I often find myself clearing misconceptions of what leadership is.
My methods do not necessarily include the traditional "Pack Theory" some of you have heard or read about. A lot of experts talk about "authority instinct" in pack theory but I avoid the over use of dominance / submission techniques.
WAIT! Don't be upset just yet . . . I'm not saying you should throw the baby out with the bath water.
What I mean to say is that traditionally the authority instinct, as taught by many trainers, is a display of dominant gestures that trigger submission from other subordinate pack members and results in peacefulness. This assumes that the dog's only need at the time is to gain acceptance socially. In fact there could be many other needs / drives triggering this dog. So, I do avoid the improper use of dominance. Unfortunately, it appears that the discovery of linear hierarchy in wolves leads many trainers to use dominance as a training tool to correct unwanted behavior by so called natural methods i.e; grabbing the dog by the scruff, shaking, flipping and pinning them to the ground in order to gain submission.
I tried this technique on my husband because he would not answer me when I called him. Three times I called him 'Keven, Keven, KEVEN!' and still he would not answer me. I couldn't let him get away with that! He knows better! At the time I didn't know he had head - phones on and music in his ears and could not hear me. Just the same, he was startled when I grabbed his neck to make him look at me and give me the attention I demanded. Surprisingly he got more than a little aggressive . . . NOT submissive!
After dealing with this Scottish / Irish Heinz 57 stubborn insubordination and discussing the problem with friends and other trainers (wives) it was decided that the only way to deal with the problem was to have him neutered or euthanized. Sound ridiculous? Good, it's supposed to be. Any relationship requires trust. Never undermine it with violent or aggressive behavior.
Choke collars typically used for correction, punishment or force and compulsion methods of any kind are not used in my classes.
Although we use operant and classical training methods which are adapted to suit the individual dog, there are no perfect training recipes.
