The Wonder of Dogs 9-20
Confessions of a confirmed cookie pusher
I wish I could apologize to all the dogs I owned and trained in the past.
Because, in those days, I only knew one method of communication, and it was based on force and intimidation. It was effective, but not always the most pleasant for me or the dogs I was training.
While it worked and allowed me to end up with well-mannered and well-trained dogs, I realize now how much it damaged their trust in me and how severely it ultimately limited our relationship.
Thankfully, I’ve learned better, more scientific approaches to dog training and now can communicate with my buddies in ways that are mutually enjoyable, easy to apply and effective.
The days of being a bully are over, and I’ve adopted better methods.
I no longer accept the philosophy that dogs should listen to their owners out of love and devotion.
Like humans, dogs choose how to respond based on two basic reasons: avoiding discomfort and achieving satisfaction.
While I do use food in the initial stages of training my own puppies and my students’ dogs, food is not the only reward that works.
Some dogs value specific forms of touch, while others prefer happy talk, and other dogs respond better to play.
Still others will happily work for access to things they want like walks, rides in the car and permission to chase squirrels or sniff something enticing. All of these can be used to reward dogs for good behavior.
So, while some trainers still feel they must intimidate dogs to get their respect, I am so much happier with these more scientific, humane and comfortable techniques. As Maya Angelou has stated, “When we know better, we do better.”
Now I know better, and my dogs are living proof that I’m doing better.
Barbara Kahn is the training director at WonderDogs, Inc. E-mail her, with “Trend” in the subject line, at barb@wonderdogs.com, call 856-767-6464 or visit her Web site at www.wonderdogs.com.
Because, in those days, I only knew one method of communication, and it was based on force and intimidation. It was effective, but not always the most pleasant for me or the dogs I was training.
While it worked and allowed me to end up with well-mannered and well-trained dogs, I realize now how much it damaged their trust in me and how severely it ultimately limited our relationship.
Thankfully, I’ve learned better, more scientific approaches to dog training and now can communicate with my buddies in ways that are mutually enjoyable, easy to apply and effective.
The days of being a bully are over, and I’ve adopted better methods.
I no longer accept the philosophy that dogs should listen to their owners out of love and devotion.
Like humans, dogs choose how to respond based on two basic reasons: avoiding discomfort and achieving satisfaction.
While I do use food in the initial stages of training my own puppies and my students’ dogs, food is not the only reward that works.
Some dogs value specific forms of touch, while others prefer happy talk, and other dogs respond better to play.
Still others will happily work for access to things they want like walks, rides in the car and permission to chase squirrels or sniff something enticing. All of these can be used to reward dogs for good behavior.
So, while some trainers still feel they must intimidate dogs to get their respect, I am so much happier with these more scientific, humane and comfortable techniques. As Maya Angelou has stated, “When we know better, we do better.”
Now I know better, and my dogs are living proof that I’m doing better.
Barbara Kahn is the training director at WonderDogs, Inc. E-mail her, with “Trend” in the subject line, at barb@wonderdogs.com, call 856-767-6464 or visit her Web site at www.wonderdogs.com.
