Good Training is...Good Training

"This is Nicole, what can I do for you?"

"Well, I was just wondering what kind of method you use?"

There ARE no methods! Dogs recognize no "methods". There are two kinds of training: Good training, and bad training.

There is good training: The dog understands, and demonstrates understanding with reliable performance of correctly chosen criteria. The handler can consistently perform the requisite elements. The success of such training enhances dog-handler relationship. Ultimately, good training results in increased desired behaviors and decreased undesired behavior.

There are many, many ways to get this to happen. Every effective way relies on precise timing, effective communication, consistency of message, showing--not telling, presentation of contrast, and intellectual engagement from both dog and handler. These create predictable expectations, predictable and controllable consequences. Predictability is the antithesis of anxiety.

There is bad training. The dog does not understand. The handler does not understand it. The trainer teaching it does not understand it. No one knows what is going on, but something is happening. 'We have to do something, and this is something, so we are doing this.'

There's a shot gun approach of 'we're trying this', 'Oh, we've stopped that, now trying another thing', often due to the human's inappropriate expectations or incorrect diagnosis. There is a wide variety of ideas conveyed for a short period of time, and then a new idea, replacing the old idea, (often in stark contrast to the old notion) appears out of nowhere.

Confusion, inconsistency, poor timing, emotional intensity, lack of clarity result in a lack of predictability. If you wanted to create a monster, (or if you wanted to make a dog just stop trying--see Martin Seligman's research)removing predictability, removing controllable consequences, and generally increasing frustration, arousal, and anxiety is a good way to accomplish that.

Some dogs are frankly not negatively psychologically impacted by pain alone. These are the rough-players of the dog world, who make great police dogs, Schutzhund & Ringsport players, unstoppable trackers, and tolerant therapy and service dogs. Pain does not necessarily equate to stress for all dogs.

However, even for dogs who DO have a high tolerance for pain, anxiety, confusion, frustration DO negatively impact the dog's psychological state, and therefore performance and compliance. Maintaining appropriate emotional state is a critical component of effective training. Stress-tolerance can be taught, but never demanded.

Stress is the hallmark of abusive, aversive interactions.

Stress, anxiety, confusion, and frustration are NOT unique to methods using pain. You can easily stress, confuse, and frustrate your dog using treats or play alone! Selection of tools ALONE does not determine whether your dog is receiving "good" or "bad" training.

I have watched Schutzhund dogs have a wonderful time, happy tails, and excited to work, and frustrated when prevented from working! These are dogs on precisely used slip, choke, prong, and remote collars. Their handlers are emotionally neutral, and there is no yelling.

I have seen Schutzhund dogs mistreated, abused, confused, and FAIL, as they AND their cretin owners misunderstand the exercise, the tool they are "now" trying, and resultantly the two creatures generally yell, scream, and otherwise act a fool!

I have watched dogs in reward-only classes shut down in confusion as treats are waggled but not delivered. Watched their insistent owners ratchet up the pressure, reaching for higher and higher value treats, trying for "another way to get him to do it". As if they can force the dog into wanting! Good trainers wait until the time is right to work. They can identify the body language that indicates a good time to work.

I've watched frustration build in a dog leaning into a flat collar while the owner inclines away from the dog, who is only interested in sniffing a new dog, sparking aggressive outbursts. Using only a flat collar, that generally accepted as among the most benign of tools, mixed with a little ignorance, misunderstanding, or inattentiveness, --we've created aggression!

The issue I take with the labeling of training as "positive" or "traditional" or "dog whispering" or "natural" or any other label used for marketing purposes is that I have yet to find any relationship between the label and whether or not the training is good, fair, and enjoyable, --or bad, unfair, and stress-inducing.

When you are making decisions about how to interact with your dog, remember that it isn't the label that matters to your dog. It's reducing anxiety. It's making you happy. It's having a good time. Dogs are, above all, supposed to be fun!

Go have some fun with your dog.