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Training your dog? Technique is everything
I've received so much
advice since I got a dog! When I was training Gretta, everybody and anybody
had an opinion: "To show your dog who is boss, hit him a few times with a
rolled newspaper." Or the familiar, yet still shocking, cliché: "If he makes
a mess on the floor, rub his nose in it."
These examples are fairly indicative of a common attitude
among people trying to train a dog to follow the rules of a household.
Clearly, the best way to establish a satisfying relationship with one's dog
and gain co-operation is not by resorting constantly to punishment (hitting,
slapping, shocks or something else). It is important to realize that, unlike
humans, a dog is unable to understand that he is being punished for doing
something wrong or "morally incorrect." He is, however, able to associate a
punishment with an action he just took, as long as the punishment
immediately follows the action. In any event, using punishment as a dog
training technique remains a risky undertaking.
Incorrectly employed, punishment can often have the
opposite desired effect. A dog with a tendency to dominate might defy his
master if physically punished as part of training. This type of situation
could easily degenerate into a never-ending battle where too often both
parties lose and the dog is likely to end up in a shelter. In the case of a
more submissive dog, punishment could create anxiety, which the dog could
express by barking or engaging in destructive behaviour.
If, despite everything, an owner believes punishment is
necessary, it is important to remember that the punishment must fit the
animal and not the "crime." Owners must not give in to the temptation to use
physical punishment. For most dogs, hearing you express disapproval with a
firm ''NO!'' and nothing else is punishment enough. However, instead of
using punishment to subjugate your dog and show him who is the master, we
believe it is better to teach him a few basic commands and then reward him
for appropriate behaviour. Some knowledge of canine behaviour is very useful
for understanding how master/dog communication works.
In nature, dogs are predators who live in small groups or
"packs" governed by a complex structure. Shortly after birth, puppies
communicate with each other by playing and squabbling together. If one puppy
nibbles another a little too hard, the mother intervenes to punish him. This
helps the puppy learn to control his bite. The mother and the father, when
he is around, intervene to regulate the puppies' behaviour and help them
establish a mutually satisfying relationship. By playing together, they
develop motor co-ordination and gradually build up physical strength. They
learn to interpret communication. Each puppy soon understands his position
in the pack and is able to identify behaviour that calls for signs of
submission and dominance. Although a puppy's communication signals start out
rather crude, by adulthood, they have become more elaborate and subtle.
These signs enable the group to function without unnecessary dangerous
bursts of violence. Each member understands his place and his role within
the group and is reminded by the others if he tries to go against the
established order.
Dogs are therefore social animals. They recognize each
other and communicate using various signals. The pack's way of life is
governed by a set of rules. When you bring a new dog into your home, this is
the background he brings with him. As he tries to become part of your
family, you must regulate his behaviour. You can use the SPRAY COMMANDER, a
training collar that enables you to interrupt unwanted behaviour in a timely
fashion without punishing the dog. Afterwards, simply guide the dog towards
the desired behaviour by reducing his stimuli. From the very beginning, you
must assert yourself as the master. To avoid the conflicts that could arise
if your position was ambiguous, you must make your dog understand that you
are the leader. To ensure that your companion assimilates smoothly into your
family, begin his training upon his arrival. Do not make the mistake of
waiting until he is an adult. From the moment your dog lives with you,
encourage him to come when you call. Praise him when he does what you ask
and this will help him become emotionally attached to you.
It is important to remember that the concept of equality so
dear to the human race does not exist in the canine world: therefore, around
the age of four months, a dog must learn to socially distance himself from
the people he is attached to. He may not sit up at the table during meals or
sleep on your bed. If you do not enforce this distance, he will continue to
seek your company. However, do not abuse your power. To quickly teach your
dog to do what you ask, ask him to do something, like sit, before you give
him the patting and stroking he seeks. Develop an effective communication
system: to get quick results, use the same simple gestures and commands,
repeated often in a context that enables your dog to understand what you
expect of him.
Always encourage and reinforce good behaviour. Do not
launch into long explanations that he is unable to understand anyway. Be
consistent. For example, do not let him chew an old slipper and then expect
him to know the difference between it and your new shoes. Do not let your
mood dictate what your dog is permitted to do: do not allow him to jump up
on the sofa and sit with you just because you are feeling sad or lonely.
If you can show that you are the boss and you are patient,
firm and fair, owning a dog can be a great source of satisfaction. Remember,
a master who is consistent in his demands and takes the time to reinforce
his dog's good behaviour is much less likely to have his authority
challenged. On the contrary, the dog will appreciate the stability and be a
loyal companion. |
