A matter of method
What methods should you use to train your dog?
There are many methods out there, which one is right for you?
One of the most frequent questions people ask when they call Comet Canine is: "What training methods do you use?". The people that call us have often talked to other trainers, are shopping around on the web, or have seen some sort of advertising for other dog trainers. They are trying to make sense of all the claims they see out there about the methods that each of these trainers use. Many trainers try to differentiate their service by claiming to use that 'one special technique' that is going to get your dog trained, fast. You may come across trainers who describe their method as: "Holistic", "Natural", or "Instinctual". There are those who claim to be: "Scientific" or "Results-Oriented." Some trainers say they are: "Positive", or "Reward-based." Some bill themselves as "Behaviorists", Consultants, Specialists. Some claim to be 'certified' or accredited.
How are you, the consumer, supposed to make sense of this and make a good choice? What do all these things mean? Are they just marketing gimmicks, ways for each business to separate themselves from each other, or is there meaning behind them? Do these people stand behind their claims?
When people ask me what method I use, my answer, delivered with a tongue in cheek tone, but meant in all seriousness, is "All of them." The reason I say this is because I believe that there is not one method or philosophy that works with all dogs. As an experienced and professional trainer who keeps up with current scientific research in my area of expertise I am aware of all the techniques that are used in the industry. I believe each of them has their place. Though I favor certain techniques and methods over others, I leave my bias out of the equation until I am in a hands-on session with a dog and can see what is going to work NOW, with THIS dog. I once heard a real pro-trainer say: "Dogma has no place in Dog-Training," and I believe that.
So what do all those terms I mentioned above mean? I'll go over the most commonly used methods that people cling to, ones that people adhere to dogmatically. I'll say from the start, beware of any trainer who has a closed mind and cannot change tack and switch methods mid-stride. Each of the tools available to us as trainers is useful, and can be used humanely and effectively. Each tool can also be used inhumanely, ineffectively, or abusively.
"Holistic Dog-Training." There's a certain competitor of mine who uses this phrase. While they truly believe it, I have seen their work and often get clients who have already been to see them. The word Holistic really means, "Encompassing a whole body." However, this organization is against using many methods, and dictates which methods their trainers are allowed to use from a home office. A truly holistic approach to training is one that would encompass as much of the available body of knowledge, lore, art, and science of training as possible. It would focus on the 'whole dog' or the 'whole picture' of the relationship between dog and owner. Instead, they are stuck on using one particular method and theory. In fact, their theory is not founded on modern behavioral science. This is not to say that their method is bad. It is not. It is a useful technique or method. But it is only one of many. I judge their use of the term 'Holistic' to be merely a marketing ploy, not an accurate description of their actual training services.
"Positive or Reward-Based Dog Training." This type of trainer uses only food or the 'click and treat' method to work with dogs. They avoid using any form of aversive or training collar, are terrified of the word discipline or punishment, and often spend their time teaching you to follow your dog around with a treat in your hand, bent over, trying to get your dog to listen. Trainers who bill themselves as 'positive' are claiming a moral high ground and dogmatically clinging to the false belief that what they do is scientific and all other methods are abusive and ineffective. They make false statements claiming that any use of correction or punishment via aversive means in training will result in harm to your dog. To be fair, these people believe what they say. There are many so-called authorities and books out there claiming that this method is the be-all and end-all of dog training, and that it will work miracles with all dogs. But the truth is that again, it is just one more method or technique, has it's use and place, a very important one, but it does not work in all situations with all dogs. In fact, it is a good 'teaching' method, but not a good 'training' method. This method is often claimed to be 'Operant Conditioning," a scientific theory that explains behavior in animals. However, Operant Conditioning encompasses more than just positive reinforcement and rewards. Operant Conditioning encompasses all aspects of behavioral control using a wide variety of methods. A certain group of people called 'radical behaviorists' have interpreted the concept of Operant Conditioning to be a literal force that is 'happening' as a dog learns, instead of seeing it as a mental construct we use to explain behavioral phenomena. They also ignore half of theory, even though thousands of studies have verified that both appetitive and aversive stimuli are effective behavioral control methodologies. Entire veterinary schools are teachign a 'science' that is biased and not based on fact. They are interpreting reality to match their biases, rather than changing their hypotheses to match the thousands of observations of reality that science has made. I know that sounds like a rant, and I guess it is. But I have seen enough people spend money with these types of trainers and not get concrete results. I want people to have accurate information to make good choices.
Electric Collar Training. The electric collar can be a very effective, humane, and useful training tool when put in the right hands. In the wrong hands it can be a torture device. There are some trainers out there who use only this tool on all dogs. While I use the collar on many dogs, it is not suitable for use on all dogs, and it has it's limitations, despite the claims of some trainers. I'm not going to go in too much depth on this one except to say that if you do not get a good feeling from teh trainer, or if this is the only tool they use, then look for someone else. Again, the e-collar is a great addition to any trainer's toolbox, and I'd also question any trainer who DOES NOT use one in some cases. Any trainer who dismisses this excellent tool out of hand has probably never seen it applied correctly, nor seen the results it can give.
So what do we do here at Comet? We use all the methods listed above, and more. Science entails observing phenomena in the natural world, such as dog behavior, and trying to find theories that explain the observations. Over the last 100 years we've got some pretty good theories that are backed up by thousands of observatory studies. A truly scientific approach to dog training means understanding that any theory we have is just a mental construct, a concept we've created to explain something going on in front of our eyes. No theory explains everything. Dogs are living creatures with some level of consciousness, and any effective training philosophy must take this into account. Black and white, rigid, or dogmatic interpretations and practical applications are not efficient or cost effective.
How does this affect you as a consumer of dog training services? By choosing a trainer who truly understands the science, and it's limitations, one who is open-minded, curious, and compassionate, you can get the best results in the shortest period of time, saving you money. So we at Comet truly do use 'all methods'. In our careers we've all used all the tools at our disposal, and this gives you the best chance of seeing success. You could call this an 'integrative' or 'balanced' training style.
Our basic concept is the same as those of any truly scientific training program: Provide appropriate consequences for the dog, contingent upon their behavior and contiguous in time to the behavior, creating an association between the consequence and the behavior. The repeated application of this principle results in 'conditioning' and hopefully in 'instrumental learning' where the dog learns to perform tasks to 'operate' on their environement to achieve a predictable outcome. Dogs that are taught with this in mind have lower anxiety levels, fewer behavior problems, and better relationships with their owners. Owners who learn these principles handle their dogs with more confidence, set better rules, provide more appropriate consequences, and enjoy their dogs more.
In Simple terms, we are doing what every good dog trainer has done over the last 4000 years, built a relationship with a dog based on providing appropriate discipline, food, and affection.
Did you know that you should try not to repeat commands? Learn from Comet Canine's dog training tips and advice in our online dog training articles.
