training

You have just got your new puppy - how exciting !! You watch them every minute, they are so innocent, loving and very special. You want what is best for them. You have heard that they need to be socialized, and trained. As you investigate all of the options, if you are like most , you will become confused. There is so much information available. Not all of it is correct or true. How do you know what to believe??

Start by deciding what your guiding principles are regarding your puppy or dog. What are you comfortable doing to and with your dog? There are so many choices out there now for dog training. You can train using Lure & Reward, Clickers, Regular collars, prong collars, Choke chains and even Shock collars. Dog training is a very unregulated industry. Anyone can say they are a dog trainer and do almost anything to a dog in the name of training. It is not illegal in this Country to use shock collars on dogs or any other animal. It is illegal in some other Countries.

You have to make choices when it comes to training your dog just as you make choices in most other areas of your life. Research various trainers and training methods. Choose methods that make sense to you and you feel comfortable using.

I have chosen to use Clicker Training because it works in a way that does not need aversives.   Clicker Training is based in the Sciences of How Dogs /Animals Learn. These theories have been proven over and over, researched, and tested. That appeals to me. Training that is based in Pack Behaviour and Dominance Maneuvers doesn't work for me and as time goes on more and more information is available that proves the old Pack Behaviour has little truth to it. Alpha Wolf Article

Dogs are not necessarily the Pack Animals we once thought they were. Dingo dogs who are being studied now don't form packs!! Other wild dogs who are in research also don't form packs. The wolves that were studied didn't really do the behaviours I was taught early on in my dog training career. I'm not sure where all that data/fiction came from, but what I am sure of, is many dogs suffered abuse because of it. If your physical corrections weren't working, you are told to do it faster and harder. That just doesn't wash for me . When I use a clicker and treats to train my dogs the look on their face says I Love this, I love being with you, and I want to work!! That for me is what having a dog is all about.
Back to choices. You need to make choices that you are comfortable with. I made mine about 20 years ago and I'm so glad I did.

What I'd look for:

An Instructor who:
              Provides training that is fun !!
        Provide a clear explanation of each lesson.
        Demonstrate the behaviour(s) that students will be teaching to their dogs.
        Provide clear instructions and written handouts on how to teach the behaviour(s).
        Give students ample time to practice.
        Assist students with proper implementation of techniques.
         A skilled and professional trainer will be courteous to both canine and human clients alike.
         Choose training tools and methods that you are comfortable with
         Look for humane training methods which are not harmful to the dog and/or handler.
         Choose a trainer who keeps up to date about innovations in dog training, behaviour tools and technique and pursues ongoing education
        Choose a trainer who belongs to educational organizations such as CAPPDT or APDT
        Observing a group class gives you the opportunity to ask clients how they feel about their experience - if they are enjoying the class and feel that their training needs and goals are being met.
        Allows Family members and others who interact with the dog to participate

What I'd Avoid:
                   Trainers who guarantee the results of his/her training or make statements that dogs can be trained quickly using their methods or tools
        Trainers who won't let you observe a class.
        Avoid techniques that work by causing your dog to be afraid ( Shaker Cans and /or Spray Bottles).
.        Avoid training devices that could cause the dog pain, or distress, certain collars ( choke or Pinch) or shock collars. These collars work by causing pain to your dog. I do not think there is any need for these devices in basic obedience classes.

See Terminology Page for a guide to common dog training terms and their Meaning

* CAAPDT Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers
*APDT American Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers

Choose the Right Format

Private Classes
        Can accommodate special needs of the clients.
        Can be arranged to suit your schedule.
         Can start your puppy as soon as you bring it home
        Can focus on your specific problems.
        Reactive or very shy dogs may benefit from Private Instruction first before integration into a regular class.
        Is really best for dogs with aggression issues, anxiety issues or any behaviour problem that is excessive

Board & Train
In this type of training the owner and family are excluded from the initial training with their dog. Since dog training is about forming a relationship , dogs often work for their trainer and don't easily transfer the lessons learn, falling right back into old habits as soon as they are home. If this is the method you choose check it out very very carefully and be sure you trust the trainer not to do anything harmful to your dog.

Group Classes
         Provide socialization for your dog with other people and dogs.
        Let you meet and learn from other dog owners.
        Provides needed distractions to help you train your dog to pay attention to you.
        Are less expensive than Private Training.

Choosing Your Facility/Club

Find a facility that is dedicated to dog training as its main service. Look for a facility with enough training space to allow you and your dog room to practice the skills being taught.
This can provide you with:
Experienced professional trainers whose primary goal is to assist you and your dog. There is no hidden agenda to sell you other products such as food and training tools.
Professional trainers who work with dogs in a variety of sports and endeavors can offer you many more techniques that they learn in other venues.
Personal consultation to deal with questions or problems outside of your training sessions is usually available.
Don't let cost be your only criteria. Professional dog trainers will cost more but may save you in the long run. Professional trainers can assess and help you prevent future problems before they become a crisis.
Choose a facility that can offer training in a variety of classes - you never know what path you may want to take with your new best friend.

It is all about Choices!

NOTE
* 75 % of dogs surrendered to Animal Shelters are there due to Behaviour Problems - you owe it to your dog to become an informed consumer

Aversive
    Something the animal is willing to work to avoid.
Balanced Training *
    A type of training usually using equal amounts of punishment and Positive reinforcement. There can be harmful fallout from punishment that I'd be leery of!!
Behavior
    Anything an animal does.
Calming signals
    Subtle body signals used by dogs to indicate stress, to diffuse confrontational situations and/or to avoid aggression.
Classical conditioning
    The process of associating a neutral stimulus with an involuntary response until the stimulus elicits the         response. - Pavlov's Dogs
Clicker
    A toy noisemaker. Animal trainers make use of the clicker as an event marker to mark a desired response. The sound of the clicker is an excellent marker because it is unique, quick, and consistent.
Compulsion training
    The traditional style of dog training, where the dog is modeled or otherwise compelled to perform the behavior and physically corrected for noncompliance.
Conditioned reinforcer
    A neutral stimulus paired with a primary reinforcer until the neutral stimulus takes on the reinforcing properties of the primary. A clicker, after being repeatedly associated with a food treat or other reinforcer, becomes a conditioned reinforcer.
Consequence
    The result of an action. Consequences frequently "but not always "affect future behavior, making the behavior more or less likely to occur. The five principles of operant conditioning describe the potential results.
Continuous reinforcement
    The simplest schedule of reinforcement. Every desired response is reinforced.
Correction *
    Often used as a euphemism for the application of a physical aversive. The aversive is intended to communicate that the dog did something wrong. In some cases the trainer then guides the dog through the desired behavior. The application of an aversive followed by desired behavior is considered instructive, thus the euphemism.
Force Free Method
Can be another euphemism for the use of Shock Collar Training or may also be a very positive oriented training method - a case of Buyer Beware!
E-Touch Training*
        Training using an electronic shock collar
Luring
    A hands-off method of guiding the dog through a behavior. For example, a food lure can be used to guide a dog from a sit into a down. This is a common method of getting more complex behaviors. Lures are usually food, but they may also be target sticks or anything else the dog will follow. Trainers must take care to fade the lure early.
Modeling
    A technique used in traditional training to get behavior. At the outset, the dog is physically guided or otherwise compelled into doing the behavior. Pushing a dogs rear into a sit is modeling. Clicker trainers don't use modeling because we want our dogs to be active participants in the training process, using their own brains to figure out what will earn them clicks.
Remote Training*
         Training using an electronic shock collar
Traditional training*
    Compulsion training. Traditional training is characterized by modeling or luring to get the behavior and the use of negative reinforcement and positive punishment to proof it.

* these terms are often used by trainers who believe in Dominating the Dog and forcing behaviours. There is always some form of physical punishment to train the dogs. The dogs learn to avoid the punishment.