By Stacey Dexter
I have a friend back East who has never trained her dog. To do anything. I love dogs to pieces but when visiting my friend, her (big) dog jumps on me, barks incessantly, and has no concept of manners. It’s a little annoying. But I also know it’s not the dog’s fault.
How often have we heard how difficult a dog is to train? How often have we seen any consistency on the guardians’ end? We are trying to fit these pets into our world, so wouldn’t it make sense that we’re the ones to show them how it works?
Unfortunately, most humans blame the dog for any adverse behaviors instead of looking at what we’re doing to cause them. The most underutilized tool is consistency. Working on one issue at a time is also best.
Patience and consistency are so important when it comes to training a dog and securing their trust. Dogs who trust their guardians are much more motivated to please them than a petrified one.
Striking a dog to get it to behave is absolutely not okay and does nothing to teach your dog what you want from them. Dogs are like kids when it comes to behavioral training: repetition and positive reinforcement are key, not violence and fear.
Humans nowadays are fortunate to have multiple, dedicated television channels for all things animal. Lucky Dog with Brandon McMillian, The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan, and Dr. Chris, Pet Vet (based in Australia) are three I like best. I enjoy learning new ways to deal with dogs’ anxieties, aggressions, fears, and idiosyncrasies.
With Dr. Chris, Pet Vet, we are invited behind the veterinarian’s waiting room doors to see how injured or sick pets are managed, and the vet’s approach not only to the pets’ health, but the care taken in collaborating with the guardians to obtain the best possible results. I learn something every time.
According to veteran dog trainer McMillian of the television series Lucky Dog, each dog should be taught seven fundamental commands for good behavior:
Sit
Stay
Come
Down
Off
Heel
No
I love these but can honestly say that none of my dogs have ever mastered all seven commands. I don’t think I’ve tried teaching them any of them beyond Come, Sit, and No.
My commands are questions; “Who wants a treat/cookie?” “You wanna eat?” “You wanna go for a walk?” “Who’s mama’s good boy/girl?” “Wanna go for a ride?” These are important questions.
I have been fortunate enough to have dogs throughout my life who were not a handful in the manners department, rarely jumped on people, and were not aggressive.
I’ve had Husky mixes, Tibetan Spaniel mixes, and Shepard mixes. The mutts are the best, though rescuing ex-racing greyhounds are the most fun to observe as they experience the joy of a real home with luxuriously soft beds instead of a cement cage 23 hours a day.
Now that I’m occasionally fostering dogs for the Verde Valley Humane Society in Cottonwood, Arizona, I’ve been brushing up on any skills I DO have and trying to pick up more of them along the way.
Some dogs I’ve had the pleasure of fostering needed to be taught not to jump up onto the kitchen counters, to control barking urges, how to navigate stairs, approach strangers, engage with other dogs in a positive manner, ride in a car, eat slower, and enjoy walks.
I’ve always known in my heart that all dogs are good dogs. Bad dogs are usually the result of improper or no training, damaging human interactions, overbreeding, negative experiences with other dogs, abuse, and neglect.
When watching The Dog Whisperer, I appreciate Ceasar Millan’s belief that we should strive to obtain a Calm-Assertive energy when training our dogs.
Millan is all about the energy we emit. When humans are in a state of anxiety, exuding negativity and fear during training, our dogs pick up this energy and things don’t go as well. He encourages humans to become the pack leader and guide the dog into a Calm-Submissive state. He knows what he’s doing, and dogs seem to understand that he is there to help them. Millan’s philosophy is, “I rehabilitate dogs. I train humans.”
I’m usually intrigued with the creative ways each trainer achieves an outcome. I know it’s television and situations could be altered. I know that there have been a complaints over the years against some of them. But given their shows’ longevity and results, I feel confident gleaning some info from them. I use my best judgement and whenever in doubt, look for another opinion or approach.
Meanwhile, I’ll keep learning and when I’m unsure, I’ll inquire with an expert and do some research. No trainer is perfect and not all training techniques fit every animal. However, if we strive to try humane teachable commands, it will make our lives better, the dog’s life more routine and predictable, and will foster a sense of calm—something humans and pets alike can benefit from each and every day.
