Why Should I Train My Dog?
Dorene Olson
TARA Training and Behavior, LLC
WyndSong Border Collies and Canada Goose Management
Teaching Animals with Respect and Affection
314-956-1310
This article first appeared in the Spring/Summer 2004 edition of Corgi Tails, the newsletter of Faery Tails Corgi Rescue of St. Louis Inc. it is reprinted here with permission.
When people think of Doggie Obedience School, most often the image is of the old fashioned trainers school. There are several themes that echo the concerns that are voiced to me everyday by clients. These include valid resentment about the use of choke chain collars, prong collars and the use of force in training; the use of punishment, such as kneeing your dog in the chest for jumping up on you; and the drill-like routines of heeling and militaristic training techniques that an average owner has no interest in learning. Unfortunately, many of the training schools in St. Louis still follow this teaching philosophy.
Todays busy household has very different demands that do not include time for a regimented 30 - 60 minute daily drill session for the family dog. Todays household has kids coming and going, or busy partners working hectic schedules, or the single person stretched to cover all the dog chores alone. When clients get home from work, very rarely do they have time to attach a choke collar to the family pet and yank her around for a half hour. Nor is this an activity that they are looking for. So many people ask: Why should I train my dog? .
Positive training methods have been employed on either coast since the mid 1980s and are slowing filtering to the St. Louis region. Positive training methods employ such kind training techniques as food rewards for offered behaviors, using clickers or verbal reward markers to catch your dog doing something RIGHT, and redirecting or ignoring, rather than punishing, undesirable behaviors.
TARA Training and Behavior recognizes that our modern busy schedules, and greater recognition of abuses in the traditional training structures, pose new challenges to the education of our canine companions. Yet like any relational, community-oriented being, our dogs still need education in manners and etiquette. So the answer to the question: Does my dog need to go to school? is a resounding You betcha! .
TARAs classes are based on three levels, differentiated by the skills each dog has already acquired, and are called Basic Manners and Household Training Classes. The core curriculum in each class includes such exercises as verbal and hand signals for Sit and Sit Stay, Down and Down Stay, and Stand and Stand Stay. Each class also includes loose lead walking and coming when called. At each level, manners skills such as meeting and greeting strangers appropriately (dogs and people), waiting at doorways and gateways, riding in the car, handling of mouths and paws, and environmental enrichement through puzzle toys and entertainment are taught. Dogs learn and practice settling and calming skills. Owners are taught the basics of learning theory and to understand how their canine companions THINK, so that they can teach any behavior or stop any unwanted behavior kindly and without stress to either dog or human. Classes are based on clicker training but it is not forced - if a handler is uncomfortable using a clicker, a verbal reward marker is used instead.
Each group gets to taylor their own class modules. For instance, if all pet caregivers really arent interested in teaching a sit stay, but all wish to teach their dogs to roll over, then that is taught to the group rather than (for them) an unwanted exercise. Lectures on behavior modification, canine learning theory, grooming, veterinary care, nutrition and communication between species, among other topics, are emphasized in each session.
The cornerstone to TARA Training and Behaviors obedience training program, however, is the emphasis on meaningful interaction between canine and human caregiver. Dogs can learn to recognize specialized training equipment or training sessions and limit their good behavior to times when certain specifics are present, rather than generalize good behavior. Often clients sadly report to me: He will obey IF he is wearing his prong collar, but not unless he has it on. At TARA, humans are taught how to make every interaction an instructional and meaningful interaction, so that lessons will apply no matter what equipment the dog wears or what is going on it her environment. Dogs will learn how to globalize good behavior and manners, so that they will remain welcome companions in public and in their homes, especially when company is present or distractions are tempting. As a result, they will be welcomed in those areas, included in the human companionship and activities, and behavior problems caused by boredom and lonliness will be made obsolete.
So here is the answer to the question: Should I train my dog? . YES, train your dog. You and your dog have the responsibility of showing an increasingly hostile public that dogs are welcome companions and citizens. Help fight the growing numbers of anti-dog and anti-breed specific legislation that is going on world-wide, nation-wide, state-wide and right here in St. Louis. Prove by your behavior - and more importantly, your dogs behavior - that dogs can and should be welcome companions, rather than banned by size, weight, numbers or breed. Train your dog? YES!
Dorene Olson offers private consultations and group classes. She has been helping St. Louis pet owners for over ten years! Her clientele ranges from canines and felines to exotic pets. To reach Dorene call TARA Training and Behavior, LLC at 314-956-1310.
For more information on anti-dog and anti-breed specific legislation, see The American Dog Owners Association, Inc, To Promote, Protect and Defend Responsible Dog Ownership, at adoa.org. Breed and dog-specific legislation is rampant in the St. Louis area, get involved NOW before it is too late.
From their website: The American Dog Owners Association preserves the special relationship between dogs and mankind by protecting and defending the rights of responsible dog ownership, opposing detrimental and supporting appropriate regulation for dog owners; educating the public and promoting standards for safe and civilized treatment of dogs.
Since 1970, ADOA has been the voice of responsible dog owners and member dog clubs across the United States. ADOA has spoken and still speaks to legislators and in courts to protect rights of responsible dog owners and their dogs. ADOA's membership is composed of member dog clubs and individual dog-owner members representing responsible dog owners from all walks of life, from all over the United States.
ADOA is member-supported by local dog clubs, state-wide federations, and by individuals. Their support consists of their membership dues and donations towards the preservation of responsible dog ownership."
