No one can argue the huge societal change that has occurred over the past 10 years. Probably longer, but that’s as far as I’m going to go back. Why? Because that is longer than the length of time that I’ve been involved in competition obedience. I’m not going to debate the positives and negatives of different forms of training...that has been done ad nauseam. But, primarily, I just really do not care.
Fortunately, I don’t have to make my living as a dog trainer. Because, if I did, I would have to worry about what others thought of my training methods. I would have to cover my website in flowery descriptions, including “force free”, “positive only”, or “clicker” because that is how a lot of people think dogs need to be trained. (Ironically, some trainers who have these words plastered all over their websites, also order prong collars from me in bulk.) I would have to defend my props or tools, calling them “positive tools” to train a dog. I would have to micro manage my dog’s life and surroundings so they were never put in a position to think for themselves.
If you want to train with a clicker, go for it. If you are stuck in the old compulsion days, go for it. If you think you can talk to your dog telepathically, go for it!! I won’t judge you. I promise. Well, except for the telepathic people...I will probably judge you. :) But one thing I will do, I will call a spade a spade. If you are being unfair, I will tell you. If your dog has got your number, I will tell you that too. And, if I don’t know the answer, I will try to help you find one.
My belief is that dogs should be happy when training. I want my dog to push me to work and interact, even if it requires several training sessions each day. While I have trained dogs in a prong collar, I am currently training only in a buckle collar, relying on my hands to do any correcting (if necessary). I guide, I encourage and I require...depending on the dog, it's training and the given situation.
All dogs are built differently. Some dogs can heel with their heads up and others can't. I do not believe that heads up heeling is required or necessary for all dogs. But, don't confuse attention heeling with heads up heeling. Attention is required to be competitive. Heads up heeling looks nice and improves the overall picture, but is not required. I do not believe it is good training to force a dog to keep his head up, if his structure does not allow it.
Train the dog in front of you. If they need more positive and ego-stroking, do it. If they need more rules and boundaries, do it. But, don’t train a particular way because that is what the cult around is doing. Let your dog and his actions determine how you train. And, by all means, if the people around you are training in a way that makes you uncomfortable...LEAVE.
My methods are constantly evolving. I am continually watching other trainers work their dogs...how they train new exercises, how they respond to problems, and how they read their dogs. I find it fascinating. I look forward to training my dogs, working through problems and seeing the lightbulb come on. I love training with people who share the same views as I do, just as much as I enjoy training with people who have other training beliefs and backgrounds.
Oh...and if you are wondering what the person’s response was at the dog show, when I asked them why they thought I didn’t correct my dog...it was “because your dog is so happy in the ring”. It was one of the best compliments I have ever received. But, in truth, if he’s so happy, why does it matter “how” I train??
Train hard. Play harder.
Shannon
Train the dog in front of you. If they need more positive and ego-stroking, do it. If they need more rules and boundaries, do it. But, don’t train a particular way because that is what the cult around is doing. Let your dog and his actions determine how you train. And, by all means, if the people around you are training in a way that makes you uncomfortable...LEAVE.
My methods are constantly evolving. I am continually watching other trainers work their dogs...how they train new exercises, how they respond to problems, and how they read their dogs. I find it fascinating. I look forward to training my dogs, working through problems and seeing the lightbulb come on. I love training with people who share the same views as I do, just as much as I enjoy training with people who have other training beliefs and backgrounds.
Oh...and if you are wondering what the person’s response was at the dog show, when I asked them why they thought I didn’t correct my dog...it was “because your dog is so happy in the ring”. It was one of the best compliments I have ever received. But, in truth, if he’s so happy, why does it matter “how” I train??
Train hard. Play harder.
Shannon
