Step one:  The key to good behavior

By Norma Bennett Woolf

Many dogs have no manners, and they and their unfortunate owners suffer the consequences.

Obedience training, i.e., teaching dogs to follow instructions, is the key to teaching manners and to preventing, moderating or resolving frustrating behaviors. Obedience training covers a wide range of lessons a dog can learn, including tricks, family manners, show ring exercises, and skill demonstrations. Every owner of a therapy dog, search and rescue dog, herding dog, drug or arson dog, service dog, etc. begins with basic obedience training.

Training would be a cinch if dogs and owners had a common language. However, dogs have their own attitudes, voice and body language, and mindset. They can be stubborn, dominant, submissive, or fearful, characteristics that can make them difficult to train. Owners also have their own attitudes and mindsets: they can be meek or bold, harried or calm, cheerful or dour, coordinated or clumsy. Therefore, methods and equipment must be adapted to both the dog and the owner to make the process as easy and enjoyable as possible and to increase chances of success.

Training techniques and equipment

Training can be accomplished at home, in an obedience class, or with a private trainer. Training requires patience, a collar, a leash, a sense of humor, patience, and an understanding of dog behavior. That understanding can come from one or more of the many excellent books written about training companion dogs or from an obedience instructor or dog trainer.

Obedience exercises should be useful at home. The dog should learn to sit on command and be expected to sit whenever and wherever he is told to do so. He should learn to lie down so he won't beg at the table or bother the kids at play and will ride quietly in the car, etc. He should learn to stand still so he can be groomed or examined by the veterinarian, he should walk on a leash without pulling, and he should come when he is called.

Most people do not know how to train their dog, especially if the dog's personality and attitude differs from their own. And most dogs present some kind of training challenge. Some do not respond to tenderness and coaxing, and others melt at a firm tone of voice. Some are dominant and require strength of muscle as well as strength of will, and others are eager to please. Some are bright and quick, and others are, well, slow learners.

A gaggle of trainers

Unfortunately, there is no requirement that instructors at obedience schools or businesses know how to train a dog to be a well-mannered pet, so just about anyone can throw a few mats on the floor, print up some flyers, and claim to be a dog trainer.

When searching for a trainer, here are some things to keep in mind.

An obedience instructor is someone who teaches you to train your dog. An obedience instructor works with people, the people work with their pets. Most instructors understand that dogs have a dominance hierarchy in their social structure, that that hierarchy is transferred to the human family, and that humans must direct the relationship or the dog will rule the roost. Some instructors help owners learn to read their dog's behavior, to be the dominant member of the team, and to use minimal discipline to achieve the training goal. Others teach owners to train by intimidation. Still others over-analyze the dogs and the problems, explaining in great detail the psychology of the dog's mind at the moment of disobedience instead of working out a plan to eliminate or circumvent the bad behavior.

A dog trainer teaches your dog to obey, then teaches you how to get the dog to listen to you.

A behavior consultant has education and should have experience in observing, interpreting, and understanding dog behavior and correcting it when appropriate. A behavior consultant may be a board-certified veterinary specialist or an animal behaviorist without a veterinary degree; his job is to evaluate the dog and help you devise a plan for moderating or eliminating the unacceptable conduct.

A training collar fits around the dog's neck that gives the handler control. Training collars include variations of the traditional buckle collar; nylon, chain link, or leather slip collars; prong collars; head halters; and electronic collars. The choice of a collar should complement the dog’s personality and learning style and the owner’s strength and ability, so it may take some trial and error to find the most effective piece of equipment.

If training is the key to good behavior, a suitable collar is the key to successful training. Collars control and direct the dog; they are tools that must be fitted and used properly, not instruments of torture or punishment.

A leash is the connection between the dog and the handler; leashes come in fabric (nylon or cotton) and leather. Length is a consideration; short leashes give more control and long leashes give the trained dog more freedom. Retractable leashes are not suitable for most training but can be effective when teaching the dog to come. Long lines (similar to lunging lines for horses) can also be used to teach a dog to come and to pay attention.

A correction helps the dog distinguish between the behavior you want and behavior that you don’t want. A dog should be guided to the behavior you want and should not be corrected until you know he understands the command. Corrections should be the gentlest possible to achieve the goal. Sometimes, clearing the throat or saying “wrong” is all that’s necessary. (I often say “Excuse me!?” in a tone that gets the dog’s attention.) Sometimes a change in direction or a lure (a toy or a treat) will redirect his focus. If not, a tug on the leash or collar is indicated.

The ultimate goal of dog training is to build a bond between pet and family. At best, the process should be enjoyable. At worst, it should be emotionally neutral. It should never be a chore. The best training classes are those that help owners understand their dogs and create their own solutions with a variety of tools and techniques; the worst are those that require adherence to one method – whether that method is too harsh or bends over backwards to eliminate corrections. The former techniques create fearful dogs, and the latter can encourage unacceptable behaviors and allow a dominant dog to become a tyrannical pet.

Advocacy Center
Mission | The Advocates | Position Statements