Though I offer dog training in Boston, and the surrounding area, I spent some time recently with a friend of mine, who is a dog trainer in Ohio, at a weekend training workshop. Between sessions, she was telling a story about a recent conversation with a client. It reminded me of so many of my own client conversations, and together we reflected on why this issue – the issue of “too much information” – is such a problem these days.
This dog is displaying aggression, which is a normal canine behavior. However, in the context of this dog’s life with a family, aggression is unacceptable. A professional dog trainer will do more than provide management solutions for this behavior!
Her client had recently adopted an adult dog who had begun to show aggressive behavior towards the family. The client had first asked for the opinions and advice of family and friends, then combed through the countless Internet articles about aggression, and then finally consulted a dog trainer. By the time she met with the dog trainer, she was completely overwhelmed with conflicting information. The dog trainer didn’t help. He took a “my way or the highway” approach to dog training, insisting that this approach was backed by “science” (that’s for another article). His way wasn’t getting any results; in fact, the client felt it was making things worse. Thankfully, the client didn’t give up right then and there, and has since started working with my friend from Ohio. They’re only two sessions in, but already they’re seeing dramatic results! As long as everyone stays the course, this dog is expected to make a full recovery and remain in his home.
Why did it take so long to reach a dog training approach that worked? Why didn’t all the advice from friends, articles on the internet, or instructions from a so-called professional get the job done? Why is nearly every client I work with overwhelmed by the amount of conflicting dog training advice, and feeling hopeless after working with one (or more) unsuccessful dog trainers? After returning to dog training in Boston, and spending some time reflecting on this, I believe there are two primary reasons. First, the rapid increase in the number of people who consider themselves to be dog training professionals. About two decades ago, the popularity of a particular dog training approach began to skyrocket. Although this approach has some merits, it is, by nature, a very narrow approach. As such, it is unsuitable for the resolution (as opposed to the management) of behavior issues. Despite the downfalls of this approach, its popularity prompted a rapid increase in the number of “professional” dog trainers who insist upon using this approach alone. They call themselves professionals, although they offer few, if any, true solutions to common behavior problems. I know my professional colleagues (the real ones) will agree that at least 75% of our clients come to us after working with one (or more) narrow-minded dog trainers. They’ve failed to achieve any lasting results, and in many cases, any results at all.
A shy puppy can potentially develop into a fear-aggressive adult. A professional dog trainer will understand how this happens, why this happens, and how to overcome it!
In fact, I just finished working with a Boston dog training client who had previously consulted with one of these “professional” dog trainers about her fear-aggressive dog. This dog had been a part of her family from early puppyhood, and though she had always been “a little shy,” she had become fear aggressive within her first year of life. After a single phone conversation, this so-called professional condemned the dog to death. That’s right, without even meeting the dog, this person recommended euthanasia as the “best option” and surrender to a sanctuary as the only other option. According to this person (it’s hard to even refer to this person as a “dog trainer” at this point), the dog was beyond help. Therein lies the trouble with so many dog trainers these days: the mentality that “if I can’t do it, no one can.”
Well, I can, for one. So can many of my colleagues. This client is not alone – every day, my colleagues and I talk with people who have had similar experiences. Another dog trainer I know, who does dog training in Pittsburgh, relayed a story about a client who was told that euthanasia would be more humane than professional dog training. As it turns out, the dog trainer who condemned this dog billed herself as a “Positive Reinforcement Only” dog trainer, and did not subscribe to applying any balance to her approach, which was all this particular dog needed. What a disservice to dogs, and to the people who love them! It’s upsetting to think about how many people are stuck “managing” resolvable behavior issues, or worse, how many dogs are surrendered due to behavior issues that are resolvable, and worse still, how many dogs are euthanized due to the misguided idea that the dog is beyond help.
Surfing the net isn’t a bad thing, but don’t try too much without the guidance of a competent, professional dog trainer!
The second, and far less dramatic, reason for so much dog-related misinformation is the internet. These days, everyone from Kindergartners to grandparents uses the internet. Anyone can surf the web, and nearly anyone can publish content for others to find. Anyone can post dog training tips, advice, things to try, and things to avoid. The trouble with this is that a good dog training approach takes into account many environmental factors. Additionally, the temperament of the dog, and personalities of the dog’s human family must also be considered. I’ve studied dog behavior modification extensively, and when I was in school, the textbook definition of this protocol was called a “Cynopraxic” approach to dog training. It’s really the most fair way to tackle a dog’s behavior issue, and gives the dog and its family the best chance for success.
Advise found on the internet is a good start, but woefully inadequate when you consider that most dog behavior issues are caused by several factors, usually both environmental and temperamental. It’s just not realistic to expect to solve a behavioral issue by reading a few websites. If it were that simple, every dog behavior issue would be covered in a troubleshooting guide that all dog owners would keep handy (and I wouldn’t have a job!). “If the dog does this, then do this.” Problem solved!
Always remember, that in reality, rarely does a single dog behavior issue stand alone. Dog owners who are surfing the web for solutions to their dog’s behavior issues are well-meaning, but desperate. They’ll try anything, and they often try everything. Ask any dog trainer of any kind to name the most important factor in dog training, and every single one will say CONSISTENCY (if they don’t, please forward me their information). If the owner of a problem dog is trying every suggestion they can find without the guidance of a competent, professional dog trainer, when one suggestion doesn’t show results, they will switch courses and try something different.
When dog owners do this, one thing is guaranteed: inconsistency. The dog, who was likely already experiencing a degree of stress, is now experiencing massive amounts of stress from this new surge of inconsistency in their environment. More stress means a higher anxiety level, which ultimately leads to more behavior problems. Problem not solved – problem worse!
I would never suggest that you ignore the internet, so if your dog is suffering from behavior issues, please go ahead and research the heck out of it. Just be careful not to experiment too much – if it’s not working, stop and seek help. When you’re ready to seek help, be sure to research the professional dog trainers in your area. Be wary of anyone who appears narrow-minded – such as a dog trainer who says they ONLY use “X” method, or worse, who doesn’t tell you what they do, but goes on and on about the things they don’t do. If you like their approach, go ahead and give them a try. Just promise me that when it isn’t working, you won’t allow this person to convince you that your dog is beyond help. Your dog probably can be helped, and I hope you’ll keep searching for someone who has a thorough understanding of canine behavior, and how to fairly and efficiently modify it. If you are in need of dog training in Boston, we’re out there, and we can help.
Oh and by the way – remember the dog I mentioned, the one who was fear aggressive and who was pronounced “beyond help” by the other trainer? She’s doing much better, living happily with her family. Change IS possible!