Dog Training Philosophy
Dog training is split into two schools of thought, compulsion
or traditional training, and positive training. Both have
proved to be very effective, however one is often followed
by dangerous side effects. Compulsion training is an easy
fix that offers almost instant results, which is why it
is so popular. Compulsion trainers have an authoritative
methodology towards training. It is basically a “do it
because I tell you to” way of thinking. Physical corrections
that are borderline abusive can often be utilized to train
and maintain new behaviors. With compulsion training,
the dog’s primary motivation for good behavior is to avoid
a physical correction. Joshua firmly believes that this
method of training breaks a dog down to the point where
it is afraid to express their true personality. The traditional
training mentality masks problematic behaviors, the dog
never actually learns how to behave, and it just becomes
scared to misbehave. Along with teaching a dog to live
with intimidation the dog may develop negative associations
with everyday life, which can often digress into dangerous
conditions.
The
second school of thought is Positive training. The use
of food and rewards are utilized to teach the dog specific
behaviors. Instead of using harsh corrections like shock
and prong collars, positive trainers use shaping, capturing,
and luring as their primary methods. Positive reinforcement
(the dog works for something it desires), and negative
punishment (removing something good for misbehavior) will
make training exciting and stimulating for owner and dog.
An everyday comparison that a person can relate to may
make this concept a little easier to comprehend. A child
that misbehaves is constantly getting punished by the
parents. The parents make no effort to demonstrate an
alternative behavior that would offer their child the
opportunity to make a better choice; they just continue
to punish the child. Eventually, the child refrains from
performing the undesired behavior, but why? The behavior
is only discontinued to avoid yet another punishment,
this is not learning. Instead of constant punishment what
if when the child misbehaved the parents showed the child
an alternative way to act. When the child demonstrated
the more appropriate behavior it was positively rewarded
and reinforced. The child would not only learn a new
behavior, but he/she will become motivated to perform
it. Even though human and canine cognition is incomparable,
positive reinforcement remains to be the most effective
method of learning, no matter what the species may be.
Joshua
considers himself to be a balanced trainer that employs
a creative and holistic approach. He uses positive methods
to introduce and maintain behaviors, such as food and
praise. Only when the training program is in jeopardy
or may be compromised will he administer mild physical
readjustment. Behaviorists, such as Joshua, are learning
so much about canine behavior, that compulsion ideologies
are not only primitive, but just plain cruel. Make no
mistake, traditional training works much quicker, but
for all the wrong reasons. While it may be easier and
less thought provoking it can be dangerous and excessively
inhumane.
Breed
is the product of an artificially selected relationship
between humans and canines called functional mutualism.
This simply means that a unique ability was recognized
in a specific dog that humans could refine and utilize
to assist with a certain task, such as rounding up sheep
or pulling a sled. This relationship benefits both human
and canine. Joshua believes that any dog can be trained
to perform any task. However, because of physical and
behavioral conformation certain dogs will out perform
others. Still to this day we continue to encourage the
advancement of breed. A year ago Joshua went to purchase
a Weimaraner from a breeder that specializes in gun dogs.
It is for certain that this breeder could recognize distinct
qualities about each dog that would not be obvious to
the average person. The breeder told Josh that he could
have any dog except one. The Weim that the breeder kept
for himself did not stand out from any of the others,
but for some reason that particular dog was not for sale.
Therefore in theory, it can be assumed that the chosen
Weim will receive better care, increasing its chance to
thrive and mate, which will allow the dog to pass on the
desired genetic traits that the breeder wanted to preserve.
Breed is nothing more than genetic ability that has been
nourished and sustained for human benefit through means
of artificial selection.
My
purpose for defining breed is to eliminate the fallacies
and misconceptions about how certain dogs are perceived.
The Doggie Tales mission is to educate potential and current
dog owners how the domesticated canine perceives the world
which will unquestionably induce a reduction of the excessive
numbers of dogs that are euthanized in our society everyday.
So many dogs are not given a chance because their breed
has been inaccurately identified as a problem breed. If
conditions remain identical, a Pitt Bull has the same
chances of displaying aggression as a Border Collie. If
you raise or rehabilitate a dog with love, than you will
get a loving dog no matter what the breed is.
The
number one reason dogs are euthanized in America is because
of untreated and misdiagnosed behavior problems. Joshua
believes that many times the root of these problems is
that dog owners do not choose a breed that is right for
them. So many potential dog owners purchase a dog for
the wrong reasons, such as aesthetics or symbols of masculinity.
Certain breeds require more exercise and stimulation than
others. A balanced relationship between dog and owner
is greatly dependant on choosing a breed that is practical
and befitting to your lifestyle.
Many
times the “leader of the pack” philosophy is directly
interpreted as a traditional training mentality. This
false understanding of this philosophy often empowers
a dog owner to believe the only way to be a leader is
to apply physical corrections and punishment. This is
not how a true leader demonstrates leadership. Joshua
is a firm believer in assuming the role of pack leader.
However there are many misconceptions of what a true pack
leader is.
Contrary
to popular belief the pack mentality for a dog is not
necessarily present at all times. It is a survival function
for hunting. Dogs have much difficulty catching wild prey
without a pack formation. In a village setting, where
the natural selective process from wolf to dog began,
dogs do not live in packs. They do not have to hunt because
they scavenge human waste. So packs are simply an adaptation
for survival. But when you bring a dog into your home,
he is involuntarily thrown into the pack mentality, no
matter how many people are present in the household. Once
the dog becomes acclimated to a pack, a leader must be
present. If the dog does not recognize the presence of
a true leader, he/she will assume the very stressful and
exhausting position. This is where many behavior problems
begin.
In
the first half of the 1900’s canine behavior problems
were not so frequent. During this time domestic dogs were
responsible members of the family. The family dog was
designated a specific job to do, like retrieving dinner,
or guarding the household. People had less disposable
incomes, so the dog had to eat human scraps. Alarm systems
were non-existent, so the dog slept outside patrolling
the house. Because people could not afford to replace
furniture dogs were not aloud on the couch. Dogs were
not treated like children; they were treated like a domesticated
canine. Joshua believes that so many unnatural phobias
and nervous disorders exist today because a clear and
consistent pecking order is not present among family members.
Today dogs are treated like children, and they do not
think like children so it becomes almost inevitable that
the family dog will become unbalanced and assume the leadership
position. So many families allow their dog to eat whenever
it wants and to assume possession over household items.
Your dog does not want to be the leader of your family.
It is an unnatural and very stressful position to be in.
Dogs are happier following clear and concise rules that
never change. The goal is to mimic an organic pack pecking
order. Joshua can show you and your family how to be benevolent
leaders that are strong, dependable, and have an understanding
of natural social rituals that will make your dog happier
and a true member of the pack.
Philosophy
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