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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