Why does the professional canine community continue to support, promote and conduct group training classes and other questionable practices for training dogs?”
Answer: It might surprise readers to discover that no standard of professionalism or criteria for competency exists for dog trainers or behaviorists. There appears to be no limits to the incredulous claims some canine professionals can imply regarding their experience or expertise. Even those who have matriculated from a training school may still have to be viewed with suspicion. Far too many of them continue to use treats for training, which in my opinion is a form of bribery and counterintuitive to a mother dog's natural training methods. I am also dismayed at the increased use of questionable training devices such as prong and electrical collars, which can use pain as a stimulant for learning. This approach would never be used or advocated to expedite a child’s learning curve. Why must dogs suffer?
· Always contact your local Better Business Bureau before engaging any professional canine service.
If something feels wrong or contrary to the ways you would normally interact with your dog during a canine obedience class, or in-home canine evaluation session, then it is wrong. It is relatively easy, for example, for an unscrupulous or incompetent canine trainer to convince a client that the family dog first needs behavioral work before beginning an obedience training program. (An ignorant or unaware consumer makes for a perfect cash cow.) The trainer might place a puppy or dog on its back, hold it down and expect the animal to remain motionless and compliant for several minutes. If the dog nips or scratches the evaluator while attempting to break away (Wouldn’t you?), it might be deemed potentially aggressive. $Ka-ching$.
Many canine professionals, canine authors and television personalities are also likely to ignore another very significant detail. Most of them assume that men and women who own dogs have the same needs, objections, abilities and expectations and therefore can receive the same instructions for teaching their dogs’ obedience commands or implementing a behavior modification program. Many women however have three to five natural characteristics that can cause a dog to display aggression or unruly behavior. Think the dog can’t detect a difference between the sexes? Think, again!
The Department of Agriculture could rectify my concern — and those of the consumer, once they realize a problem exists — if the agency required all dog trainers and behaviorists to pass a state certification program which included a basic understanding of the following:
· canine nutrition
· animal physiology
· rudimentary human & canine first aid
· professional & business ethics
· basic human psychology
· universally recognized training curriculum
This is unlikely to happen because many self-proclaimed (but dubious) dog trainers and behaviorists, as well as large national pet store chains that offer training, services, continue to lobby against such a proposal. Adherence to the aforementioned criteria would be a time consuming and costly venture for many of them.
I require all potential clients to participate in a 90-minute, in-home canine evaluation program. This session provides me the opportunity to determine if the home environment is clean and safe for the dog before conducting a canine psychological profile. I also explain during this presentation how my training and behavior modification program are dependent on three important criteria:
Scientific Evidence: If information can’t be backed up with substantial evidence, what is the point in giving it any credence? For example, have the claims made on specialty dog foods been verified by an independent research group? Ask your veterinarian for evidence to support their trust in the products they sell.
Practicality: If the client is unable to execute a behavioral modification or training recommendation due to a physical impairment, an alternative solution must be found. I witnessed someone on crutches participating in a group training program with her dog, but the trainer appeared reluctant to offer any alternative methods to make the woman’s experience more comfortable. The trainer also failed during that time to explain how some dogs might be inclined to take advantage of an owner with disabilities because it might perceive the owner at times as weak, incapacitated or needing protection.
Common sense: Isn’t it astounding how the mother dog has been negated by most of the canine training community despite the fact that she is the most influential factor in a puppy’s life and development? Conversely, the domesticated daddy dog, the
alpha dog everyone is supposed to admire and emulate, seldom bonds for life with its mate, or provide its offspring with food, protection or even instructions in basic survival skills. Talk about a deadbeat dad!
During an in-home consultation, I also stress ownership responsibilities as well
as several canine behavioral guidelines to enable the client to begin creating a positive
human-canine partnership.
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