On Any Crazy Day

So I was supposed to have an analytical report done up for my class, due today. What do I get? A half-assed research paper with no headings or formatting. I is not amused! Just look at this garbage. Not even a title on the damn thing.

Old methods dog training involving force and pain not only broke down of the bond between man and dog, they were only slightly effective at best. New methods of training have evolved such that not only are they more humane. They have proved much more successful, promote faster learning, and strengthen bonds. The purpose of this report is to compare the techniques of old versus modern techniques of dog training. Here we will show that newer techniques have far surpassed older techniques.

Outdated training techniques were done through pain and intimidation, force, intimidation, punishment (especially hitting), and negative reinforcement. These were thought of as a quick fix to training because the dog learned quickly it must obey or suffer the consequences. However, trust and respect from the pup was lost as obedience was unwillingly given severely damaging the bond between pup and trainer or owner (5-p.23) Quick fixes were tempting and easy, but their benefits were short termed and the consequences far out weighted any benefits. Force, intimidation, punishment, and negative reinforcement were the mainstay of every trainer’s arsenal. These methods were often cruel and insensitive to the pup and actually hindered the learning process. They provided no motivation other than pain to preform for the trainer which made the pup resentful with little enthusiasm to please. Choke chains and prong collars for example inflict pain and force compliance, but only for that one command. Resentfulness diminishes a dog’s natural eagerness to please which diminishes the want to learn new tricks. Punishment never promotes good behavior. Because punishment in children promotes better behavior does not mean the same will with dogs. Proof to the owner that the dog knew he did something wrong, is when the owner comes home to destruction caused by a badly behaved dog, and the dog cowers in the corner at the site of his owner. The owner punishes the dog, perhaps by beating it with a newspaper, yet the very next day, the same thing would happen again, and again, and again. The owner would become frustrated because the obviously the dog knew it did something wrong as evidenced by it’s behavior whimpering and cowering. The dog does not have the capacity to remember what it did two hours ago and was actually responding to the body language of the angry owner. Punishment stops bad behavior if it is timed correctly with the behavior, but it is meaningless if given after the action has occurred. It only teaches the pup to fear the trainer (4-p.124) Once we realized that dogs did have feelings and took those considerations into account; we found far more effective and humane ways of training “man’s best friend.”

Taking the time to learn to get your dog’s attention and compliance willingly, eagerly, and enthusiastically is preferred. Most dogs are eager to please their owner and respond well to praise, treats, and toys. Newer training techniques using such motivations not only foster learning, dramatically increase retention, and promotes bonding between the pup and trainer. One new training method that significantly improved the success of training is the clicker. The clicker is great for communicating to the dog “YES, THAT’S WHAT I WANT.” It uses a metal plate to make a loud abrupt noise that marks a specific behavior. When a treat is combined with the “click” of the clicker, the dog understands that performing that behavior gets him a treat. Motivation for this yummy treat strengthens and reinforces the command and helps him remember what you want the next time you ask. Thinking like a dog and becoming the pack leader is essential to the success of modern training techniques. Dogs are by nature pack animals and early on in life they recognize a social hierarchy. As the dog’s owner you must be at the top of that hierarchy. The pack leader controls everything from meal times, play times, and is responsible for the welfare of the pack. There are many ways to do this including using a firm, confident, calm, commanding voice, staying patient, persistent, and using correct body posture while you wait for the dog to comply. Dogs listen to pack leaders, they do not listen to non-pack leaders. These modern techniques using motivation, treat, toys, and praise are very effect tools for training your pup and tend to produce happier dogs. We have discovered positive training methods that motivate and encourage pups tend to be much more effective and humane than older methods and instill an eager want to please making training fun, effective, and long lasting.

We have learned we can actually motivate dogs to do more, faster using treats and motivation than through intimidation and beating them into submission. Intimidation only serve to teach our dogs to fear us. We have also learned that newer methods tend to be not only much more effective and humane, but fun, effective, and longer lasting.

Here are some things to remember when training your pup. Don’t speak harshly as this is counter productive, instead use a fun high pitched tone. High pitched voices convey happiness. Establish your status as leader with a firm voice and correct body posture while you wait for the dog to comply. Pain, intimidation, force, punishment (especially hitting), and negative reinforcement should be avoided. Instead praise, treats, toys, and motivation should be used to instill and promote the pup’s eager want to please. Use a firm, confident, calm, commanding voice, stay patient, persistent, and always make training fun!

Works Cited
1. http://www.pethealthlibrary.com/Article/Pros-and-Cons-of-Dog-Training-Control-Tools/3
2. http://www.doggybehave.com/basic.php
3. http://www.alldogsgym.com/content/view/42/74/
4. The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book
5. The Home and Family Protection Dog
6. The Everything Dog Obedience Book

Is it any surprise that the girl who wrote this has been in college for 12 years trying to get a degree? Fark, now I have to actually do some work.