Obedience Dog Training for Dogs Obedience Dog Training for Dogs - Should We Use the Word 'Obedience' in Dog Training? More often than not, when people enquire about our dog training business, they mention the word ‘obedience’ classes or training for dogs. Whilst I totally understand where they are coming from, most often than not, because that is all they have heard, it is a word that I would love not to be used in this context. Why? Well simply because the word ‘obedience’ implies some sort of dictatorship. If you look at definition in a psychological context it states: “Obedience is compliance with commands given by an authority figure.” You will do this or else. Why would any human parents like or want to have this kind of relationship with their dogs? This is not what modern, force-free, science-based training is
all about. Far from it, in fact. The idea that my dogs obey me, makes me feel rather uncomfortable. However, if you build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, then this will open a wonderful world for you and your dog. Dogs Need Structure and Boundaries, but Do Not be Harsh When you use words like ‘obedience’ or ‘commands’ in the dog training world, this implies that you are making the dog do something whether they want to or not, because otherwise, the consequences to the animal will have a negative impact. ‘Sit’ or else! The dog fears you and complies worried about the consequences of not doing it or goes into meltdown. And this is loving a dog in your view? The amount of people who are harsh in the training of their dogs scares me. It is very often due to lack of knowledge and because that is all they know in bad, old fashion trainers. Yanking on their
lead, shouting, pushing them down. Why this need of power over an innocent animal? When you train your dogs, using force-free, reward based methods, your dog sees you as this amazing person to have fun with. In my classes, I will always use words like ‘teaching manners’ to your, which is, just like in the human world, give them guidance to be a wellbehaved companion. Dogs need structure and boundaries of course, but that doesn’t mean to say that in order to teach them, you have to be harsh. I also never use the word ‘command’, I use ‘cue’, for the same reason as I mentioned before with the word ‘obedience’. I always ask my dogs to do something for me, I don’t command them to do so. I really do hope that you can see the difference. It amazes me that to this day, when so many trainers, behaviourists and scientists are proving that these harsh methods are unkind and detrimental, so many people still think it is acceptable to treat they pets in that manner. This is why I am so passionate about educating people about modern training methods.
Do Your Research We have pets to love them and show them the way in a kind and fair manner. When you come to our training classes, this is what you will find and where clicker training comes in. You will see for yourself that by using these methods you will have a very happy dog, wanting to participate and engage in the training. So please, don’t settle on what you or somebody else tells you is right or wrong. Do your research and make sure that the professional you hire, is qualified and only uses reward based, forcefree methods. If not, walk away. After all, you want what is best for your dog, don’t you?