T R A I N I N G
Modern Dog Training! and why care?
WRITTEN BY: C.C. BOURGEOIS, C P DT- K A , C SAT, P M C T, Wonder Dog University
Training methods have evolved in the last decades. Continuing to use training techniques simply because it’s what you’ve always known may have its downsides, so let’s refresh our perspectives. Behavioral scientists and trainers current on behavioral data have moved to Modern Training methods. Modern Training uses methods that are founded on evidence-based, science backed research. Dogs’ natural behaviors are reward driven; in other words, animals repeat rewarded behavior. What is not rewarded stops occurring. Use of rewards - food, praise, play, access to things a dog wants - keeps the good behavior coming and teaches a dog clear outcomes in response to their behavior. Modern Training guides a dog toward our preferred behaviors. Negative behaviors are decreased or eliminated by teaching the dog an alternative behavior or providing calm consequences that are not as rewarding to the dog, so they stop behaving that way. It’s proven to work, plain and simple.
WE KNOW MORE NOW ABOUT DOG TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR. Misconceptions about dog behavior and training are abundant. Unfortunately, outdated methods are greatly popularized and perpetuated, both in the media by those with little education in the field, but also mega-marketing machines and the slick video production behind them. Breakthroughs and discoveries made decades ago that clearly disprove common, old fashioned concepts have been dimmed by the glare of this spotlight. Fortunately, there’s plenty of science available to guide us to “Modern Training.” Boundless evidence exists that shows training a dog in a way that aligns with true learning and doesn’t talk down to their brilliance is far more beneficial. Did you know that dogs learn the same way that children do, by association? Their intelligence also develops to that of about a two year old. See: Smarter Than You Think. So, harnessing a dog’s full potential is neglected when using training tactics that aren’t founded on science and don’t speak to a dog’s brain and ability. Let’s reframe this idea. Large animal handlers, using Modern Training, teach lions to cooperate when having their nails trimmed. They could use forceful techniques on these powerful animals, but this would only make future interactions difficult and dangerous. Sedating them is time and cost prohibitive. Instead, they take a little time to show the lion that allowing handling of this delicate area can be rewarding, so the lion gladly cooperates. We can do the same for our dogs, encouraging them to think for themselves and make good choices. To demonstrate the need to be open to Modern Training, allow me to myth bust a concept that’s been perpetuated. Take the “alpha roll,” a term used to describe physically rolling a dog onto their back in an effort to teach them the human is alpha, dominant, etc. This has its roots in wolf observations and was debunked ages ago. We now understand that, in nature, a wolf pack’s alpha is determined by birth order and offspring
