There are some well-qualified trainers out there who have taken the time to become educated about dogs and dog behavior, and they have perfected humane, effective training techniques. But, sit with me for just one day, in my office, answering phone calls and reading e-mail from dog owners, and you will wonder if a big portion of the dog world has gone mad, completely mad. Dog professionals who are abusive and inept; dog owners who lack knowledge, and therefore judgment, about the professionals they hire; and dogs — the poor dogs who suffer and eventually may become homeless; or dangerous trainers who shouldn't be trainers.
I have a lot of days that end in total frustration — so much so that my wife and I have to get out of town for a long weekend just to recover. This is one of those weekends. And here is a portion of one of the e-mails that is so disturbing.
Dear Uncle Matty: We hired a trainer when she (German shepherd) was 11 weeks old, and he, in my opinion, was abusive. He told me to hit her and show her I was boss and that if I didn't, I would regret it later. We went through a few sessions that I hated. He called it "bipping her" under her chin or smacking her on the side to get attention. I saw her fearing him and he said that's the way it should be because of her "aggressive" breed.
We went through about a month or so of training and then I stopped. She is very playful, and she will not listen to me at all. I cannot handle her at almost 100 pounds. She won't respond unless I give in and use his methods. I feel horrible. I don't want her to fear me, but I do want her to listen. I've tried everything. She spends most of her time in her "home" (cage) because she is too wild and big. — L.B., East Meadow, N.Y.
Dear L.B.: In the first place, there is no such thing as an aggressive breed. There are nonagressive and aggressive dogs in every breed, and a qualified trainer knows how to temperament test and read the responses. This enables training based on the dog's personality, not his breed. It's the only way to communicate with canines.
Most important, there is never any reason to hit a dog, any dog. Training by intimidation and abuse is not training. It is creating an atmosphere of fear, pure and simple. Think about this. If you use your hand to hit and "bip," the hand becomes a weapon to the dog instead of a wonderful, loving petting tool. You also use your hand to take dangerous objects from your dog's mouth, to care for a wound or sore, to brush your dog. If he is afraid of your hand, there are constant problems. Hitting is actually teaching aggressive behavior in a puppy who is simply being a playful, untrained pooch. I'm not suggesting by any means that there are not aggressive dog temperaments and if a puppy shows signs of any type of aggression, then it is important to work with a trainer who is capable of modifying this behavior, not exacerbating it.
A good trainer has perfected techniques that communicate with the dog. He or she commands respect from the dog because the trainer knows how to communicate with the dog through proper use of a leash and training collar. The trainer is nonabusive, and when the dog responds properly, praise and affection become the reinforcement. Dogs love praise and affection and respond positively to that more than anything.
It's going to take some reconditioning and patience to properly train this dog, but she has a chance and it's worth a try. The important thing is to check out a trainer before you hire them. Ask about their methods and their beliefs about dogs. Get references, and visit the dogs they have trained. Watch them work with other dogs. And educate yourself about dogs and dog behavior. Watch good videos and read good books. And after you hire a trainer, if they are abusive, stop the training. Your dog's good behavior is worth it. Good luck and WOOF! —Uncle Matty
Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Send your questions to dearuncle.gazetteunclematty.com or mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619. © Creators Syndicate Inc.