Obedience Training:

i.e., Heel on Lead, Sit, Down, Stand, Sit Stay, Down Stay and Recall, works for many dogs to help them to understand what is expected of them. Yet, many dogs whilst able to heel perfectly well on a lead and sit whilst you talk to a friend, are often acting out behavioural issues at home.These problems are rarely if ever addressed in the obedience training hall.

A good obedience instructor should be able to help you with some of the more common "dog problems" such as housebreaking, nipping and mouthing but it is a sad fact that many obedience instructors haven't the experience or training to address more serious problematic issues. These problems may include agoraphobia, separation anxiety, personality disorders, stealing, resource guarding, depression, dominance, nervousness and aggression etc. If you are having "behavioural" issues with your dog, you need to address these BEFORE you attempt organised obedience training.

It was my intention to start an organisation that combines the skills of the "Obedience Trainer" with the scientific and behavioural techniques of the "Behavioural Counselor" I fervently believe that you need both skills to successfully treat our dogs. At present there are organisations such as the APDT which are primarily the scout hall type of trainer. And then you have the APBC that is the behaviourists, effectively never the twain shall meet. They tend to be distrustful and disdainful of each other.

To my mind that is an absolute nonsense. Many behavioural issues can be helped through basic obedience training and many training issues can be overcome by behavioural techniques. To separate these two skills is counter productive, hence my vision for a united organisation called PAACT. The Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers. Since writing this PAACT has been launched and is proving to be even more successful than I ever I imagined now well in excess of seventy members and is growing by the day. To find a PAACT trainer/behaviourist in your area who is training and studying both disciplines go to www.paact.co.uk

I am also finding that some of the behaviourists, I have follow in after whose clients are desperately disappointed that they did not even touch their dogs never mind come up with a viable and workable program to help solve the dogs and the owners problems.

These so called Behavioural Counselors are coming out of University with a shiny new degree, in most cases none of the work is practical, it is mainly academic. That is like learning to drive a car by reading a book. Some do not even know which end of a dog to feed. many have never even owned or even handled dogs. You will find you will get a nice 30 page report on the behavioural aspect of your dog, but what about the hands on practical help and advice that you REALLY need.

Some of these so called academics, claim Doctorates and use the term Dr at every opportunity. However many of these PhD's are not related in any way to dogs. Take for example Dr Roger Mugford. who's doctorate is apparently in "Philosophy" How many dogs do you know that understand a Philosophical discussion? and furthermore what has it got to do with dogs behaviour?

I have an Honorary Doctorate in Metaphysics but would never use it, though fully entitled to do so, I believe it would lead my clients to wrongly assume that the Doctorate was to do with animal behaviour and specifically dogs which of course it does not.

Behaviour Modification

also known as: operant conditioning, or reinforcement training. Modern reinforcement training is based on behavioural science. Reinforcers may be of a POSITIVE nature, something you might like and want more of, or NEGATIVE, something to be avoided. Knowing which is appropriate and WHEN to give it is the key to modifying behavioural traits! Many of the behaviour problems seen today are as much a result of the "drive level" of the dog, as they are the misapplied corrections that we humans quite often give our pets.

Lack of controlled early socialisation plays a key role in many behavioural problems we see in our adult dogs. Too little or no socialisation is the root cause of many of the fear and aggressive behaviour's prevalent today. Too much socialisation, also known as flooding can also cause behavioural difficulties with rude over boisterous bullies that plague our parks ands streets.

"Anthropomorphism" attributing human characteristics and traits to animals can be another contributing factor and is often the main reason why owners find it difficult to communicate effectively with their dog.

What is anthropomorphism? The textbook definition of anthropomorphism is: to assign human emotion or thought patterns to animals or objects which are incapable of achieving such dimensions. This would be like explaining that a vine climbs up the tree to get a better view of the garden.

Why do we engage in such behaviour? Humans are better able to relate to something when they see themselves in it. Using the plant example, this is an example of projection. Projection is a psychological phenomenon in which one projects their feelings upon others, animals, or objects. This is useful in everyday life for it takes the guess work out of reality. Instead of constantly contemplating why something is as it is, you simply put it into context with your everyday life. Dogs unfortunately are not Human or Primate they are Canid and think and see the world and our human morals very differently to ourselves. To read more about this see my article on Understanding Dogs Abilities.

It is vitally important that you also understand the critical learning periods and these can be be seen on my website, read Critical Periods part one and two. To really understand your dogs language and how it communicates read my articles on Communication part one and two. And finally if you get it all right you will live in harmony with a pet that is a pleasure to live with rather than the unruly thugs we see on a day to day basis who are an unmitigated nightmare to own and handle.

This article was written by Stan Rawlinson, a full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer.
You can visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information. You may freely distribute this article or save to any electronic media as long as it is left intact, including this copyright box.
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