1. Would you say that dog training is inherently political?
If you mean "political" in the literal sense, no. If you mean something like political parties; the donkey and the elephant, yes.
2. If yes, then why?
There are in a very basic sense, two schools of thought on dog training; the punishers and the non-punisher types. And these bring up controversy between the "parties." There are people who know behavior and those who make it up as they see fit with no real knowledge of how dogs operate.
3. Can you categorize the range of different approaches to dog
training? (Why is this range important?....as you were saying, all
dogs are different). And then tell me which way you lean and why?
Yes. The range is important because dogs are being mistreated and misunderstood in the name of training all over the world. All dogs are individuals so they are different. But they are not that different. They're still of the same species and all are obedient to the laws of behavior. I lean toward controlling the dog's resources, adding things they like in response to behavior I like and removing or preventing access to the things they like for behavior I do not like. I don't believe in causing a dog pain, fear or intimidation in any way because they don't understand our morals or values. People label dogs as stubborn or naughty, then punish. It is only from human perception, not dogs'. And more importantly, I don't need to because there are loads of tricks in the bag to get behavior I want while causing no avoidance due to pain or fear, little wear and tear or shut-down to the dog.
4. When I was growing up, life was simple. You got a dog...maybe you
took one obedience class...and then the dog became part of your
family. How has this changed, in your opinion?
It has changed a lot because Mom and Dad work much of the time, kids are in organized sports and other extra curricular programs more than ever I think. So, the dog is left alone a good deal of the time, missing out on important socialization, interaction with the family, mental and physical stimulation. Dogs need plenty of closeness, a group feeling and attention from their family.
5. Do you think that a dog's life has changed for the better given
today's hyper awareness regarding dog issues? (Now that their kids are
in school, helicopter moms are turning their sights on how to raise
the perfect family dog.)
In some ways it is probable that life for a dog has changed for the better. But in other ways, no. I don't know that there is hyper-awareness regarding dog issues other than the recent banning of breeds, some TV trainers exposing the need for dogs to be trained, albeit in one case, it would be likely preferable if people floundered around on their own. But some awareness has probably come about for the need of dogs to get more exercise and some kind of structure. That is good provided no mistreatment of dogs increases due to certain publicity of certain methods touted as being in the dogs' best interest, when in fact, the methods can be very dangerous and harmful according to most experts.
6. If there was ever a misunderstanding about dogs out there, today,
what would that be? How would you correct it?
It is astounding to me that the old, disproved dominance, show 'em whose boss and old pack theory model is still flourishing with all the science and evidence out there which points to the contrary. The idea that dogs need to be dominated or they'll take over the "pack" has got to be put to rest once and for all. It is the cause of so many dogs' abuse. It is in large part why there are population explosions in shelters across the globe. The misunderstanding and over-anthropomorphizing of dogs by humans is astronomical. If more behaviorists and scientists in the know don't get more public exposure on TV, domestic dogs don't stand a chance for a better life. Behavior problems are the number one cause of dogs being abandoned in shelters or on the street and the biggest cause of abuse and neglect.
7. Finally, what do you think a dog needs in order to live a full
happy life? Compare this then, with how most dogs fair?
Involvement from his owners, kind, affectionate and fair treatment in accordance to how dogs think and learn. Dogs need owners somewhat knowledgeable of some positive, gentle training methods based on operant/classical conditioning, consistency and patience. Dogs need more exercise and exposure to novel things, more mental stimulation. Dogs need far more socialization as young puppies and onward. It is true that decades ago when the population was smaller, fewer cars, people let their dogs wander more. Dogs naturally got better socialization this way. Of course, in our society now, that is irresponsible to let dogs wander. So extra pro-active effort needs to go into dogs' welfare. Mind you, not that dogs need constant attention. That is not even good for them, but more involvement than I think many get.
8. Why do we care so much about our furry friends? (Something
philosophical here?)
It is thought that we had a convergent evolution with dogs. We evolved right along side these animals that probably domesticated themselves as in a fabric's weave with us. Many of the things we and dogs do evolved on account of the other species. We influence each other greatly. And of course, that thing in the limbic system, I think they call "attachment." There is a phenomenal attachment that dogs and humans share together.
In a strange sort of way, I think we also care so much about our furry friends because they reflect back to us what we would like to see in ourselves, but don't.
9. To back up a little, can you give me some examples of the
approaches that dog owners/trainers take that drive you crazy? (Are
you a proponent of shock collars? Not? Pointy pronged collars? Not? Do
you see people over-treat train? Are dogs getting fat? Are some dog
trainers too rough?What have you witnessed in this respect? Some would
say more extreme dog trainers are actually abusive...thoughts?)
People who use shock collars or other forms of pain or avoidance often use the excuse that they only use these things when the dog already knows and has demonstrated the correct response to a cue. What they don't understand is it isn't relevant that they did it right before and aren't now. It means the dog needs more training and needs to be given a reason to comply more reliably. The dog is not being "naughty" or "stubborn" because dogs do what works for them and that's the end of it. This is what is known at this time at any rate. Harsh punishment can cause untold detrimental side effects which people don't for see. If people would learn a little about dog behavior, learn some of the alternatives which preclude punishment, they would understand better why harsh punishment is not necessary or valuable in dog training.
Over treat training is a risk for over weight dogs. Therefore, compensations need to be made. If people learn and use a systematic reinforcement schedule, they only need to use a high rate of frequency in treat dispensing in the beginning of learning a new behavior. Part of the dog's meal ration can be used if that is an ample reinforcer for certain tasks. Low fat treats, even veggie type treats can be used if the dog likes them. Treats can and should be very small tid bits. In addition, finding other kinds of motivators or rewards is not only prudent to add interest for the dog, but also will assist in selecting varying values in the rewards to coincide with the degree of difficulty of a task. Sometimes a toy is preferable for some skills and being aware of life rewards, those ready-at-hand things dogs want at different times and contexts are valuable reinforcers.
Yes, many trainers are rough and unfair to dogs...do not prepare them or set them up for success. For their inability to teach, the dogs get punished and yes, oftentimes abused. A dog who is managed and taught correctly will never make you feel a need to correct sternly.
10. Imagine now that you have an audience. Someone's just brought
their new puppy home. They don't know where to begin with respect to
training. What questions should they be asking??? I expect that with
you, Colleen, in particular, people need to ask themselves just what
kind of relationship they want with their dog?
Wishfully, people should find out just enough before they get a puppy to even know what questions to ask. Number one on my list of things to do is socialization, a big, huge responsibility of a puppy owner and there isn't much time to waste. Asking how to best go about it is prudent.
How to go about introductory, fun lessons with things like (sit, come, walk with me, watch me, leave it).... how to make it pleasant for the pup so he'll engage with them more, how important prevention of unwanted behaviors is....to ward off the onset of problems rather than wait for them to blossom. They hopefully are conscientious enough to realize the importance of explicit trust the puppy has in his family, how to maintain and build that trust while teaching the puppy, what behaviors are workable and which aren't. It would be optimum if more people understood a little something about how dogs probably perceive things, how they learn, why they do the things they do, that they're not naughty, but absolutely normal and how to get the behavior we like without shutting them down, (very common) which in itself is not conducive to learning.
