The Science of Canine Behavior
Why won't my dog just behave?
Chances are, you've looked at a few websites about dog training at
this point. In your search for help with your dog you are going to
notice that there are as many different ideas about dog training
available as there are trainers. This leads to a number of prevailing
misconceptions about training dogs, and more specifically, how to deal
with their behavior problems. One of the biggest fallacies that many
dog trainers will try to sell to you is that their obedience class will help
you fix your dog's excessive barking, digging, aggression, shyness, or
other bothersome behavioral issues. This is absolutely incorrect.
Why? Read on-
There is a very distinct difference between obedience training
and behavior modification. If you've had a dog and taken an
obedience class before, you can likely attest that learning sit, down,
and stay did little to help with problems like jumping, bolting, or
aggression. Many times dog owners get frustrated with these classes
and quit or feel as though their dog is dumb or slow when their
behavior issues are not resolved. The reality is that these classes can
be very productive, but behavioral issues MUST be resolved first to
clear the way for this type of learning. You wouldn't put an emotionally
disturbed child into a classroom setting as he would have trouble
adapting and paying attention, and would likely cause a disturbance
for the other children- the same is true for unbalanced dogs.
So, simply put, obedience is the practice of teaching a dog to
perform a behavior on command, which does not come
naturally to dogs. In the absence of humans, dogs don't give each
other commands. Fortunately for us, dogs take particularly well to this
curriculum, which is why we so enjoy their company and have spent so
many thousands of years domesticating and selectively breeding them
to suit our needs. While it doesn't solve behavioral issues, obedience
is an important part of responsible dog ownership and makes caring
for our furry friends much easier. Also, statistics show that well trained
dogs are more likely to stay in one home instead of being bounced
around to family after family.
So what's the big difference between this and 'behavior'?
Behavior modification involves using the dog's natural behavioral
tendencies to shape his behavior in a desirable fashion. As mentioned
earlier, dogs don't give each other commands, so behavior methods
shouldn't rely on teaching commands to solve a problem- they should
just plain solve the problem. For example, if your dog jumps on you
and you're using a command like 'no jump', or 'off', you're alluding to
the idea that you expect that behavior to continue and therefore need
to attach a command to it. It's much faster and more understandable
for your dog if you just STOP the jumping. Using body language cues
and corrections you can completely eliminate this type of behavior.
This is where it's important to understand that 'all positive
reinforcement' type training programs that rely on treats and
praise only will not work. They may work well for some trainers
when teaching obedience, but not for behavior. Dogs do not reward
each other for behaving appropriately in their pack, it's just
categorically expected. A mother dog does not toss her pups a treat
and tell them they are 'good boys and girls!' for learning not to leave
the den, she shows them what she wants and corrects them for
disobeying, as to do so could mean their lives would be put in jeopardy.
This does NOT mean that your dog should ever be 'punished'-
punishment doesn't belong in dog training as it happens after
the fact and will do absolutely nothing to educate your dog.
What it does mean is that you, as the owner of your dog, have a
responsibility to guide him in the right direction, and have the patience
to understand that he does not speak English and needs you to
SHOW him what you are asking of him. Dogs do not develop behavior
problems out of spite or to annoy, but as a response to lacking clear
leadership in their lives. A dog that is never asked to think and use the
amazing intelligence that he possesses has no choice but to react
instinctively, at times producing disastrous consequences. One
website estimates that the San Antonio area sees about 50,000 dogs a
year with a 95% euthanasia rate. Odds are that a large number of
those dogs were surrendered as a result of behavioral issues that
overwhelmed their owners.
As an owner you are responsible for educating yourself on how to
communicate with your dog. Modifying behavior is very
straight-forward, and many behaviors can be resolved in as little as
one session. I can promise you'll see results right away, as the
method I can teach you comes so naturally to the dog that he just
'gets' what we're saying. There's no bribing, punishment, or harsh
correction needed. If you'd like to find out about my programs and
pricing, please explore my page, and contact me with any questions
you may have.
this point. In your search for help with your dog you are going to
notice that there are as many different ideas about dog training
available as there are trainers. This leads to a number of prevailing
misconceptions about training dogs, and more specifically, how to deal
with their behavior problems. One of the biggest fallacies that many
dog trainers will try to sell to you is that their obedience class will help
you fix your dog's excessive barking, digging, aggression, shyness, or
other bothersome behavioral issues. This is absolutely incorrect.
Why? Read on-
There is a very distinct difference between obedience training
and behavior modification. If you've had a dog and taken an
obedience class before, you can likely attest that learning sit, down,
and stay did little to help with problems like jumping, bolting, or
aggression. Many times dog owners get frustrated with these classes
and quit or feel as though their dog is dumb or slow when their
behavior issues are not resolved. The reality is that these classes can
be very productive, but behavioral issues MUST be resolved first to
clear the way for this type of learning. You wouldn't put an emotionally
disturbed child into a classroom setting as he would have trouble
adapting and paying attention, and would likely cause a disturbance
for the other children- the same is true for unbalanced dogs.
So, simply put, obedience is the practice of teaching a dog to
perform a behavior on command, which does not come
naturally to dogs. In the absence of humans, dogs don't give each
other commands. Fortunately for us, dogs take particularly well to this
curriculum, which is why we so enjoy their company and have spent so
many thousands of years domesticating and selectively breeding them
to suit our needs. While it doesn't solve behavioral issues, obedience
is an important part of responsible dog ownership and makes caring
for our furry friends much easier. Also, statistics show that well trained
dogs are more likely to stay in one home instead of being bounced
around to family after family.
So what's the big difference between this and 'behavior'?
Behavior modification involves using the dog's natural behavioral
tendencies to shape his behavior in a desirable fashion. As mentioned
earlier, dogs don't give each other commands, so behavior methods
shouldn't rely on teaching commands to solve a problem- they should
just plain solve the problem. For example, if your dog jumps on you
and you're using a command like 'no jump', or 'off', you're alluding to
the idea that you expect that behavior to continue and therefore need
to attach a command to it. It's much faster and more understandable
for your dog if you just STOP the jumping. Using body language cues
and corrections you can completely eliminate this type of behavior.
This is where it's important to understand that 'all positive
reinforcement' type training programs that rely on treats and
praise only will not work. They may work well for some trainers
when teaching obedience, but not for behavior. Dogs do not reward
each other for behaving appropriately in their pack, it's just
categorically expected. A mother dog does not toss her pups a treat
and tell them they are 'good boys and girls!' for learning not to leave
the den, she shows them what she wants and corrects them for
disobeying, as to do so could mean their lives would be put in jeopardy.
This does NOT mean that your dog should ever be 'punished'-
punishment doesn't belong in dog training as it happens after
the fact and will do absolutely nothing to educate your dog.
What it does mean is that you, as the owner of your dog, have a
responsibility to guide him in the right direction, and have the patience
to understand that he does not speak English and needs you to
SHOW him what you are asking of him. Dogs do not develop behavior
problems out of spite or to annoy, but as a response to lacking clear
leadership in their lives. A dog that is never asked to think and use the
amazing intelligence that he possesses has no choice but to react
instinctively, at times producing disastrous consequences. One
website estimates that the San Antonio area sees about 50,000 dogs a
year with a 95% euthanasia rate. Odds are that a large number of
those dogs were surrendered as a result of behavioral issues that
overwhelmed their owners.
As an owner you are responsible for educating yourself on how to
communicate with your dog. Modifying behavior is very
straight-forward, and many behaviors can be resolved in as little as
one session. I can promise you'll see results right away, as the
method I can teach you comes so naturally to the dog that he just
'gets' what we're saying. There's no bribing, punishment, or harsh
correction needed. If you'd like to find out about my programs and
pricing, please explore my page, and contact me with any questions
you may have.
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