E'lise Christensen (board certified veterinary behaviorist) said, "if I could change one thing about New York City, it would be that people would treat a dog on the sidewalk just like anyone else they didn't know. If you were walking down the street with a human family member, for example, only the creepiest strangers would …
Does your dog pull on lead? Has someone said your dog is dominant? Here’s some helpful training tools and advice.
Does your dog pull on lead? Has someone said your dog is dominant? Here's some helpful training tools and advice.
Find your clients a dog trainer in 4 easy steps!
Find your clients a dog trainer in 4 easy steps!
Position Statement on Regulation in Animal Training and Behavior
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) strives to standardize and support the practice of animal training and behavior consulting and maximize the effective use of reinforcers to modify animal behavior.
Scientific research has clearly established that best practices in animal training and behavior require positive reinforcement-based strategies, competent evaluation of effectiveness, and the ability to communicate effectively with both human and animal clients. Further, these strategies must be founded on established principles of learning and assessment.
How to Choose a Trainer
Choosing a dog trainer can be one of the most important decisions that you make in your dog’s life. The techniques that a trainer uses can strongly affect how you interact with your dog for years to come. Therefore, it is very important to choose your trainer wisely. Here are some guidelines for choosing a dog trainer. Remember, training should be a fun experience for both you and your dog.
How to Hire a Dog Trainer
It is advised that dog owners call, interview, and ideally observe a trainer prior to hiring them. If the trainer you are considering using falls into any of these categories, you should pick another trainer. The equipment recommended for basic obedience includes or is focused on choke collars, prong collars, or shock collars. Trainers …
New Literature Review Recommends Reward-Based Training by Zazie Todd, Ph.D.
New Literature Review Recommends Reward-Based Training
A review of 17 papers concludes that reward-based dog training has fewer risks and may even work better than aversive methods.
The review, by Dr. Gal Ziv (The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences) looks at the scientific literature on dog training methods. Seventeen studies were identified that include surveys of dog owners, intervention studies, and reports from veterinarians.
The paper identifies some methodological issues with the literature, but the conclusion is that people should use reward-based methods to train their dogs.
How to Select a Dog Trainer Guide for Veterinarians
Information owners should obtain before choosing a dog trainer
* It is advised that clients call and interview a trainer prior to hiring them.
If the trainer you are considering using falls into any of these categories, you should pick another trainer.
· If the equipment recommended for basic obedience includes or is focused on choke collars, prong collars, or shock collars.
· Trainers who ban head collars of any kind may rely unduly on force.
· If the trainer instructs you to manage your dog’s behaviors by pinching toes, kneeing the dog in the chest or abdomen, hitting the dog, forcibly holding the dog down against their will, constantly yelling at the dog, frequently yanking the collar constantly, or using prong, choke, pinch or shock collars or electronic stimulation.
· If the trainer believes most or all training is about encouraging the person to be “alpha” and teaching the dog to “submit”.
Choosing Your Dog Trainer or Behavior Specialist Guidelines
Choosing Your Dog Trainer or Dog Behavior Specialist Guidelines
It would be rare to have an animal its entire lifetime without experiencing some type of behavior problem or training situation that might be helpful in managing your pet. Also, behavior problems are often complex and may require a more skilled professional with knowledge in animal behavior. So how do you know who to call? What’s the difference between the two? How can you assess their skills, training and education?
IAABC Statement on LIMA
What Is LIMA?
LIMA requires that trainers and behavior consultants use the “least intrusive, minimally aversive technique likely to succeed in achieving a training [or behavior change] objective with minimal risk of producing adverse side effects.” It is also a competence criterion, requiring that trainers and behavior consultants be adequately trained and skilled in order to ensure that the least intrusive and aversive procedure is in fact used. 1
LIMA Is Competence-Based
LIMA requires that trainers/behavior consultants work to increase the use of positive reinforcement and lessen the use of punishment in work with companion animals and the humans who care for them. LIMA protocols are designed to be maximally humane to learners of all species. In order to ensure best practices, consultants/trainers should pursue and maintain competence in animal behavior consulting through education, training, or supervised experience, and should not advise on problems outside the recognized boundaries of their competencies and experience.2
Experiencing Anticipation Training Dogs – Using Time Outs versus Stops
“A common flaw in stimulus-controlled behavior is anticipation: Once the cue has been learned, the subject is so eager to offer the behavior that it acts before the cue has actually been given” (Pryor, 1984, 1999).
I prefer to use the training correction “stops” given the context is connected with actively training dogs versus using timeouts for social corrections. There are inherent differences between the two types of context and use. To avoid confusion and provide consistent feedback between dog and owner/handler, understanding when, why, where, and for what reason should be considered at all times. Dogs learn best when provided clear rules concerning their behavioral responses, doing this avoids anxiety produced when any subject is unsure about any consequences that may result from their behavior. This also explains why using punishment, especially incorrectly, can cause serious learning deficits.
Protected: Why is positive reinforcement a better choice training dogs?
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Who Says You Can’t Train Your Own Service Dog?
Does Professional Training Make the Difference—or Does the Trainer? Boudicca and Me! BettyB Standing Loosely BettyB is a service dog. When Boudicca was diagnosed in renal failure BettyB took her place. Boudicca lived approximately 1.5 years. It was difficult disease to experience for both of us. She had been a constant companion. She didn't start …
Continue reading Who Says You Can’t Train Your Own Service Dog?
Dog Behavior Training Questions (just for fun!)
Question 1You’re walking your Labrador in your neighborhood. You approach someone in their driveway talking with their lawn person. You notice a pitbull type dog standing with the homeowner. The dog barks, it’s a warning bark. You do the following:a. You ignore the dogs territorial warning and proceed walking on the sidewalk directly in front …
Continue reading Dog Behavior Training Questions (just for fun!)
Dogs Over the Years
Boudicca, BettyB & Others Nice collection including Boudicca who learned to behave in public so well. She never reacted to dogs. She started learning who gives directions and controls situations from the start. It wasn't easy. It was a lot of work and time. She was lucky, tho, her head start was with me. I …
Responsible Dog Ownership Is Privilege
Owning dogs comes with responsibilities
Saturday Mornings Are Opportunities to Learn and Have Fun
Saturday Mornings Are Opportunities to Learn and Have Fun! Saturday mornings always offer something to look forward to. There are more people running and walking along the bridge, which also means more challenging situations to navigate. Every outing becomes an opportunity to assess risk, adapt to the environment, and reinforce good habits. Today's Challenge On …
Continue reading Saturday Mornings Are Opportunities to Learn and Have Fun
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! DOG TRAINING 101 BettyB ✔️ working girl AND working dog ✔️ CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! One of the most valuable lessons I learned over 26 years ago was to use the working environment as part of teaching a dog's foundation behaviors. The environment wasn't random—it was a training tool. Where we worked depended on the …