Training Methods
Before we begin, lets examine a few facts that are true.
1. There is no Government body that certifies dog trainers, dog groomers or dog breeders in Canada as of October 2009. The Canadian Kennel Club is a registration body, and that is all the CKC recognizes, registering purebred dogs. There are many dog training organizations in Canada, and some of the organizations will " certify " their members or those who pay enrollment fees to take online or practical courses. Many of these so called online courses are 6 to 8 weeks in length. Certainly not enough time to give any good dog trainer the insight and knowledge needed to be able to train effectively and positively. This is why we see so many dog trainers out there who cannot train a dog without using a Choke Collar, a Prong or Pinch Collar or Electric Shock Collar. And yet, many pet owners still attend these so called Professional and Certified Dog Trainers and get dismal results.
2. When searching for a dog trainer, find a trainer who has many years experience, go and view their own dogs, attend a few classes for free to observe and search the organizations they belong to. Also ask the dog trainer for the name of their vet and for client references. Find a dog trainer who competes with their dogs in some sort of recognized dog sport..Agility , Dock Diving, Free Style Dancing, Disc Dogs, Obedience, Tracking, Herding, Schutzhund or Rally Obedience. You ask why? because then you know for sure that their methods work, that what they are going to show you to train your dog is practical. So many dog trainers base what they are teaching you, on books they have read, or TV programs or DVDs without ever using the methods in a practical setting or application.
The best place to find a humane dog trainer that uses positive style dog training, belongs to an International Organization, believes and adheres to a Code of Ethics, is
The International Positive Dog Training Association
Lets look at some terms and their meaning. I have researched many books to achieve this average or means definition of several commonly used terms in dog training.
1. CORRECTION - COMPULSION - CONSEQUENCE
This can be all very confusing as many dog trainers and book authors use these terms as they apply in their life. A correction is simply, letting the dog know that he/ she is not on track or is not achieving the proper sequence or behaviour desired. A CORRECTION can be a verbal correction. No or Aaah, a correction can be removal of the reward, a correction can be physical ie..popping on the leash or pulling on choke collar, shocking with electric collars, a correction can be a stern look or body language. AT HUMANE CANINE TRAINING WE DO BELIEVE IN REWARDS AND CORRECTIONS, OUR METHODS ARE TO SIMPLY USE A STERN DISAPPROVAL VOICE, OR, REMOVAL OF REWARD, OR , OUR BODY LANGUAGE. THIS IS A VERY EASY SYSTEM TO LEARN, IT IS MORE NATURAL FOR THE OWNER AND THE DOG AND IT COST NOTHING. At Humane Canine Training Ltd, we do not allow any of our clients to use any form of correction collars in our class. This means no Choke Collars, No Prong or Pinch Collars, no shocking bark collars, no head haltis, no shock collars, no Martingales. We use only a 6 foot leash and a flat regular collar.
It has been scientifically proven. on animals and humans, that if the puppy is shown pain or fear, this will diminish their ability to learn throughout life. Recently scientific studies have been conducted to prove that spanking a child does diminish the IQ of that child and that the child will show behavioural issues in the future. The same has been proven scientifically for most animals. If you use FEAR or PAIN to train your dog you will end up with a dog that has social behaviour issues or that has a diminished desire to learn more skills throughout its life. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, THE USE OF FEAR AND PAIN DURING DOG TRAINING IS WHY WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE DOGS BITE THEIR OWNERS, OR LEARN TO USE FORCE TO DEAL WITH DAY TO DAY LIFE SITUATIONS. YOU USE FEAR OR PAIN ON YOUR DOG, AND IT WILL LEARN TO USE FEAR OR PAIN ON YOU, ANOTHER DOG, OR ANOTHER PERSON.
COMPULSION? WHAT IS COMPULSION? dictionary definitions..the act of coercion, to force, the act of compelling. power used to over come resistance. Well, we can say in general that teaching and training a puppy or dog to sit is compulsion ( the act of compelling by using food or word to encourage the proper behaviour or act ) Many dog trainers will associate the word compulsion with fear or pain tactics. This can be very true. Our style of training at Humane Canine Training is..No Hands on the Dog. We do not force a dog to sit by placing pressure on the rear of the dog or by pulling up on its collar or leash. We simply motivate the dog to sit through having it watch where the treat is going. If a client wishes to use