What’s the latest on dog training? Having never owned (but always wanted) a dog, I moved in with a roommate who has a 1.5 year old rescued mutt. She (the dog) is generally a sweetheart, but has a few annoying behaviors that I’d like to teach her to stop, such as:
[ul]
[li]Pulling every which way on a leash, stopping to sniff every pile of leaves on every walk[/li][li]Begging, whining, and eventually growling if we don’t play chewtoy tug-of-war with her[/li][li]Not responding to verbal commands when out in unleashed areas, sometimes chasing and scaring other dogs/babies[/li][li]Chewing up random toys, shoes, socks, and bedding if we leave her alone for too long[/li][/ul]
But in the last few years, I’ve seen a few random headlines that say things like “alpha theory in dogs debunked” and I’m not sure what the latest advice on dog training is. Having zero experience in the area, I don’t know how to judge the quality of all the different dog advice out there. Is this a fast-changing field that evolves based on continuing research? Or do we have man’s best friend more or less figured out already?
Any books, video series, etc. you find helpful (or your own advice here!) would be welcome. Thank you!
Check out the works of Dr. Ian Dunbar. He is often credited with developing and promoting modern positive-reinforcement training methods for dogs. A good amount of his work focuses on puppies and puppy training, but he does have some books centered around dogs in general.
It’s not so much that “alpha theory in dogs debunked” as it is that dog hierarchies and social structures are more complex than “I’m in charge, and you will do what I say because I’m the boss.” Dogs have natural needs and wants, and they try to fulfill those needs and wants in whatever way works. So a key to training a dog is to teach the dog that the most effective way to get what he wants is to obey the handler, e.g.
“If you walk nicely, you may sniff some piles of leaves. Not every single pile, but a number of them. If you don’t walk nicely, you don’t get to sniff anything.”
“If you bring the toy and sit quietly, I’ll play with you. If you whine, beg, and growl, we will not play at all.”
“If you want to check out something while unleashed, come to me and wait for permission. I’ll then let you go check it out if I approve. If I don’t approve, you may not go check it out. If you don’t agree to all of this, then you don’t get to be unleashed at all.”
You teach the dog that the most effective way to get what he wants is to ask you for it. If he behaves correctly, he gets what he wants a decent percentage of the time. When he doesn’t behave correctly, he never gets what he wants. So he keeps behaving correctly.
Regarding the chewing, dogs chew. Get him some chew toys. Dogs chew especially when they’re bored. Consider vigorous exercise for the dog before you leave for an extended period of time, so the dog takes a nap instead of chewing up your stuff.
Patricia McConnell. Start there and then move on to other training books. McConnell is a dog behaviorist but her books are easy to read and extremely educational. Understanding your dog’s behavior and the way he thinks will really allow you to bond with him and train him MUCH more easily. Here are the two best titles: The Other End of the Leash and For the Love of a Dog.
Also, my biggest beef with alpha theory is the idea that you have to dominate (i.e. bully) the dog in order to be his leader. That’s just wrong. Pack leader is the one who takes care of and protects the pack. You provide for him, ensure his safety, love him and discipline him gently when he needs it. If your dog learns to trust and respect you and that he can depend on you to be there for him, you are his leader. Simple as that.
Just my opinion (and the opinion of many others I’ve talked to): Avoid treat training. Rewards should be praise, or an object. If you train with treats, you have to have treats on you 24/7, and so does everyone else you expect your dog to listen to. Training without treats absolutely works, and is more effective long-term.
Also remember to be patient! I am going through my second round of dog training with my new dogs, after having done it 12 years ago with my prior dog, and I forgot how much work it is and how patient I have to be. Yikes! But they WILL and DO learn!
Not true about the treats, this is just a breakdown in training methodology. You should use whatever best motivates the dog. Some prefer toys, others prefer treats, some dogs will work simply for affection and praise. But if you do use treats, after the dog correctly performs the behavior on command reliably, you just give him he treat reward intermittently. For example, have him sit twice before treating him. Then three times. It’s a powerful tool that when the reward becomes intermittent and unpredictable, the dog will perform well because he doesn’t know if THIS is the time he’ll get the cookie.