modifying behavior

Frequently, when I am consulted about a dog, there is a problem behavior that their human is trying to understand or change. In addition to communicating with the dog and discussing the results with their person, I will sometimes suggest things that the person can do to help the dog change her/his behavior in a way that is more acceptable for their human family. When it is appropriate, I may also communicate to the dog what the correct or desirable behavior is, and why they need to change.

I have lived with dogs all my life, and have both trained dogs and taught beginning obedience classes for a professional trainer. I have shown in AKC obedience and conformation shows, as well as many fun matches. For many years, I trained my own dogs in the way I had been taught - the "I am alpha and you must do what I ask you to or I will correct you with leash and collar". Granted, I always "asked" for a behavior, and I always made sure that what I was asking the dog to do was something she/he already knew how to do. There were pats and treats and games when all went well. When it didn't, there was scolding and leash/collar correction. A couple of years ago, I was challenged to learn a new way of thinking about working with dogs by the handsome guy pictured below.

This is Beauregard. He has challenged me to look again at how I work with and train dogs, to completely re-think the old way, and to begin to learn a new, more positive way of working with dogs. This new way is very much founded on mutual respect, on positive training methods, and on the knowledge that training must be tailored to each individual. What works with Beau won't necessarily work with our other Basset Maggie. The other thing that I have learned is that it requires much more patience and time to train this way. However, the dog is thinking and making choices to do what I ask, as opposed to being forced to do it "or else". I like this much better, and so do the dogs!

I am not a professional trainer, nor do I feel competent to advise people on retraining biting or otherwise aggressive dogs. For those clients, I communicate with the dog about why they are biting, and explain that biting and aggression towards humans and other animals is wrong. I then refer the client to a professional trainer or animal behaviourist. Sometimes I do run across situations with clients that I have encountered before, either with my dogs, or dogs I have worked with over the years. I will share some suggestions and experiences with the client in an effort to help them help retrain a behavior. My personal belief is that all dogs need training in basic obedience for two reasons: to establish and strengthen a mutually respectful working relationship between human and dog, and to provide a consistent structure - set of ground rules if you will - for the dog that he/she clearly understands. This gives the dog a sense of safety and security, and allows them to stay in their wonderful forever home.