What does management mean with respect to dog training?

Management by definition is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people (and of course animals)

Simply put, without some control, how would you consider housing, schooling, caring for or raising any animal or child without management in place?

Canine management must include physical boundaries like fences and doors. It should include systems and practices that prevent mishaps or undesirable behaviors from being rehearsed. When managing dogs, we must implement the routine use of crates, runs, fencing, gates and closed doorways as part of basic management.

We can expand this management beyond physical boundaries and containments to include equipment such as leashes, collars and harnesses that insure that the dog cannot choose to run off, yank, pull, lunge at or jump on other people and animals.

We would want to "dog proof" our homes as we do with our children. This means getting in the habit of putting away valued items, tempting foods, unsafe dog toys, books, magazines and shoes and perhaps carpeting. It will mean keeping chairs pushed in and counters free of food. We must anticipate and be prepared for certain typical dog behaviors and be proactive. We place dogs behind barriers or inside rooms or fencing when company arrives as well as when doors need to be left open for parties, home construction or when deliveries are taking place. This practice is necessary along with the commitment to teaching your dog how to behave properly under these conditions as well.

We would never leave razor blades on the food tray of a small child and expect them not to explore them with their hands or mouth. We wouldn't set them up to injure themselves and expect to harshly discipline them when they do. We would never leave a 2 yr. old alone outside without supervision, fencing or secured gates. All of these tightly monitored environments will be loosened and adjusted over time, as children learn how to manage themselves through guidance and discipline, as do our dogs.

Dogs, just like children, are all different. Some are naturally more inquisitive, some are bolder and more confident. Others are timid and shy and then there are those who are extremely mischievous and thrive on action! As a soccer coach, a teacher or a parent, you would be wise to utilize tight management "just in case" practices when you are responsible for children. This same attitude and preparation needs to be in place when you live with a dog.

Training can be conducted while management is in place. You would still expect to teach what behaviors you'd like to see your dog choose while controlling his environment so he's NOT rewarded or punished for behaviors which you have no control over. Dogs that have management in place are easier to live with and enjoy. They don't develop horrible behaviors that cause people to dislike them or veer away from them. Understand that behaviors develop and strengthen with repetition and rewards so behaviors that we don't want in our dogs could increase without management.

Dogs are learning (unless they are asleep) using experimentation and their behaviors are driven by the consequence it produces. The whole system to training dogs is for us to control these consequences so that we can then control our dog's behavior. We can't be everywhere, all the time, so using management control makes the most sense.

The practice of using good management is not a substitute for training; it is a vital component of raising a dog. Management is used to prevent undesirable behavior, but you will still need to teach your dog how to behave within that secure environment.

If you simply prevent bad behavior by using management and NEVER teach what behavior you'd like to see instead, then you will have a lot of work ahead of you!

Refer to these LIDD links for additional help with managing your dog.

Canine Containment

Harnesses

Collars

Leashes