Training Tips

This is a question that has often been asked of me. I will try to simplify things a bit and give you a perspective on this interesting subject.

When deciding if you should seek help from a dog trainer or a dog behaviorist think about the following...

First of all, observe the specific behavior and ask yourself:

Is this a behavior that appears somewhat NORMAL for a dog and is this a behavior that I can manage and live with?

or

Is this a behavior that appears to be somewhat ABNORMAL for a dog and a behavior that I cannot manage and live with?

For instance, here are examples of NORMAL dog behaviors, which can be addressed by a trainer.

• Jumping up on people and furniture
• Barking
• Digging holes in the yard
• Jumping on the counter
• Pulling on leash while walking
• Chewing inappropriate objects or furnishings
• Not coming when called
• Will not lie down and stay
• Urinates and defecates in the home

A trainer is skilled to help with all of the above and also helps you establish a communication system between you and your dog. This is a combination of body language, hand signals, voice commands and routines. A trainer can help setup your family as a pack with leadership established with confidence so that your dog comfortably lives with your family. Realize that a dog that jumps, chews and barks is simply being a dog; doing the things he would do to survive in the wild. Understand that although considered a NORMAL behavior in dogs, these same behaviors are considered UNDESIRABLE behaviors while in our human world.

Whereas here are examples of ABNORMAL behavior in dogs (note the word Excessive)

• Excessive Barking
• Excessive body chewing when there is no medical reason
• Excessive spinning and chasing its tail
• Excessive barking at shadows and lights
• Excessive fear, anxiety or phobia around particular objects, people, places or other dogs
• Aggression towards people or dogs where safety is an issue (CHECK THYROID FIRST!)
• Basically you will want to consider a behaviorist when the behavior is excessive, obsessive or threatening.

Choosing a Trainer or Behaviorist requires some research. There can be a great difference in approach, education and experience and certainly personality plays a role here as well. You must enjoy the experience and get the desired results.

A qualified trainer may have a degree in behavioral science, biology and / or be certified by organizations and schools that offer education in the way internships, mentor programs and follow-up testing. Then again, there are many excellent trainers who have not acquired certifications. Very often, people find theÊbest trainersÊthrough word of mouth by those who have had personal experience working withÊthat individual.

A qualified behaviorist is an academically trained specialist (usually he or she has completed graduate work in psychology including learning processes, comparative psychology psycho-neurology, psycho-biology, zoology or the equivalent) and has additional education and experience specifically in dog training and canine behavior. They should possess a masters degree or higher or should at least be enrolled in such a program. Again, there are excellent behaviorists who have no degrees but have spent years developing their skills by attending numerous lectures and relying on their own personal experience with dogs.