Quick Fixes

As Americans we want our food in an instant, and we get impatient if there are a few people in front of us in line at the grocery store.  In general, we really hate to wait!  One of the biggest challenges trainers face is convincing dog owners that dogs don’t always learn as quickly as they’d like.   Some in their impatience want to resort to inhumane treatments at such times.

I know of some people who have experienced very traumatic experiences, from the death of a child, to molestation, or abuse from a parent.  Can you imagine if they went to a counselor just after it happened, and the counselor said, “You’ll be completely healed and never have a negative feeling about the experience after this one session!”  Not only would that be foolish, but also it’s terribly misleading.   Likewise it’s foolish if trainers and owners think that a dog can rehabilitate or learn a new way of thinking in a short amount of time.  Just like people, every dog is different.  They learn at different speeds and don’t always respond to treatment quickly… or as quick as we’d like.

Many pet owners have expectations that are far higher than any dog can reach.  This has led some to resort to punishment.  They want a quick fix, so they purchase a shock collar, prong collar, or decide to use strong leash corrections.  What many don’t realize is taking the route of punishment can lead to very negative side effects!  In many cases it severely damages the relationship the owner has with their dog, causes more fear and stress, and contributes to a negative relationship with anyone and anything associated with the punishment.  In the end you may have suppressed the behavior you want to go away, but you may have done more damage than good.

For example, many people complain that their dog is barking in the backyard all the time.  They go out and purchase a shock collar.  More often than not I find their dog is telling them this: “I’m bored!”  Did they really treat the problem? The right thing to do would be to get to the root of the problem.  Your dog has needs, and it’s up to you to meet them!  Often in these cases exercise, safe chews, and more human interaction is part of the preferred treatment plan!

Recently I went to a movie with my family and we were all appalled by what we observed in the row ahead of us.   The parents had decided to take their little baby to see a movie full of scary action scenes.  The baby was clearly upset, and instead of taking the child out of the theatre, the Mom held her baby up and faced him toward the screen… as if that would make him stop crying!  I’m certain the child was scared beyond words.   I sometimes think pet parents try to treat fear related issues the same way… by trying to strike more fear into them.

As a force-free, positive reinforcement trainer I encourage people to address the underlying motivations that drive the unwanted behavior.   The best way to do this is through a gentle, loving, force-free and positive approach.  Rather than reach for a prong or shock collar, I recommend you opt for positive reinforcement that leads to positive results!   Force free training doesn’t always lead to overnight success, but it’s been proven effective!  Sometimes the longer path is the best path! We should seek to treat our animals humanely, and do what’s in their best interest, rather than allow our impatience to lead us to do something harmful!