Let’s be honest. Who among us, human or animal, can’t wait to be trained?
Infants love the warm pee in their diapers and delight in playing with their poop.
Terrible twos smirk as they dare us to stop them from climbing on the furniture.
Kindergarten kids swing from the limbs of trees as if they were monkeys.
And adults. How do you feel when you come up against a NO?
“Training” represents boundaries. It takes a long time to recognize that training may also represent freedom from chaos. In a world populated by more than one, we could not function without guidelines and limitations, even if we choose to ignore them. So, it is important to learn to live with what we’d rather live without.
And dogs….
Dogs are not as independent as cats, although they can be. They usually love to please their owners. Sometimes not, especially when they are puppies, fearless, adventuresome, out to introduce themselves to the larger world. But, like the rest of us, they come up against limitations and regulations and aggravations. Like the rest of us, they find themselves restrained and constrained. And, like the rest of us, they have to learn to live with boundaries. Then, it becomes less of a challenge and more the everyday reality.
What kind of “limitation” we place on our dog’s unbounded freedom is a very important consideration. Some dog restraints can be cruel. Would you want to wear a spiked collar around your neck? Would you like to be yanked back by a choke or chain collar? What about a shock collar? If not, why would you use these on your dog?
What kind of restraint would be appropriate for your family pet? There are collars that fit around the neck. There are harnesses that fit around the stomach. There are collars made of various fabrics, different lengths, and different colors. There are two-dollar collars and two hundred dollar collars.
There are harnesses, an alternative to leashes. These fit around the dog’s body, lessening the “yank” effect on the dog’s neck and distributing the weight to the rest of the body. It is harder for the dog to slip out of a harness than a collar. Typically, though, harnesses are used more with young dogs, whose bones are still developing, and in the training of service dogs.
Leashes, which attach to harnesses or collars, can be made of almost anything. Some are made of leather, some are braided from cotton or other materials, some are short, keeping the dog on a tight rein; others allow the dog to have some sense of freedom to roam and explore, even if there is a human being at the other end of the leash. The length and “fabric” of the collar you choose depends on personal preference and the environment in which the dog will be raised. For example, if you and your dog walk mostly city streets, you might want a relatively short leash, which allows some exploration space, but not enough to “block traffic.” On the other hand, if you are walking along country paths or along the shore, you might prefer a longer lead, giving both dog and walker room to roam.
Muzzles help train dogs who have a tendency to be aggressive towards or try to bite people or other animals. Sometimes they are used with dogs that bark too much, but this is not usually a primary reason to muzzle or halter a dog. Varieties of dog muzzles enable owners/trainers to determine how much the dog will be able to open his mouth. Muzzles are made of various materials, some being more comfortable than others. If the dog is going to be muzzled for any period of time, it is imperative to make sure that the dog’s breathing is not constrained. Muzzles should be used sparingly.
Some trainers prefer to use a system of rewards rather than restraint. It is important to give verbal signs of appreciation when your dog succeeds at accomplishing a task or learning a new positive behavior. Sometimes the reward is a new toy, sometimes a pat on the head, sometimes food. Owners need to be careful about using food as a reward, because it gives the message that food is love and owners who are too “loving” may find themselves with very obese dogs. Your dog is happy to please you and is fine with a word of thanks or a pat on the head.
When deciding what kind of training tool is most appropriate, think about the intended purpose and intended outcome of the tools and methods you are using. Although discipline is important, structure is essential, and repetition is the best tool for learning. Love and patience and practice need also to be included in the mix. Training is a form of bonding, bonding is a form of trust, and mutual trust and respect are imperative to the success of training and to the fostering of a lifetime of companionship with “man’s (and woman’s) best friend.”
Presented by Guest Blogger
Patricia M. Berliner, CSJ, Ph.D.
Enjoy yourselves!
