Neighbor News
What Exactly Happens to Your Dog?
The three most important questions to ask a dog trainer before you hire them or sign up for class.
Dog training is, at present, an unregulated industry with few consumer protections. So, how can you make sure that your dog is not subjected to inappropriate or even harmful procedures. One way is to trust your gut. If a trainer wants to do something to your dog that you would feel uncomfortable doing to an infant, then go ahead and stop them.
Don't be afraid to ask where the person received their education in the science (good trainers use evidence-based, well researched methods).
But, most of all, require transparency. Jean Donaldson, founder of the Academy for Dog Trainers, says that asking three basic questions can help. Here they are:
1. What exactly will happen to my dog if she's right and gives a correct response? (Answer should be that the dog will be reinforced with something she likes - food, toy, privilege, etc.)
2. What exactly will happen to my dog if she gets it wrong? (Answer should be that reinforcement is not given, and the trainer will adjust criteria for the dog to help her be successful and earn the reinforcement.)
3. Is there any way of addressing this in a less invasive way? (If a trainer has responded that the dog will be corrected, a much better answer would have been "yes.") Coercion of a physical nature is unnecessary, and in one study (M.E. Herron et al. / Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117 (2009) 47–54), aggressive training was shown to produce more aggression in dogs.
Remember, you are your dog's protector. To find a force free pet professional, check the listings at the Pet Professional Accreditation Board, Pet Professional Guild, Academy for Dog Trainers, or Karen Pryor Academy.
