The entire system of dog training comes down to the definition of one word – behaviour. Dog trainers never seem to want to define the very word – but yet, they are apparently all experts in behaviour. Go ask your dog trainer to define the word behaviour – especially if they are telling you to euthanize your dog due to behavioural issues. Ask the same of any vet.
What is a behaviour? It’s your body’s response to an external stimulus. That’s it. Your mind is not involved in your behaviours – that’s reality. Nobody scratches their nose for no reason. Nobody smiles for no reason. People don’t slap someone for no reason. People don’t get reactive for no reason. There is a reason for everything – an external reason for our behaviours. We are products of our environment. It’s the environment that shapes your behaviours – it’s not your choice. It’s not the dogs choice either. Behaviours are not conditions at all – let alone fixable or punishable – or what trainers call corrections. If it’s not a choice – then why punish it?
Dogs trainers and Google define Operant Conditioning as a method of behaviour modification using reward and punishment. Also known as the Quadrants Of Dog Training. Carrot and Stick. Positive and Negative Reinforcement, Positive and Negative Punishment. Reward and Punishment. What you know as “dog training” is trainers definition of “Operant Conditioning” which is the “Quadrants Of Dog Training”. As terms they are interchangeable. Keep that in mind as you read this.
Your dog is barking, punish the dog. Dog pulling you down the street, punish the dog. Dog showing aggression, punish the dog. Dog being reactive, punish the dog. These behaviors usually don’t come on all at one time – it usually starts with one. Then it tends to get worse. Why?
What is causing all these behaviours in the first place? Why is this happening at all? Has anyone ever asked you that question? If you don’t understand the underlying cause – and don’t address the cause – then all you have is behaviours to suppress. Suppression of behaviours through control and management is dangerous to you and those around you. Behaviours need to be understood. Why? Notice how I’m always asking why?
Fear is a big cause of behaviours. Fear can cause all the aforementioned behaviours. What is fear at its core but lack of trust and understanding? If fear is driving the reactivity or aggression or the pulling or the barking – why are you focused on the reactivity or aggression etc? If fear is lack of trust – The dog doesn’t trust you – and you’re not giving the dog reasons to trust you. Where trust doesn’t exist – a relationship cannot exist – the relationship is toxic. But train the dog? Really? Can we step back and at least put some logical thought into it?
Causality – cause and effect. Every behavior has a cause – but trainers have you focused on the effect. Why?
The behaviours you are seeing are the effect – the outcome of the cause. Punishment will only modify behaviours temporarily – that’s why you have to keep punishing. If you never understand the cause of all the behaviours – you’re only supressing the behaviours – suppressing the effects. And that is dangerous. So, your dog starts pulling you down the street, get a prong. Your dog starts showing reactivity. Your dog starts showing aggression. Where do you go from there? The cause is never addressed – so the effect starts growing heads trying to express the cause.
Fear aggression, scary words right? What if I told you the dog is showing aggression because they are scared?You would be no different. If I put you in a fear state – you will fight (aggression) or flight (avoid) – or maybe even shut down.
Treats – what’s called “positive reinforcement” – is actually primary inducements. They can modify behaviours too. If your reactive dog is in a muzzle and on a leash, and you keep controlling – then you are punishing the dog. And rewarding punishment with that primary inducement – food and/or affection. Behaviours get worse, or something else pops out – punishment is modifying the behaviour. The behaviour is going to change due to the cause never being addressed. Great, you “fix” the pulling with a prong. But that prong has forced the dog to express in a different way.
What are possible causes for behavioural issues? Fear, pain, medical conditions, frustration, no job or purpose. If you have multiple dogs, some dogs can’t spend 24 hours a day together. What is training going to accomplish if your dogs issue is medical?
Great – the behaviours are suppressed – only as long as the control mechanisms doing the modifying are in place. Take them away and you’re back to square 1. Take the prong or e-collar off and put your dog in their natural environment – out in the wild or in a dog park. What happens? These tools have become an insurance policy for many people – because you never realize that you need to learn to trust your dog.
When people say my dog loves the prong? There is a reason for that. If the only way you’re getting out of the house is to wear a prong and a leash? Eventually you will accept it – and get excited when you see the prong.
This is how slaves are made ladies and gentlemen. Tools only serve to control – remove the tool and you’re probably back at square 1. Why?
But think about something. That tool you have on your dog gives you a little more confidence that you are in control. Why aren’t you confident without the tool? I am and it was so easy to get there.
Ray Ward 1 July 2024
Well said, Robert.
I have been saying this for over thirty years. Where did all this training bullsh#t come from.
monty 1 July 2024 — Post author
Thank you. Now if dog owners would sit down and listen to the fact that Schutzhund took over dog training for money, I’d be happy.
Sherry Escobedo 12 July 2024
Excellent article Robert. I am fairly new and have a lot to read and learn so I don’t have much of a success story yet.
What you say about suppressing behaviors as long as control methods are in place, makes a lot of sense and seems short sighted now that you elaborate on it. It also doesn’t seem very nice to the dog, and it makes sense that it would add to the dog’s agitation.
Thanks for the article.
June 26 October 2024
Thank you so much. Opened my eyes.
monty 26 October 2024 — Post author
Thank you for taking the time to read it.