Larger text Larger text Smaller text Smaller text Print E-mail

All-positive training approach is too much of a good thing

By John Ross, FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 21, 2008

Dear Dog Talk: I just ran across a short dialogue on the Web between yourself and someone who wants to become a dog trainer. This person was confronted on all sides by the "positive-only" pathology.

I'm a trainer out in the San Francisco Bay area and have been dealing with this issue for years. Recently, I was invited to offer a seminar at an annual area dog show. I'm pretty sure that I want to address this whole destructive issue of political correctness in dog training. I think I'll title my seminar, "Bringing balance back into dog training: Positive-only training and the culture of political correctness."

No doubt my talk will anger some people. But I'm convinced that "positive-only" training, while an understandable response to the harsh training methods routinely employed in so many circles, has done more to damage owners' relationships with their dogs in recent years than anything else I can think of.

This was brought to light a couple of years ago when I was giving a seminar at the annual Animal Care and Control Conference in Los Angeles. Two animal control directors told me that they thought they'd seen an upsurge in surrenders directly linked to this training methodology. However, they couldn't speak up for fear of losing their jobs. Wow!

At any rate, I was heartened to read your response to this new dog trainer, because so often I feel like some kind of lone ranger out here. I am being accused by my competitors as being a Neanderthal, sadist, Nazi, etc. -- all of this because I use a balanced approach. My approach combines the intelligent use of treats, corrections and various psychological methods. Most importantly, I teach owners how to develop solid relationships with their dogs.

So, as I'm starting my research, I'm looking to connect with anyone who shares a similar view. If you have any thoughts, I'd be all ears. Thanks.

Dear Kemo Sabe: There are so many factors responsible for the "all-positive" training approach that I don't have room in a Dog Talk column to cover them all in detail. I could write an entire book chapter on the subject. As a matter of fact, in the near future I'll be doing just that.

I think that the most noble reasons behind the "all-positive" training approach is a backlash to, as you put it, the "harsh training methods routinely employed in so many circles."

While I do agree with you that the "all-positive" training approach is flawed, I find abusive training methods unconscionable. They do far more harm. Nevertheless, the "all-positive" training approach is a matter of "throwing the baby out with the bath water."

I agree that this training method can undermine an owner's ability to develop a pack leader image to their dog. Also, I believe that the biggest myth ever perpetuated about dogs is that they have a desire to follow direction from and to "please" humans. This is untrue. Dogs only desire to follow direction from a pack leader. Only when a human develops this status in the pack will their dog want to please them.

Frankly, I'm surprised that the "all-positive" training approach still is in vogue. Eight or 10 years ago, I dubbed it a passing fad. My impression is that it is more prevalent in some geographic areas than others. I know that it's still somewhat prevalent in the areas of Vermont and New Hampshire where I spend some time.

I'm even more surprised that harsh dog training methods still are used. It just goes to show how sequestered my little beach-bum existence is here in South Florida. My impression is that in the area where I live, training seems to be more balanced. However, I'm not too immersed in the dog training scene here. I give my lessons, write my column, work on some new book ideas and take my dog to the beach.

There are more important points on this issue than I can cover in one column. Stay tuned for Part 2 on this topic next week.


More Dog Talk headlines

Subscribe to the Tribune-Review today



Advertising Information | Advertiser List | About our ads