DOG TRAINING CLASSES. WHO ARE THEY FOR?
(By David Appleby© - Courtesy of Louise Thompson)
Ideally they should be a place where dogs of good temperament go, so that their owners can learn the techniques necessary for their training. If this is done well, progress will be achieved, both in the training environment and in everyday life. The better behaved the dog is, the more socially acceptable it will be. For this process to have the best chance of success main-stream training classes should have an atmosphere in which owner and dog alike can relax and learn.
Unfortunately this atmosphere can be disrupted by problem dogs; making it difficult for owners to learn, problem dog owners to find the help they need, and class instructors to teach.
Particularly if their problems are antisocial, dogs with behavioural problems often detrimentally affect the training and behaviour of other dogs present in a class.
For example, if a dog is fearful of other dogs and displays aggression towards them, it may cause other dogs to learn to be defensive at worst and make it more difficult for them and their owners to concentrate at best.
The mainstream dog training class can also reduce the potential of dogs with behaviour problems themselves because their special needs are not addressed. There are also consequences associated with their presence that go beyond being disruptive and teaching other dogs inappropriate patterns of behaviour. These include the fact that the majority of the trainer's attention has to be given to these dogs and their handlers. The safety of other people and their dogs can be put at risk and the ability of the trainer may be unjustifiably called into question if they "can't sort this one out". These factors often result in owners leaving a training club and vowing never to return.
Furthermore the confidence of the problem dog owner can be detrimentally affected, having implications for
their already stressed relationship with the dog and in some cases euthanased or re-homing options may even be considered. The points above should illustrate why the mainstream dog training class should be where well-mannered dogs go to learn. Understandably however, many owners only think of taking their dog to training classes after it has developed problem behaviour and so it is presently not unusual for dogs with behaviour problems to be mixed with those of good temperament.
So where should problem dogs go?
Owners of dogs with maladaptive behaviour require advice that meets their individual needs and the companion animal behaviour counsellor is ideally placed to initially consult an owner whose dog exhibits problem behaviour. However,
behaviour modification is an on-going process during which owners often need local support for the implementation of the program suggested by the counsellor and access to resources.
There is, therefore, a growing need for trainers to offer local facilities to which dogs can be referred by pet behaviour counsellors for continuing improvement. For this reason the development of rehabilitation groups cannot come soon enough.
As a general rule, rehabilitation offers the opportunity for a dog to learn or re-train in an environment that replicates the context[s] in which the problem behaviour is displayed, in a controlled manner.There are numerous reasons for a referral approach. Problem behaviour can reflect a complex interaction between factors both internal and external to the dog and success requires the cause, and not just the symptoms, of the problem to be identified and addressed, otherwise the problem could just be expressed in another way.
So whilst the owner may be pleased with the initial results, the long-term implications of trying to stop what a dog does without considering why it does it can be far reaching, which is a major reason why pet behaviour counselling is both time-consuming and intensive.
Additionally, professional counsellors only work on veterinary referral because it is essential that possible physical causes for problem behaviour are investigated and treated or excluded prior to the introduction of a modification program.
This referral between trainer and pet behaviour counsellor should work in both directions. For example, if a dog arrives at a beginner's class and it is apparent that the problems are more complex than a training approach can
address, referral to a pet behaviour counsellor may be in the dog and owner's best interest. This would have to be after examination to eliminate medical problems and further referral by their veterinary surgeon.
When sufficient progress has been made using the modification program advised, it is likely that the client will be referred back to the trainer’s rehabilitation service to continue to reinforce the new patterns of behaviour.
Who should offer rehabilitation facilities?
In addition to the important aspect of practical experience, successful rehabilitation work requires an understanding of canine ethology, learning theory, human/animal psychology, and good teaching and communication skills,
[human/human as well as human/canine]. Fortunately there are various opportunities to expand knowledge available to the trainer interested in type of work in the form of symposiums, seminars and courses.
There are other considerations such as the need for adequate insurance and the location. There is an overwhelming consensus amongst those who do rehabilitation work that a successful rehabilitation group requires safe, secure outdoor facilities. Of course, it is beneficial if this is combined with an indoor facility which can be utilized for initial discussions, progress evaluations, video viewing, etc.
Two-level approach
The problem dog owner's primary need is to gain the ability and confidence to deal with their specific problem. To ensure that this need is catered for a two-level approach is appropriate. Level one allows individual assessment of the
owner's needs and their relationship with their dog, and also provides the opportunity to develop good communication and the training skills. Level two involves joining a group.
Moving into a group situation does not mean that the problem dogs are worked together whilst their problems continue. Where other dogs are required as part of a program of behaviour modification the trainer arranges for stooges of good temperament. Here the term ‘group’ refers to the handlers being brought together once they have developed some confidence and achieved some initial objectives. The group situation has many positive consequences. Importantly the handlers feel they are no longer alone. The cohesion of the group through common interest and experience can develop their confidence and provide a network of support. Of course the objective of rehabilitation groups is that those attending them will be able to enter into main stream classes or will no longer require support because they can reintegrate with the rest of canine and human society.
Note from Louise
The above article describes exactly how such issues are dealt with at Paws Abilities
1. The dog training environment is not a suitable platform to solve real behavioural problems!
2. Behaviour modification is really a counselling session, aimed specifically at behaviour modification, or elimination of unwanted behaviour – this is not a training session – but a counselling session.
3. Private one on one individual training lessons to provide the owner with handling skills.
Unfortunately this atmosphere can be disrupted by problem dogs; making it difficult for owners to learn, problem dog owners to find the help they need, and class instructors to teach.
Particularly if their problems are antisocial, dogs with behavioural problems often detrimentally affect the training and behaviour of other dogs present in a class.
For example, if a dog is fearful of other dogs and displays aggression towards them, it may cause other dogs to learn to be defensive at worst and make it more difficult for them and their owners to concentrate at best.
The mainstream dog training class can also reduce the potential of dogs with behaviour problems themselves because their special needs are not addressed. There are also consequences associated with their presence that go beyond being disruptive and teaching other dogs inappropriate patterns of behaviour. These include the fact that the majority of the trainer's attention has to be given to these dogs and their handlers. The safety of other people and their dogs can be put at risk and the ability of the trainer may be unjustifiably called into question if they "can't sort this one out". These factors often result in owners leaving a training club and vowing never to return.
Furthermore the confidence of the problem dog owner can be detrimentally affected, having implications for
their already stressed relationship with the dog and in some cases euthanased or re-homing options may even be considered. The points above should illustrate why the mainstream dog training class should be where well-mannered dogs go to learn. Understandably however, many owners only think of taking their dog to training classes after it has developed problem behaviour and so it is presently not unusual for dogs with behaviour problems to be mixed with those of good temperament.
So where should problem dogs go?
Owners of dogs with maladaptive behaviour require advice that meets their individual needs and the companion animal behaviour counsellor is ideally placed to initially consult an owner whose dog exhibits problem behaviour. However,
behaviour modification is an on-going process during which owners often need local support for the implementation of the program suggested by the counsellor and access to resources.
There is, therefore, a growing need for trainers to offer local facilities to which dogs can be referred by pet behaviour counsellors for continuing improvement. For this reason the development of rehabilitation groups cannot come soon enough.
As a general rule, rehabilitation offers the opportunity for a dog to learn or re-train in an environment that replicates the context[s] in which the problem behaviour is displayed, in a controlled manner.There are numerous reasons for a referral approach. Problem behaviour can reflect a complex interaction between factors both internal and external to the dog and success requires the cause, and not just the symptoms, of the problem to be identified and addressed, otherwise the problem could just be expressed in another way.
So whilst the owner may be pleased with the initial results, the long-term implications of trying to stop what a dog does without considering why it does it can be far reaching, which is a major reason why pet behaviour counselling is both time-consuming and intensive.
Additionally, professional counsellors only work on veterinary referral because it is essential that possible physical causes for problem behaviour are investigated and treated or excluded prior to the introduction of a modification program.
This referral between trainer and pet behaviour counsellor should work in both directions. For example, if a dog arrives at a beginner's class and it is apparent that the problems are more complex than a training approach can
address, referral to a pet behaviour counsellor may be in the dog and owner's best interest. This would have to be after examination to eliminate medical problems and further referral by their veterinary surgeon.
When sufficient progress has been made using the modification program advised, it is likely that the client will be referred back to the trainer’s rehabilitation service to continue to reinforce the new patterns of behaviour.
Who should offer rehabilitation facilities?
In addition to the important aspect of practical experience, successful rehabilitation work requires an understanding of canine ethology, learning theory, human/animal psychology, and good teaching and communication skills,
[human/human as well as human/canine]. Fortunately there are various opportunities to expand knowledge available to the trainer interested in type of work in the form of symposiums, seminars and courses.
There are other considerations such as the need for adequate insurance and the location. There is an overwhelming consensus amongst those who do rehabilitation work that a successful rehabilitation group requires safe, secure outdoor facilities. Of course, it is beneficial if this is combined with an indoor facility which can be utilized for initial discussions, progress evaluations, video viewing, etc.
Two-level approach
The problem dog owner's primary need is to gain the ability and confidence to deal with their specific problem. To ensure that this need is catered for a two-level approach is appropriate. Level one allows individual assessment of the
owner's needs and their relationship with their dog, and also provides the opportunity to develop good communication and the training skills. Level two involves joining a group.
Moving into a group situation does not mean that the problem dogs are worked together whilst their problems continue. Where other dogs are required as part of a program of behaviour modification the trainer arranges for stooges of good temperament. Here the term ‘group’ refers to the handlers being brought together once they have developed some confidence and achieved some initial objectives. The group situation has many positive consequences. Importantly the handlers feel they are no longer alone. The cohesion of the group through common interest and experience can develop their confidence and provide a network of support. Of course the objective of rehabilitation groups is that those attending them will be able to enter into main stream classes or will no longer require support because they can reintegrate with the rest of canine and human society.
Note from Louise
The above article describes exactly how such issues are dealt with at Paws Abilities
1. The dog training environment is not a suitable platform to solve real behavioural problems!
2. Behaviour modification is really a counselling session, aimed specifically at behaviour modification, or elimination of unwanted behaviour – this is not a training session – but a counselling session.
3. Private one on one individual training lessons to provide the owner with handling skills.
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