As Seen on TV
By Gillian Ridgeway
By now most of us are aware that the “reality” shows that have crept into our lives are not as real as we have been led to believe. We understand that many of these shows manipulate the episodes and that the footage is edited for the viewers’ entertainment.
Added to the reality television shows mix are a few dog training shows. These shows follow a dog and his family, tracking their progress. The trainer gives advice to the family and, miraculously, their dog-related problems are solved. In fact, some of their other relationship problems seem to also be solved by the dog training gurus. The real problem with the shows is that they require an entertainment factor in order to interest viewers. Unfortunately, these days entertainment can often come in the form of over-the-top dramatics. The trainers are promoting potentially dangerous methods in a new package.
It would be fine if we watched the dog training shows for entertainment only, and chatted with our friends about the latest episode, but that is not what seems to be happening. What is happening is that the general public is taking the information in these shows and applying it to their dogs, often with disastrous results. Recently, I have had a few conversations with our clients that are watching, in admiration, as these super-power trainers get almost instant results.
Although I am a huge Oprah fan, I think she made a mistake with her endorsement of a popular television trainer. While I think he is a dog lover, and really wants the best for the dogs, his methods aren’t replicable for the public. If pop up windows advising viewers not to try this at home are required, then the methods should be re-evaluated in. You don’t see pop up windows on Super Nanny, which would be a better show to watch for lessons on modifying behaviours in general.
We have to separate facts from marketing. The study of animal behaviour is not a mystery and the science of it is available for all of us to learn. You can go all the way back to Pavlov and his dogs to see that this science is not new.
Taking a look at some common television dog training theories, exercise is a common topic of conversation between the dogs’ families and the television trainer. While exercise is important, and I will agree that most families simply do not provide enough of it, it has to be noted that physical exercise is not the only area of concern. Putting a dog on a treadmill is not an option you should consider. This type of forced exercise will not provide any mental stimulation; no sniffing and running in the park, no interaction with his people and no chance to enjoy the day.
Mental exercise is something that has to be addressed if you are looking for a well-behaved dog. Provide mental stimulation in the form of training. Obedience, tricks, agility and rally are all great activities to do with your dog and to tire out his brain along with his bodies.
Stress is a huge factor when considering any type of behavioral modification. While most dog owners can easily view signs of stress that are blatant such as growling, many dog owners are not aware that yawning, panting (with no prior physical activity), repeated licking of lips and nose, low tail carriage and even tense slow movements are signs of stress. These signs are very evident to a trained eye when watching the dogs on these training shows. Watch the dogs especially for the low ear set and the aversion of their eyes. What we should all want to see is a dog learning in an upbeat, happy manner.
Stress can raise its ugly head when trying to teach dogs, and people. Would you rather run on a beach or run away from a bear? Running away from a bear is stressful and will increase adrenaline and cortisol in the body. If you try to teach anything to a stressed dog, the behavior will get worse. If you put a dog into a situation that is difficult for them, they won’t be able to listen. Humane teaching methods should not only have the absence of pain, but also the absence of stress.
Lets consider suppression versus modification of behaviour. Suppression works only for the moment. If you use tools such as prong collars, shock collars, choke chains or use forceful leash corrections you will suppress the dog’s behaviour for the moment and on television, time is of the essence.
Suppression requires a lot of supervision by the dog’s owner as you must always be controlling and watching the movements of your dog. For example, you might have a dog that doesn’t like other dogs. You can teach your dog to lie down each time he sees another dog. Initially your dog will be unable to listen to you, due to being in a stressful situation. This is when dog owners might resort to more physical correction to get the behaviour (lie down) they want. Or, you can modify the behaviour so your dog chooses not to lunge out at other dogs. This takes more time and expertise but is very successful long term with the right instruction. Again, not a method that sells on television, although I suggest that a show be developed that demonstrates updated and scientifically proven techniques and visits the family a few months later for an update.
Another note when watching television trainers, the training rarely involves any fun for the dog or his family. Rest assured, you can have fun and still train your dog.
The word “positive” has been kicked around in the dog training community since the mid 80’s and has divided trainers right down the middle. Using treats for training is now controversial but, having trained thousands of dogs over 35 years, I can honestly say that it is my method of choice. In saying that, I suggest that the word “positive” be replaced by the word “respect”. Teaching dogs should be done with respect. Using treats to teach behaviours such as come and sit, paired with time-outs and interruptions of naughty behavior will set up you and your dog for success.
On one popular show, the trainer told the family that his methods consisted of being respectful. He then proceeded to speak to a family member in a very negative manner and when asked to stop, he replied with a “no”. Respect? And, that was what we saw on television, imagine the bloopers.
The same show had this to say about food, “If treats are allowed to be fed to these dogs, well, that child may become a victim because if there is any jam or peanut butter on the fingers and the dog says hey, “I want that” and (crunch sound) who’s at fault? Not the dogs. It’s always the owner who starts to treat train”.
This quote really struck a nerve. Teaching a dog some behaviours using treats as a reward will not produce a dog that will bite. If this were the case, then we would have far more aggression in our dogs. It is a very silly statement, not based on sound teaching principles. It is a statement that is simply not true.
Another note about respect; on the same show, a family member asked that trainer if her dog was frightened. The dog’s ears were back, eyes averted and she was very tense and uncomfortable, so it was a very valid question. She was told, “Is she scared? You are looking at ‘oh poor dog’ instead of ‘sit the frick down and don’t move’”. Again, not an ounce of respect in words or tone and certainly not a show for the kids to be watching.
Next time you are surfing channels and stop on a dog training shows, watch with a trained eye. Does the dogs look happy and upbeat while learning (an indicator that positive, respectful training methods are being used)? Does he avert his eyes, and have his ears back (an indicator that suppression or negative training methods are being utilized)?
So, keep this in mind when watching reality based dog-training shows. On the positive side, these shows do portray the very real possibility of being modify and improve a dog’s behaviour. It does plant the seed that dogs can be helped with proper intervention but let’s not be fooled into following the negative methods depicted by some of these television dog trainers. They are a quick fix made for television.
Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 35 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Gillian also writes for Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the Iams SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net
The preceding article was written for and taken from the June / July 2008 issue of Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Newspaper (with the permission of the author and paper editor).
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