As I mentioned in the introductory post This is The Dawg Mama, I don't use just one training method.
When my wife and I began our dog care business we quickly learned that without implementing some training in our care, our house would end up a big poopy mess…literally. We had to have some order because without it, caring for multiple dogs is not only exhausting but dangerous.
While both of us had years of cumulative experience as dog guardians, professionally caring for 2-12 dogs at a time was wholly different. That's when I began using library books, the internet, and training videos to learn how to be a better dawg mama.
Many years before, a dear friend introduced me to Cesar Millan methods. While I thought his methods had merit, my curious brain wanted to explore other options. That's when I began to understand the dog training world is sometimes mean and political. It was disappointing to discover so many people who claimed to love dogs yet seemed eager to denigrate other trainers at the drop of a leash.
Pack Leadership Vs. Positive Reinforcement
The biggest dog (trainer) fight out there is the one of so-called dominance training vs. so-called positive reinforcement. Both methods have pros and cons. Which one do I use? Both.
Pack or dominance training is criticized because the human is in charge. Human and dog are not equals and the human acts as a leader to the pack. Humanist positive reinforcement is criticized for letting the dog be more in charge by bribing it for certain for behavioral results. Dogs and humans are more equal.
However, this is a rather black and white attitude towards these two types of training. Most trainers use a combination of approaches.
Both pack leadership and positive reinforcement observe a dogs behavior to discern what state of mind the dog is in. The difference is in approach. Pack leaders rely more on instinct and respond with not just the mind but the body. Positive reinforcement utilizes collegiate education, such as a bachelor of science in animal behaviorism.
Positive training can involve accoutrements like treats, toys, or tools like a clicker. However, many trainers in this millieu practice leadership too and slowly wean their dogs off treats or tools. Pack leadership doesn't use clickers but may use other tools like weighted vests or head halters for certain dogs, and again, slowly wean them off, if applicable.
Leadership training is great for getting a dog to stay, sit, or keep them from running out the door. Positive reinforcement tends to be great for introducing skills like coming when called or shaking “hands.”
What May be Problematic
Traditional obedience/leadership training is a challenge for people who shy away from confrontation, lack personal confidence, or have problems setting clear boundaries. Additionally those who tend to be too firm or quick to anger may have to find softer balance with dominance training.
Positive reinforcement is academic in nature and has roots in social control (B.F. Skinner), scientific racism and eugenics (E.L. Torndike), and Leninist-Soviet education and research (Ivan Pavlov). This method, when applied incorrectly, can make it easier to accidentally reward negative behavior. It can also foster mutual codependency between dog and human.
Whether the method is positive or leadership in style, operant conditioning (Skinner) is used to achieve repetition of wanted behavior while stopping negative canine reactions.
Both methods are subject to user error. In this video Cesar Millan notes that his shushing technique isn't effective when done incorrectly. In this Substack post on Canine Nation, it's acknowledged that using the treat method can be done incorrectly as well.
None of that is helpful when you have a dog tearing up the house or being threatening. We once had a human client who couldn't leave her house without getting bitten because her aggressive dog blocked her from going out the door. In a case like this, hearing that the training method you're using has to be done perfectly doesn't help.
I use a combination of methods because each dog comes from a different family with varying circumstances. Some dogs are treat motivated while some prefer play or affection. Stage of life is an important factor. Personality and temperament of each dog, even if the dogs are of the same breed or litter, also helps to understand the furry being your working with.
The most popular methods of dog training out there include:
Alpha/Dominance/Pack leadership
Positive reinforcement
Clicker (often used under the “positive” umbrella)
Relationship-based
Science-based
Model or other dog reinforcement
Electric collar (and/or prong collar)
In the next post, I'll discuss my own training ethos, which I call nature-based community-focused dog care.