Leadership replaces Dominance
If you believe in the 'dominance theory' methods (whereby you demand submissive behaviour from your dog towards you at all times and any 'dominant' behaviours are a challenge to your status as pack alpha and MUST be corrected), please read this: Sue-Eh on Dominance. I doubt it will change your mind, but perhaps it might open it just a little bit.
Here follows my journey from advocate and practitioner of Dominance to practitioner and teacher of Leadership.
Approximately 13 years ago, we adopted 2 adult male dogs from a shelter (we named them Digby and Chester). They clearly hadn't had 5 minutes training between them. This wasn't a problem for me, but had I really understood how little my husband knew of dealing with such dogs, I would likely have only taken 1 dog at a time.
Needless to say, we had a few issues to sort out. I found a little book called 'The Dog Man' by Martin McKenna (now out of print). It was no ordinary training manual. It didn't cover how to train any of the usual behaiours, but instead taught the HUMAN to be the 'pack alpha'. It contained a version of what is now called 'dominance theory'. It lead us to train our new pack members with such methods as 'the alpha roll' popularised by Caesar Millan.
In short, both these dogs were trained with SEVERE, immediate correction for their wrong-doings and any apparent displays of dominance (and rewards for correct behaviour). To both these dogs, I offer sincere apologies.
Honestly, I was never totally comfortable with 'dominance theory' methods. Techniques such as the 'alpha roll' are too dangerous to implement - even Caesar Millan gets himself bitten regularly using his own methods. I, like many pet owners, want to be able to have my small dog sit on my lap if I so wish (expressly forbidden in 'dominance theory' because that puts them above you in the pack order). But there didn't seem to be anything better and it seemed to work. In fact, I recommended Martin McKenna's book to other owners I met who were having problems training their dogs.
Approximately 5 years ago, I volunteered at a local animal shelter where I met a dog trainer on staff who was highly skilled and a pleasure to talk to. She, like me, had originally learned to train dogs using dominance and corrections (including check chains, side checks, and pushing/pulling your dog in to whatever position you were trying to train). BUT she had learned a new way and she shared it with me. It was Karen Pryor's clicker training. She had 2 dogs - her old Retriever, whom she had trained using the old methods and her Standard Labradoodle, whom she had trained using only positive methods. The difference in their work ethic converted me immediately to these new methods. The old dog was reliable, stable and responded to all commands, but without much enthusiasm (yes, even allowing for old age). The young dog displayed amazing enthusiasm and desire to please and to work. Most noticeable though, was his complete lack of fear to try new behaviours.
Daisylea Phoebe is the first dog I've owned since learning about these new ways. I absolutely love that Phoebe has no fear of what will happen if she gets it wrong. The worst that will happen is that I say "ah-ah!" or "no!", and I'm even re-training myself out of that. I'm still not getting it 100% right and I'm now trying to re-train and re-educate my husband - he is still using dominance methods and giving me 'death stares' when I break the rules we learned all those years ago.
Currently I have my own 'before' and 'after examples. Digby is still with us (aged 15+) and is my 'before I knew better' dog. He responds with his head down and ears softly back, hesitant to make a mis-step in case he gets a correction, reluctant to meet my gaze. Phoebe is helping me cement and refine my practice of the new ways. She responds with head up, easy eye contact and focus and eagerness for learning new behaviours. She knows who the boss is. She knows what my house rules are. She knows her manners. She shows discipline, but it is self-discipline, not 'for fear of external correction'.
What do I like most about Sue-eh?'s article? It encourages us to 'raise ourselves up the ladder' by using these positive methods (aka clicker training) to provide calm, benevolent LEADERSHIP, rather than pushing our dogs down the ladder using noisy, aggressive DOMINANCE methods to position ourselves as the ALPHA. It encourages us to be better, not bullies.
izzy806
prguitarman
baratheonpilled
areudirty
romaincrisis
discoholicmusic