Pain isn't training

Pain isn’t training.
Fear isn’t training.
Discomfort isn’t training.
Intimidation isn’t training.
Violence isn’t training.
Aggression isn’t training.
They are not training styles.
They are not differences of opinion.
These are all forms of coercive control.
Do you want to teach/train/care for dogs, or do you want to coercively control them? - there’s a big difference.
 
Shay Kelly wrote this recently and it hit home so hard that I had to share it with you all.  I spend a lot of my time worrying about people using punishment-based training methods as it breaks my heart.  I see it all over social media, although I do try to avoid it. 

I know of so many well-meaning dog owners seek help with their dog and end up with trainers that show them ‘how to be the boss’ or make them feel like a failure because they let them on the sofa or sleep on the bed.  They aren’t being a ‘pack leader’ and that’s why their dogs are misbehaving.  They are shown how to use techniques that cause their dogs to become fearful of the consequence of them doing a certain behaviour.  They must ‘correct’ unwanted behaviour.  Does it stop the behaviour – probably!  If it causes enough pain/discomfort/fear than yes that behaviour will reduce or stop however the fall out of doing it to me to too great to even consider using these methods. 

Our dogs trust us; we have full control over every element of their life.  They are not trying to dominate us.  They are not trying to misbehave just to make your day harder.  They are probably just ‘being a dog’ and doing dog behaviours.  That doesn’t mean you cannot spend time training them, showing them how you want them to behave and to have rules and boundaries.  To keep them safe and to have any enjoyable life together, but that shouldn’t mean a life of stress, anxiety and worry. 

I know I have written similar posts before, and I know I will write them again.  I can only do my best with the people that are wanting to work with their dogs, to get the best trusting loving relationship possible.  I am just trying to guide those people that might not be aware that they are other ways to help our dogs that do not require fear or intimidation.  Our dogs are with us for such a short time; you are their whole world so make sure that their lives are as enjoyable as possible. 

Reward based training doesn’t mean allowing dogs to not have any rules or boundaries.  I want them to listen to me when I need them to respond, to have manners to live in our human world, however I am not prepared to use any methods that damage my relationship with them and cause any distress.  If they are getting it wrong and doing something I don’t like – I need to reflect on what my expectations are compared to how much training I have done with them.  If you haven’t spent time showing them what behaviours you want them to do (or not do) then you cannot expect anything other than they will be a dog! 

Be proud of using reward-based training methods, show them off to anyone that is interested and let’s show everyone that there is no need to use punishment in training.  

​Jo x
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(Photo of Hallie & Bramley on my bed!)