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The Importance Of A Proper Correction |
| By Adam Catz |
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There are headstrong dogs that know too well that a verbal "no" from you is the worst that they're gonna get and this will quickly lead to them ignoring the handler. In the wild when one of the pack is out of line, he is corrected by the Alpha. Now if the dog knows what the correction is, then that is all and good, but seeing people correct their dog and the dog not being familiar with the correction and its purpose troubles me.
This is why I would prefer to teach the correction to the dog while teaching the heel command while walking on leash. If taught properly, the dog will quickly learn to associate undesirable as well as desirable heeling behavior. We must remember, at a young age, our dogs do not know what a negative behavior is. What they learn to be negative behavior, is what we instill in them. Usually our idea of negative behavior is the inability for the dog to perform the desired learned task, thus resulting in some sort of correction whether it be verbal or some other kind.
Top trainers will tell you to find what works best for your dog. No dog is the same, and while one may be very subject to verbalizing, another maybe of a more stubborn breed needing the actual physical contact to help achieve the desired result.
Personally I am now at the point with my dog where verbalizing my unhappiness with him will attain the desired result. My dog is a Lab, and being of a more placid breed, he is not head strong and he can be effected quite easily by rough treatment. However there are even times today when He will be distracted by something to the point where a firm correction is needed to retain his attention.
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About The Author:
Adam Catz, is a Trainer working in the U.S. and he has written a book specifically dealing with aspects of dog training/behavior modification. He is a big advocate fore "tough love" and although I do not agree with some of his methods, he is very popular and has helped a lot of dog owners with problems that they were having with their dogs.
For more great info check out the following links
http://www.web-rover.com
http://www.petsblogs.com |
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RE: The Importance Of A Proper Correction
Ladyshot. I'm with you!
A mother dog's strongest reprimand is the mouth on the back of the neck, possibly pushing puppy to the ground and the rough growl.
And not very often at that.
Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior unless someone is in danger.
I think people do dogs a disservice by demanding they tow the line and shiver in fear at the possibility of being roughed up. They are not automatons who are supposed to do what they want you to do on command every time.
Happy dogs do what they do because they love to do it and they love pleasing you, the alpha dog.
RE: The Importance Of A Proper Correction
I was interested to read your article - but vehemently disagree with 'tough love' - all you teach your dog is fear as opposed to respect.
I have seven dogs and they are all beautifully behaved and if they do something wrong, a sharp verbal reprimand is all they need to pull them up.
In cases of severe bad behaviour, the roughest I EVER get with them is to hold their heads just behind their ears (without hurting them, but firmly enough to grab their attention) and glare at them, giving them a deep 'growl' - grrrrrrrrr.
Direct eye contact will let them know who is boss and they will invariably not want to hold your gaze. In the wild this is how alpha dogs hold their top positions - 'staring down' the inferior pack animal always wins the day.
NEVER hit a dog. They become 'hand shy' - (flinch if you raise a hand, as they associate this with beating). This is a heart-breaking reaction to see in any dog and its human handler - and shows that the handler has opted for brutality as opposed to patience.
The Importance of Proper Correction is not so much the correction - but the ability to teach them the right way to behave. This should be done with encouragement and praise when the behaviour is good - and patience when they disappoint.
The ability to send clear messages as opposed to mixed ones gets an excellent response. More often than not, if a dogs bad behaviour is bad - the blame can invariably be laid at the human handlers door as opposed to the animals.
Dogs crave affection and love - and will respond much more quickly to that. Hit them and they fear you.
My seven dogs will walk through fire for me - because I have earnt their respect and not their fear.
Nothing will ever change that belief.
Love a dog and you have a lifelong friend who aches to learn - beat a dog and you have a fearful servant who will do your bidding - not to please but rather to avoid a beating... There is a world of difference between the two...
Ladyshot
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