How do I judge dog trainers? First, judge is a harsh word, but in these days of what feels to me like increasingly intense debate about training philosophies and methodologies, I find myself playing closer attention to my own words and actions, as well as those of other dog owners and trainers. Is training good, or bad or positive, or abusive, or balanced, or aversive, or purely positive, or...??? I dont much care for labels, in general, but I ESPECIALLY dont care for labels in the dog-training world. Because they attempt to simplify a relationship between two beings that is ANYTHING but simple. How do I judge myself and others as trainers? I look to see: 1. What is the dogs overall demeanor to and with the owner/trainer when the two of them are just hanging out together? Is the dog relaxed, cheerful, and forward in his/her energy? 2. What is the dogs demeanor towards the trainer at the start of a formal training session? Forward in energy? Wagging tail? Bright expression and eager anticipation of the upcoming learning game? 3. During a training session, does the dog continue to work hard and try new things? Does she eagerly return to or approach the trainer throughout the session with bright eyes? 4. For a nervous or fearful dog, as a training session continues, is the dogs behavior trending or moving in the direction of increasing calmness or relaxation? (Doesnt matter how much....as long as relaxation or confidence are improving/strengthening. 5. Given what I was or you were trying to teach the dog, does the dog demonstrate that skill? Of course, in the course of the learning progression, skill demonstration will vary greatly, but at the basic end of the game, does the dog show that skill in general life? (I have little patience for trainers who claim they have successfully trained a skill or behavior but whose dogs can only demonstrate that skill in a class or other controlled situation. Out in the real world, that skill is absent or quickly falls apart.) For ME (just my perspective, folks), you are a positive trainer if I see items 1 through 3 above. You are a positive and EFFFECTIVE trainer if I see number 5, too. I vary alot on my self-imposed rating chart, but having taken the time to write it down, Im going to print it and read it each morning, as a reminder to myself about how to be what I consider a truly positive trainer. As my earlier shared article states, The rat is always right. In my world of dog trainers and dog training....the DOG is always right. And the best way for me to assess, evaluate, or JUDGE another dog owner or handler or trainer is to look to see what the dog tells me. Dogs dont lie about their feelings for how they are trained or for the humans who work with them. The rat is always right. The dog always tells me the truth.
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 13:31:18 +0000