One of the most important, and most debated, topics on the subject of dog training is: positive reinforcement vs. correction.

There is a wide spectrum of dog training philosophies, ranging from exclusive positive reinforcement training at one end, and harsh, militant, abusive methods at the other.

As with most topics of debate, any party at an extreme end is lacking a balanced perspective. Neither extremes produce consistent and widespread desirable results, because they are fundamentally incomplete.

To answer the question: “What is the most effective, natural way to train a dog?” we must, simply, ask the dogs!

How do dogs reward and correct? How does a dog pack maintain harmony and balance among its members? How do dogs understand leadership and dominance?

The fact is: dogs correct each other…daily. Corrections, themselves are not abusive or “mean”, they are a healthy and necessary part of communication that accomplishes a crucial element in any relationship: boundaries!

The idea that any form of correction is wrong and abusive is absolutely absurd. A person who adopts this philosophy is likely uncomfortable establishing boundaries in their own life and therefore does not make a good leader. Ask anyone who works in mental health: Boundaries are healthy!

In fact, boundaries are necessary.

Try raising a human child without ever communicating to that child, “don’t do that” or “wrong choice”, or “pay attention”. The result: a child who is out of control, disrespectful, possibly violent, and always upset.

The same is true for dogs.

On the other side of the spectrum; motivating dogs to comply out of fear and blind submission is not desirable, effective, or morally acceptable. A person who is unfairly and excessively harsh is also a poor leader and should not be in a position to teach anything: child, dog, bird, ant, anything.

Someone with a personal need to scare another creature into compliance or submission is also fundamentally insecure and is also not a good leader.

The most effective and ethical way to communicate with a dog is one of balance, and lines up with how dogs communicate with each other, naturally. The easiest language for any animal to understand is their native language. For dogs, that includes appropriate, and timely praise, as well as consistent and fair correction - all occurring with a foundation of leadership, and mutual respect.

When interviewing a potential trainer for you and your dog, ask them what their philosophy is regarding positive reinforcement and correction. Look for someone who falls somewhere along the middle of spectrum and who you feel comfortable with. Ask for references of past clients who they have worked with on similar issues.

Dogs vary individually, just like people. Every human-dog combination is unique and has different needs and preferences. A good trainer should be able to adjust to the dog, rather than force every dog to fit into one method or style of training.

Listening is the most important part of communication. If someone is unwilling to be flexible, and is attached to, or defensive about, their one style; they cannot possibly be a good listener or secure leader.

A good teacher is a good listener. Working with a dog requires constant self-evaluation. If a dog is not understanding an expectation after several repetitions, a trainer must ask him or herself: “What am I doing that is not working?” or “What is missing from this equation?” An effective trainer will quickly recognize how they need to adjust what they do, for each individual dog-human team to learn with minimal stress and maximum success.

Dogs (and people) need to be clear about what is expected of them and then have their environment respond consistently to the established expectations. There are times when our pets need us to be firm, but never without the presence of love and compassion.

Respect is a two-way street…no exceptions.

I volunteered with one of my favorite local organizations last week: Missing Pet Partnership.  The organization had a lost pet recovery booth set up outside of the Seattle Animal Shelter to assist in reuniting people with their lost pets, due to Fourth of July fireworks.  

What an inspiring and touching experience!  What impressed me, among many other things, is that our love for our pets cuts through many other things that might keep us apart.  Honestly, I caught myself starting to judge someone based on their appearance, but it didn’t last long once a dialogue was opened about their beloved lost pet.  I could see the fear and sadness written all over their faces and i could connect to that, as I know I would be a wreck if my dogs were lost.

The best part was when our work…WORKED!  You can imagine how grateful people were, who came in with hopes that were dragging behind them.  The conversations were about what to do, to get your pet back.  Powerful conversations, laced with encouragement, optimism and support.  I was bathing in feeling of goodness and generosity.

Missing Pet Partnership is one of the most important pet related organizations our community has - and they need volunteers for a variety of different tasks.  By reuniting people with their lost pets, it keeps the “lost” pets from becoming “stray” pets, and therefor homeless.  I can’t believe how many people lose a pet, and never get reunited simply because people don’t know HOW.

For more information visit: www.missingpetpartnership.org

I recently counted all of the selections of dog food from three different stores in Seattle. I went to a large grocery store, a large pet supply store, and a smaller “natural” pet supply store, covering the range of quality from worst to best. I counted all the brand names available: Orijen, Wellness, Iams, Science Diet, Purina, etc. I also counted, within those brands, all the different formulas available: “Lamb and Rice,” “Chicken and Rice,” “Reduced Calorie,” “Senior Formula,” “Balanced Nutrition,” “Oral Care,” “Skin and Coat Formula,” and on and on and on (and on and on). My tally reached well over 300 options and I hadn’t even tapped into veterinary offices, raw food diets, and online distributors. No wonder conscientious pet owners feel overwhelmed when it comes to selecting their pet’s food!

My mission: To educate and empower pet owners to make confident and healthy choices regarding their pet’s diet.

Generally speaking, the pet food industry does not exist for the benefit of our pets. It exists as a moneymaking by-product of the human food industry. Commercial pet diets - the hard, dry pellets we scoop into our pet’s dishes - have only been on the market for about 100 years. Dogs have been living with people for thousands of years, so how could their digestive tracts have evolved past a more natural, fresh diet? Do their bodies really thrive on such highly processed, grain-based foods?

How can you tell the difference between This Bag and That Bag? They both say they are “Nutritionally Balanced,” AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approved, and “The Healthiest Food for Your Pet!” Here is an easy first step: Buy your pet’s food from a smaller store that boasts “natural,” human quality pet diets.

If you split up the entire industry into just two categories, they would be: “human-grade” and “pet-grade.” Pet-grade foods contain ingredients that are not fit for human consumption. A few examples: meat by-products, grain fractions, growth hormones, and dangerous preservatives. Human-grade, which is not an industry-accepted label, indicates the food was made with ingredients fit for human consumption, is preserved naturally with vitamins and fat, and generally contains higher quality, more digestible grains. Most of the local, independently owned stores are committed to carrying only human-grade foods. Yes, these foods are more expensive, but for a very important reason: They are simply better quality. Don’t worry! You don’t have to feed as much of the higher quality foods because they contain less grain filler. Compare the suggested daily feeding amounts listed on the back of an inexpensive grocery store brand versus the suggested amounts on a human-grade brand. You will find that you can feed significantly less of the high quality foods than you would the low quality brands.

One more thing: Stay away from any foods that contain corn, wheat or soy as a grain source. They are the three most troublesome grains to a dog’s digestive tract. They have a very low digestibility and often cause digestive upsets and allergic reactions. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: loose, wet, large, stinky stools, gas, regurgitation, urinary tract infections/crystals, diabetes, itchy skin, hot spots, weepy ears, chronic ear infections. The list goes on. If you’re feeding pet-grade food, start transitioning your dog to a higher quality, healthier diet today.

REMEMBER: Introduce new foods slowly. Start with a proportion of roughly 10-20% new food and 80-90% old food. Observe your pet’s digestion for a day or two, and if all goes well, increase to 25-30% new and 70-75% old. Continue to gradually increase the new food content until you’ve completely phased out the old. Also, introduce one new thing at a time so you are easily able to identify what your pet is reacting to, good or bad. It is normal for dogs’ stool to change consistency and even get a little soft during the transition. Just go slow and if one brand doesn’t work out, try another!

Bone Appetit!

I don’t know how many times I’ve said in the past several years, “Walking through the woods with my dogs off leash is one of my favorite things to do.”It is.

There is something so simple, and right, about footsteps in a forest with dogs galloping around you - the feeling of walking together as a unit, a pack, a family.

I am beginning to think it isn’t just because I love my dogs, that I love this experience. I am beginning to think it is genetic wiring.

Dogs have been living with people for potentially over 100,000 years. If the two species have been living together, day in and day out, for SO LONG, wouldn’t it make sense that we are evolving together as animals?

Dogs seem to be getting smarter and smarter and in some cases, almost human-like with the way they relate socially to the world. As we pull dogs closer to humanity, I think dogs are pulling us closer to them.

Consider this: Dogs have measurable, positive psychological and physiological effects on people when they are with them.

There are many positive physiological effects that people benefit from, when with a dog. To generalize: People are more relaxed in the presence of a dog.

I believe this is genetic wiring. When dogs first started transforming from wolves, their roles with us quickly developed into these basic jobs: alerting us to the presence of a threat: cougar in the neighborhood, hunting partner: making our hunts easier and more fruitful, and herding: helping us manage large flocks of livestock.

Dogs have made things easier for us. Imagine being in the wilderness among dangerous predators. Wouldn’t the presence of a dog that barks when he senses a threat, allow you to relax and not feel like you have to be so vigilant? Are you a woman who lives alone and finds comfort in having a dog with you to alert you/deter any potential threat when you feel vulnerable? This phenomenon has been happening for tens, and tens, of thousands of years.

Yup, we are wired to live with dogs. I think our reptilian brains think that our survival depends on it!

Welcome to the Dog Talk Show blog.  This blog provides insights and information for people and their dogs.  In the blog I will disucss a variety of topics, including:

• Animal welfare
• Dog behavior
• Dog alterntaive health
• Dog massage
• Dog shows and events
• Dog stories
• Kids and dogs
• Dog nutrition
• Service and therapy dog training
• General dog training

. . . and much more.  The Dog Talk Show also provides access to all of my Dog Talk Show radio broadcasts (click the Podcasts menu item).  Most of all, I would like to hear from you - whether it’s to share stories, ask questions or express your point of view on a topic. 

I hope you will enjoy the Dog Talk Show and share it with others.