The Canid Way

There are wide range of methods and ideologies in the dog training world today, ranging from the concept that one must be the ‘pack leader’ over the dog, maintaining strict authority and control enforced through firm discipline and dominance, to the positive method concept, espousing that we establish a relationship with our dog and achieve learning through positive reinforcement of desired behaviors, with minimal use of reasonable, painless, non-physical  consequences free from harsh correction or punishment.  The former has it’s roots in the historical training traditions, while the latter has evolved dynamically over the last 30 years or so. 

The most popular concept today is ‘positive method’ training.  Based on classical and operant conditioning theories, and made popular by successful leading trainers and behavorists such as Dr. Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson and Karen Pryor, positive method (or positive reinforcement) training in its intended form is just what it sounds like – using gentle methods to obtain behaviors, then positive reinforcement to shape and modify behavior. 

During its evolution, however, some things got confused or lost along the way, and “positive method training” has become somewhat of a catch-all term that embodies a broader overall philosophy employing any variety of techniques and methods.  So, a trainer claiming to be employing gentle or positive methods could very well include leash pops, check (choke) chains, pinch (prong) collars, physical manipulations (modeling), domination and harsh corporal punishments as standard, routine, integral parts of their training program¹.  Many of these techniques are intended to be painful or cause the dog to be afraid.  Some trainers do this with the belief that these practices mimic dog or pack behaviors, and so consider the actions to be normal, therefore natural, therefore positive or even gentle²; others believe these methods are a necessary evil and because they’re less brutal than some truly outdated practices (hitting, kicking, striking), they, too, are therefore positive.  Still others believe dogs require ‘an alpha pack leader’, and that harsh physical interactions, stern tones, constant domination and frequent punishments are the only way to obtain the respect and cooperation of a dog.

Canid, llc strives to embrace positive method training in its purest form, incorporating the following elements: 

• Training seeks to establish a common language and mutually beneficial, cooperative relationship between dog and human, as well as provide owners with a working knowledge of dog psychology and learning theory that will serve them for a lifetime
• Training focuses on the human component as much as the canine
• Positive reinforcement based with emphasis on proper application, timing and fading
• Verbal or auditory interruption/correction only; no harsh or painful aversives
• No physical corrections or modeling, such as leash pops, forced sits/downs, etc.
• Humane tools only, such as Gentle Leaders, with consideration as to necessity
• Leadership Programs (vs. Dominance or “Pack Leader” Programs)
• Trainers pursue continuing education in current techniques, tools, behavior and related research
• Training incorporates general education regarding health, safety, nutrition, exercise, enrichment, etc., contributing to overall quality care and well being

Extensive research and anecdotal evidence have solidly demonstrated that positive method training as defined above has higher success rates in regard to effectiveness, translation to owners and novices, safety, response time and lasting result.  As a training and behavioral modification provider, we will never go astray embracing this philosophy, as it’s unlikely anyone would ever complain that our trainers are too nice or not mean/harsh enough to their dog, especially when it can be demonstrated we get better results as those using ‘stricter’ methods. 

Another training practice, known as ‘boot camping’, is also still offered by some trainers.  With boot camping, the trainer removes the dog from the home for a period of time and the trainer solely conducts all training at their location, then returns the dog to their home.  Not only is this type of training very expensive, it’s problematic for a number of reasons and typically has poor results.  With exception only for extreme, rare cases with very unique circumstances, Canid does not offer nor recommend this practice.

A final thought:  In the United States alone, 10,000,000 healthy dogs are euthanized every year.  Many of those dogs wound up in shelters due to unruly behavior simply from a lack of training, most often because their owners just didn’t know how to train.  We believe that education, basic obedience training, behavioral modification for problem behaviors and the relationship those factors create between dog and owner is a critical component to dogs being cherished family members and remaining in their homes.  We have seen numerous instances where a dog was able to avoid surrender or euthanasia due to training and behavioral modification intervention.   Clients are often amazed at the difference just a few hours can make.  Training is a fundamental element of responsible ownership, and we at Canid thank you for assisting us in our mission to combat the euthanasia epidemic by expressing your commitment to your dog through education and training.  Most of all, your dog thanks you!

At Canid, dogs are our passion.  We want them to enjoy happy, fulfilled lives with the families who love them.  We understand that you love your dog and he is an important member of your family.  Thank you for entrusting the care and training of your dog to Canid.  Canid will make every effort to quickly educate, train, diagnose and treat your dog for the best possible result in the shortest amount of time, while ensuring you and your dog are treated with respect, dignity and compassion. 

¹ Encouraging novice handlers to employ check/choke chain, leash pops, shock collars and similar aversive methods is now often considered dangerous and rapidly falling out of favor.  Dogs have been severely injured or actually killed by owners, and sometimes even trainers, using these techniques. Habitual use of these tools and methods simply as a matter of convenience or routine is less effective in the long run, unwarranted and detrimental to the dog’s well being.  

² Even from the time they are puppies, dogs are not confused and understand that we humans are not dogs.  Mimicking dog or pack behaviors may indeed get results, however the result may be teaching the dog that these behaviors (physical or aggressive) are acceptable ways to interact with us.  One might use these methods to obtain the appearance of immediate results, however may likely find themselves (or a visiting friend or relative) at the receiving end at some point in the future.  With dogs, violence begets violence.  Further, canine language and behavior is rich, complex and precise, utilizing visual and vocal cues that we humans simply cannot reproduce and laden with nuance and subtlety we may not fully understand or even be able to perceive.  For example, saying a pinch (prong) collar simply mimics the mother dog nipping at a pup’s scruff or one dog issuing a corrective bite to another is categorically incorrect.  In that example, the prong collar’s sole purpose is to create an unpleasant consequence through pain.  To say that we’re mimicking dog behaviors under such circumstances is a mask of the real intent and serves only to justify the action.  Using training methods that assume dogs only understand interactions that are physical and harsh, based on the belief that that’s what they do and understand when interacting with each other, misconstrues the intricacies of true pack behavior and diminishes the relationship we have with our canine friends.