6 New Trends in Dog Training
We’ve come a long way from choke collars and the “show them who’s boss” days of dog training. Increasingly, trainers are using scientific research into canine cognition to inform their methods. Here are six developing trends.
Dog training is a dynamic field, always growing and transforming. It changes over time as both scientific discoveries and innovations by people working in this area influence the way we approach it. It’s been a decade since I wrote about dog training trends, so I’m overdue for discussing what’s new in the world of teaching dogs to do (or not do) things. Following are six concepts that are trending right now.
1. Consent. We often do things to dogs that they may not enjoy. In addition to the old standbys—having their nails trimmed or being bathed—there are other interactions that dogs may dislike, including being touched in a certain way, being guided to a particular area, or being near someone or something. It’s becoming common for dog trainers to respect a dog’s decision about whether or not to participate in an activity by reinforcing the behavior they use to express their discomfort.
It’s long been common not to punish or force dogs who resist in a particular context, and that was a big step from the harsher approaches of earlier days. However, the newer framework of consent takes it even further, reinforcing behaviors that indicate a dog is struggling to enjoy or tolerate an activity. To many, this seems strange—as though trainers are reinforcing dogs for not doing what is being asked of them.
In actuality, we’re reinforcing their communication behaviors. The dogs are essentially saying that they don’t want something to happen. Their reason could be fear or it could even be pain. Either way, we applaud dogs’ efforts to let us know that they’re uncomfortable. That’s good for them and good for our relationship with them.
GET THE BARK IN YOUR INBOX!
Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the know.
2. Stationing. The idea that there’s a value to training dogs to be in a specific spot—possibly on a mat or platform but definitely in front of the trainer and ready to work—is becoming more common. Such an approach has long a part of training exotic animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife centers, but its appearance in dog training is more recent.
Dog trainers are more likely than ever to reinforce the behavior of dogs who are standing in front of them offering attention. Often, people outside the field who see this will say, “What are you giving him treats for? He isn’t doing anything.” Dog trainers will answer this by saying, “He’s doing so much. He is standing here, focused on me, ready to work and staying calm.” Sometimes, a lot of what dog trainers reinforce is the choice by the dog to do the right thing (even if it isn’t flashy) rather than engaging in any number of less desirable options.
3. Husbandry Behaviors. The idea that care of our dogs should be a major focus of training is related to the low-stress handling movement. Low-stress handling for veterinary care, that started with Dr. Sophia Yin, and other interactions is about being calm and gentle when handling and restraining dogs, and about helping dogs who are fearful of the process. Being kind to animals in these contexts was a huge change from prior forceful techniques.
The idea of reducing fear and stress represented real progress, but the incorporation of husbandry-oriented training is an even bigger change. The idea behind training with husbandry in mind is to teach our dogs to do what we need them to do so that there is no need to force, cajole or manipulate them.
Husbandry training takes many forms. It can be as simple as teaching a dog to step on the scale at the veterinarian’s office or to present her paw for a blood draw or her belly for an exam. It can include training a dog to accept all kinds of touching—face, tail, genitals, mouth, hips, ears and so forth—so that being touched during exams or procedures is acceptable. Teaching dogs to stand between our legs so we can administer ear or eye medicine is a form of husbandry training, as is teaching them to tolerate being medicated. One of the basic husbandry behaviors to train is a “chin rest,” which involves the dog putting her head in a person’s lap (or hand) and waiting, allowing the vet to give injections or perform an examination more easily. Even training a dog to eat from a syringe or to swallow pill pockets is a form of husbandry behavior.
The main theme of husbandry training is to teach dogs to handle the many things required of them for their care before they’re in a situation that makes that care necessary. Knowing how to do these things in advance can relieve so much stress in their lives.
4. Online Training. Working with dogs in group classes or one-on-one sessions via Zoom or another meet-up app used to seem like a fringe idea, but now, it’s offered by almost every dog training business I know. It came about by necessity as coronavirus-caused lockdowns prevented in-person training. Most people expected it to be temporary, but now, there’s no doubt that this trend is here to stay.
Originally, remote training was used only when other options weren’t available—simply making the best of a bad situation. Now, trainers and dog owners around the world are raving about it. Among its upsides: Dogs are not distracted by going to a new place and being around other dogs; by working at home, they have a better opportunity to succeed. It’s more time-efficient for both owners and trainers because there is no commute. Trainers are finding that their ability to communicate verbally has improved because they cannot fall back on saying, “Do it like this,” and then demonstrating with the dog. Owners who are self-conscious in a group setting can enjoy classes with a lot less pressure. People save money because they don’t have to pay trainers for travel time. Finally, people are no longer limited to the trainers in their area, and trainers can work with more people because they don’t need as much time between sessions.
5. Increasingly Dog-centered. The trend toward focusing on the dog’s perspective has been around in training for a long time. Even so, the idea that the dog’s needs always come first and that the dog’s well-being is the number-one concern at all times is becoming a major talking point in all kinds of training discussions. As a result, dog trainers are far more likely to be attuned to dogs and to make decisions based on what’s best for them.
6. Training as a Recreational Activity. Lots of people are engaging in dog training just for fun, learning from experts to enhance their enjoyment of activities with their dogs. Part of this increase may be a result of lifestyle changes during the pandemic. More and more, I work with clients who tell me about their interest in particular dog books, dog webinars and dog podcasts. There are so many resources, and people are taking advantage of them.
Professional trainers are also taking a recreational approach to dog training, experimenting with and sharing fun ideas, tricks and tips. Again, this may be related to the change in schedules and extra time many people have at home with their dogs, but I hope the serious trend of training just for fun continues—for the sake of humans and canines alike.
You may think I’m biased when I emphasize the power of dog training to enhance everything about our experiences with dogs and their experiences with us—and you would be right. Dog training is one of the best ways to improve the lives of our dogs. It allows them to interact with us in positive ways, which improves our relationship with them. Teaching them how to behave allows them to participate in more aspects of our lives, makes basic care easier as well as less stressful, and it’s fun.
Hi there friends, good piece of writing and pleasant urging commented
at this place, I am truly enjoying by these.
Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m
impressed! Very helpful info particularly the closing part 🙂 I maintain such info much.
I used to be looking for this particular information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
It wwas a standout job at thhe time, as she wwas onne of the
handful of heroes to function a minimum wage job.
Feel free to visit my web-site: 유흥알바
To mitigate this threat, workers require to focus on enhncing the one of a kid worth they bring to their roles.
my blog post: 밤알바
If yoou do this, then you run the risk of private and bank imformation stolen by cybercriminals.
my blog; toto79.org
Hold in thoughts thgat even if you meet the credit score requirement, you aare
not assured an approval.
my web blog: 정부지원대출
Get on line loans NZ-wide & If you are approved, you’ll have income inn your account inside 24 hrs.
Check out my site: 무직자 대출
Situatyed on thhe 6F of LOTTE HOTEL JEJU,
LOTTE Casino is sprawled over a total area off two,574 square meters.
Here is my web blog – 바카라사이트 순위
The complete application process takes a couple of minutes of your day and is explained
on the website.
Feel free to surf to my weeb blog :: 연봉실수령표
With that setup, I’m usually walking away with a small extra than I began with—ifI’m
fortunate.
Also visit my homepage … 우리카지노
Now out there in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan New
Jersey, New York, Tennesee and Virginia.
my page 슬롯사이트
Just after beinng laid off in September, Zucker is now freelancing and searching ffor a complete-time job.
My website :: 쩜오 알바
continuously i used to read smaller content which as
well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am
reading at this time.
Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to
get there! Appreciate it
I don’t know what I’m going to do with my life any longer bsides be a mom.
Also visit my web site – 여성 유흥알바
Hi there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m
having a hard time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Now, in Panama, no significantly less than 40 gambling facilities have been constructed from
the ground up.
my wweb blog :: Sports betting sites
Excellent items from you, man. I have understand your stuff
previous to and you are simply too great.
I actually like what you have obtained right here,
certainly like what you are stating and the way in which in which you say it.
You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible.
I can’t wait to learn far more from you. This is actually a
terrific site.
I like the helpful info you provide on your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and test again right here regularly.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know
a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure
why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers
and both show the same outcome.
Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I
guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the
whole thing. Do you have any tips for inexperienced blog writers?
I’d genuinely appreciate it.
It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this site, i am
browsing this web page dailly and get pleasant data
from here all the time.
Hi to every single one, it’s truly a good for
me to pay a quick visit this web page, it
contains helpful Information.
This info is invaluable. How can I find out more?
Great information. Lucky me I came across your website by accident (stumbleupon).
I have saved it for later!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest
twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this
for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have
some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website unintentionally, and I’m surprised why this accident didn’t
came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Good post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Bless you!
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted at
this web site is genuinely good.
It’s an awesome article in favor of all
the online people; they will get advantage from it I am sure.
Hello, constantly i used to check weblog posts here early in the
morning, because i love to learn more and more.
you’re in reality a just right webmaster. The website loading velocity is
incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
In addition, The contents are masterpiece.
you’ve performed a great process in this topic!
I simply couldn’t go away your website prior to
suggesting that I extremely loved the standard information a person provide to your
guests? Is going to be again steadily to check out new posts
What’s up everyone, it’s my first visit at this web site, and article is truly fruitful in support of me,
keep up posting these content.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a
famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site.
I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return yet again since i have book marked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be
rich and continue to help others.
Wow, this article is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing these things, thus I
am going to let know her.
Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other person’s website link
on your page at proper place and other person will also do same for you.
We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new
scheme in our community. Your website provided us with
valuable info to work on. You’ve performed a
formidable job and our whole community can be grateful to you.
With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of
plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either
written myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it
is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know
any ways to help stop content from being stolen? I’d certainly appreciate it.
Hi there, always i used to check webpage posts here
early in the break of day, for the reason that i enjoy to
learn more and more.
I read this piece of writing completely regarding the difference of
most recent and previous technologies, it’s awesome article.
Unquestionably believe that that you said. Your favourite justification appeared to be at the internet
the easiest thing to keep in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as other people think about concerns that they plainly do not recognize about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out the
whole thing without having side effect , other people could take a
signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thank you
I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
Hello there, I found your blog by means of Google at the same time as
searching for a related subject, your web site
came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
I’m gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll appreciate for
those who proceed this in future. Numerous other folks will likely be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Unquestionably believe that which you stated.
Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web the
easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get
irked while people think about worries that they just don’t know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole
thing without having side effect , people can take a
signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your
content. Please let me know. Many thanks
great post, very informative. I ponder why the opposite specialists of
this sector don’t understand this. You must continue your writing.
I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
Hello! I realize this is sort of off-topic however I needed
to ask. Does building a well-established blog such
as yours require a lot of work? I am brand new to operating a blog
but I do write in my diary everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and views online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or
tips for new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This sort of clever
work and reporting! Keep up the great works guys I’ve you
guys to blogroll.