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Patient: “Doctor Doctor, It hurts when I move like this.”
Doctor: “So don’t move like that!”
Pet owner: “My dog jumps up and snatches food from the counter
when I am prepping dinner.”
Dog trainer: "Don't let him do that... anymore.”
We’ve all heard it a thousand times. We live in a “quick-fix” society; we want the problem solved yesterday. When the results aren’t fast enough, or the solution simple enough, we just dodge the problem all together. No need to treat the source when we can simply avoid the symptoms. But where do we draw the line? And what does any of this have to do with dog training?
Doing a Google search on dog training and management will provide a wealth of articles. There are articles discussing safety through management, aggression controlled through management, management devices, and preventative management. All great topics when used in the right context. The problem arises when real training goes out the window in favor of management techniques. There is a distinct difference between management and training. Management implies controlling the environment and subsequent access to resources. Training focuses instead on communication and clearly defining rules and etiquette for interaction with that very environment management seeks to control. Management aims to create an ideal world with ultimate control over variables. Training recognizes the existence of a real world, and approaches with the goal of internalizing lessons so that variables are no longer problematic.
Now don’t go jumping to the conclusion that I feel all forms of management are detrimental to the learning process. Quite the contrary, management can be a wonderful thing. Benefits include instant results, providing an environment for your dog to be successful, and offering a reasonable, temporary solution while the real work gets done. However, management alone should never be seen as the completed goal. Wherever management falls short, the real problems begin.
Let me draw some examples for your vivid imagination.
:: Casey is an intact male Presa Canario at 5 months of age. His still-bubbly personality leads him to overt displays of exuberance every time the doorbell rings. At a rapidly increasing 67 pounds, his pouncing on guests, full body sliding, and excited mouthing are simply intolerable. What’s Mom’s solution? Put him outside each time visitors arrive. The problem is solved, or at least managed. Now fast-forward four months. Casey is 9 months, and just starting to develop his natural territorial instincts. The doorbell rings, while our poor pup is once again shuffled outside. Desperate to get back into his house, Casey begins a frantic search of the perimeter, discovering a screen door left open. Through the door, around the corner, and … there, across the kitchen and heading toward the bedrooms. An intruder is in his house, with his family. Moments later, Casey has received his first live bite. Already on the wrong path, this young pup’s future looks none too bright. ::
:: Larry the lethargic yellow lab always amazes his family when the rigors of old age melt away in favor of a rousing game of “dine and dash”. His counter-surfing habits have long been known to the immediate family. Certainly everyone is aware that when cooking time arrives, Larry must go to his kennel. Well, apparently not everyone has been brought up to speed. Offering to prepare dinner for the family, Aunt Sue and Grandma Barb are busy searching for the basil when Larry zooms into the kitchen, grabs the whole rotisserie chicken, and has himself a very fine feast. Looks like carryout for dinner tonight. ::
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