So while patience may have its virtues
in some phases of dog training, tolerance is on very shaky ground.
Consistency and persistency are the keys. Sometimes, properly
directed, impatience and venting irritation or anger can pay
off. But not frequently, constantly or excessively. Nothing sets
back a training program like flying off the handle when enforcing
or demanding something of a dog that's aware of what's expected
of him.
Praise, in contrast to even warranted and "knows what it's
for" punishment, works wonders in impressing a dog with
what you want him to do. This includes encouragement when he
does something desirable on his own hook, without any command
from you. Too many would be trainers stint on the "reward"
in the form of verbal praise and physical petting, or egging
him on in an excited tone when his reaction to something new
and strange is good, like snuffling about and becoming animated
when he encounters bird scent; or "sweet talking" him
when he is casting or quartering properly and voluntarily checks
in with you or maintains contact.
Should he react badly to some "first encounter" ignoring
at least not fusing about it is the proper tactic. Don't punish,
lest he associate that unpleasantness with the thing he's confused
or apprehensive about and "misbehave" in an effort
to avoid both.
Your dog must trust you. In turn, when your dog proves himself,
you must trust him. He doesn't possess the mentality to deliberately
deceive. You do. Don't do it. Don't lie to him, don't make a
fool of him. Never send him out to retrieve when there's nothing
to fetch or tell him there's "birds, birds, hunt 'em out"
in places devoid of game. |
It's nothing short of remarkable how quickly a dog will
associate a command or urging with something pleasant or desirable
that elicits your praise, redoubling his efforts to seek, produce
or just please you.
Be always persistent. Alternate punishment and praise, as the
situation warrants. In exchange for help during training sessions,
I once agreed to help a mother and daughter who were doing their
own training with some delivery problems they were experiencing
with their Labradors. They went from my place to enter their
retrievers in a sanctioned field trial.
After the trial, they phoned to report that their dogs had both
placed and thanked me for the help. "But," said the
mother, "do you
the first six months is the most
important six months of a dogs life
know what impressed
me the most? In the three days we spent with you, other than
an attention getting swat, I never saw you strike or shock a
dog, in contrast with what seems to be the general rule."
My answer was, "You must have been there during some good
sessions, then. I don't hesitate to dish out some firm discipline.
Properly, sparingly and judiciously used, electronic collars
are most useful training tools. It must have been that none of
the dogs did anything serious enough to warrant more than a swat
or a shake. There's no point in getting rough unless you have
to, nor in making harsh treatment a cornerstone of your training
program. You try to turn out a dog
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that's happy about doing right and proud
of pleasing you."
The degree and the amount of punishment must suit the offense
and the individual dog. It's easy to say that tough dogs can
take it and soft dogs can't. That may be a reasonable rule for
starters. But every recalcitrant dog isn't a stubborn hard-head.
There are bold, tough intelligent dogs that are contrite following
a harsh verbal dressing down. Conversely, there are hesitant,
ingratiating, butter-wouldn't-melt-in their-mouth types who manipulate
the restraint a cautiously sensible trainer imposes on himself
to avoid compliance. They may benefit from a sound thrashing,
an exasperated reaction finally convincing them you mean business.
When unwarranted procrastination, lack of compliance or defiance
occurs when a known command is given, the best policy is to "get
on him" and get it over with. Ineffectual nagging, nattering
and hacking is not only ineffective but inhumane and counterproductive.
However, if driven to getting physical with a dog, use judgment.
You have to have some have to have some understanding and rapport
with your particular dog to know when to lay off and avoid temporarily
blowing his mind and perhaps permanently cowing him.
When giving a stubborn dog a necessary licking, bear in mind
what I was once told by the late Charles "Chuck" Morgan,
one of the pioneer retriever trainers in the U.S.. "The
first three or four swats are for the dog's good, anything beyond
that you're doing for your own satisfaction."
Then, after you've done your duty, make up with your dog. Don't
banish him to his kennel or keep him in limbo. Don't play physiologi |
