Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Puppy love: GAIN helps green beret reunite with his ‘children’
(By Erin Thompson)
Army Special Forces veteran Michael Clements has repeatedly faced down death and danger during his eight tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, even for this hardened warrior, there was one thing he couldn’t face – saying goodbye to Jelly Beans and Neighbor.
“It was pretty funny, a badass green beret, all broken up leaving his dogs,” says Clements.
Leaving Guam to retire after 23 years in the service, Clements couldn’t afford to take his beloved dogs with him to his North Carolina home. He was in the middle of a divorce, and headed first to Hawaii for a month of medical treatment for spinal injuries sustained during his service. With no other options, he brought the dogs to Guam Animals In Need (GAIN), which provides shelter for abandoned and homeless dogs.
“I was stuck. I didn’t know what to do,” says Clements, who had brought Neighbor, a Husky, and Jelly Beans, a four-year-old Akita mix, from Fort Bragg for his one-year stay on Guam.
“They’re my children,” says Clements, who says the dogs had the run of his house, jumping up to sit on his lap and sleeping on the bed. “I don’t have kids. They were like the kids of my house.”
Read the rest of the story and see the photos HERE
Army Special Forces veteran Michael Clements has repeatedly faced down death and danger during his eight tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, even for this hardened warrior, there was one thing he couldn’t face – saying goodbye to Jelly Beans and Neighbor.
“It was pretty funny, a badass green beret, all broken up leaving his dogs,” says Clements.
Leaving Guam to retire after 23 years in the service, Clements couldn’t afford to take his beloved dogs with him to his North Carolina home. He was in the middle of a divorce, and headed first to Hawaii for a month of medical treatment for spinal injuries sustained during his service. With no other options, he brought the dogs to Guam Animals In Need (GAIN), which provides shelter for abandoned and homeless dogs.
“I was stuck. I didn’t know what to do,” says Clements, who had brought Neighbor, a Husky, and Jelly Beans, a four-year-old Akita mix, from Fort Bragg for his one-year stay on Guam.
“They’re my children,” says Clements, who says the dogs had the run of his house, jumping up to sit on his lap and sleeping on the bed. “I don’t have kids. They were like the kids of my house.”
Read the rest of the story and see the photos HERE
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Dana & Cartier are finalists in Petfinders best parent contest
(click the pic to cast your vote)
Cartier was one of the Guam greyhounds who was rescued by kindhearted dog lovers back stateside. He went to Vegas...lucky dog.
Cartier was just announced as a finalist in Petfinder's World's Best Pet Parent Contest! Dana, his owner, is competing on behalf of GAIN. Please rock the vote as many times as you want.
-Grand Prize - $10,000
-Runner-Up - $5,000
-Honorable Mention (10 winners) - $1,000
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Pets need A Plan Too
When bad weather is imminent proactive beats reactive every time. So if you have pets but no plan in the event of a typhoon or other emergency now is the time to plan. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES.
Have a pet kit
ID tag / Rabies tag on animal, leash.
ID on all belongings.
Water / food bowls.
Carrier or Cage.
Medication / Food for 14 days.
Written feeding and medication instructions
Have proof of current required vaccinations for dogs and cats.
Have a safe place to take your pets
Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24 hour phone numbers.
Hotels: In advance, contact hotels and motels to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. According to Trip Advisor The Westin Hotel in Tumon allows pets. As a measure of safety call and confirm and also inquire as to what the cost of the deposit will be. Days Inn In Tamuning as well as the airport are also pet friendly. For other hotels contact their management to inquire if their "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency.
Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information.
For an impending storm, call ahead for reservations.
Service animals are always allowed in Red Cross shelters.
If you have notice of impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
Service Dog Tips.
Service dog owners need to make arrangements for their pets as part of their household disaster plan. By law emergency shelters are required to accept service animals.
Prior to an Emergency
You need to gather and compile information.
Determine safe rooms in your home.
Purchase necessary first aid and emergency supplies.
Service dog owners should call Emergency Services to determine what they need to gain access to a shelter.
Take several pictures of all the animals in your household.
Write on the back of the pictures any distinguishing marks that help identify your pet.
Store the pictures and copies of all vaccination records in a sealed plastic bag.
Help Pets Cope
Ensure your pets are cared for during and after a disaster.
Your pet may become frightened and not act normally, use caution when handling the pet.
Know which shelters accept pets and pre-identify boarding kennels.
Have current vaccination records available.
Include leashes and pet carriers, food, water and any medications in your pet supply kit.
Your pet should wear an ID tag on their collar.
Tattoos or electronic identifications should also be considered.
Have a recent photo of your pet.
If you lose your pet
Make a flyer including a photo.
Describe as many distinctive marks the pet has, pet’s name, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached.
Visit the animal shelters at least every other day.
Tell your neighbors, postman, meter reader, garbage collector, and neighborhood children about your lost pet.
Prior to an Emergency
You need to gather and compile information.
Determine safe rooms in your home.
Purchase necessary first aid and emergency supplies.
Service dog owners should call Emergency Services to determine what they need to gain access to a shelter.
Take several pictures of all the animals in your household.
Write on the back of the pictures any distinguishing marks that help identify your pet.
Store the pictures and copies of all vaccination records in a sealed plastic bag
Have a pet kit
ID tag / Rabies tag on animal, leash.
ID on all belongings.
Water / food bowls.
Carrier or Cage.
Medication / Food for 14 days.
Written feeding and medication instructions
Have proof of current required vaccinations for dogs and cats.
Have a safe place to take your pets
Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24 hour phone numbers.
Hotels: In advance, contact hotels and motels to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. According to Trip Advisor The Westin Hotel in Tumon allows pets. As a measure of safety call and confirm and also inquire as to what the cost of the deposit will be. Days Inn In Tamuning as well as the airport are also pet friendly. For other hotels contact their management to inquire if their "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency.
Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information.
For an impending storm, call ahead for reservations.
Service animals are always allowed in Red Cross shelters.
If you have notice of impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
Service Dog Tips.
Service dog owners need to make arrangements for their pets as part of their household disaster plan. By law emergency shelters are required to accept service animals.
Prior to an Emergency
You need to gather and compile information.
Determine safe rooms in your home.
Purchase necessary first aid and emergency supplies.
Service dog owners should call Emergency Services to determine what they need to gain access to a shelter.
Take several pictures of all the animals in your household.
Write on the back of the pictures any distinguishing marks that help identify your pet.
Store the pictures and copies of all vaccination records in a sealed plastic bag.
Help Pets Cope
Ensure your pets are cared for during and after a disaster.
Your pet may become frightened and not act normally, use caution when handling the pet.
Know which shelters accept pets and pre-identify boarding kennels.
Have current vaccination records available.
Include leashes and pet carriers, food, water and any medications in your pet supply kit.
Your pet should wear an ID tag on their collar.
Tattoos or electronic identifications should also be considered.
Have a recent photo of your pet.
If you lose your pet
Make a flyer including a photo.
Describe as many distinctive marks the pet has, pet’s name, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached.
Visit the animal shelters at least every other day.
Tell your neighbors, postman, meter reader, garbage collector, and neighborhood children about your lost pet.
Prior to an Emergency
You need to gather and compile information.
Determine safe rooms in your home.
Purchase necessary first aid and emergency supplies.
Service dog owners should call Emergency Services to determine what they need to gain access to a shelter.
Take several pictures of all the animals in your household.
Write on the back of the pictures any distinguishing marks that help identify your pet.
Store the pictures and copies of all vaccination records in a sealed plastic bag
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
DOMINANCE DEBUNKED- The Myths & Realities of Training Dogs
As a dog trainer, one of the most heartbreaking things to see is the use of outdated and correction-focused training ideas. People continue to spend lots of money on training that is 'traditional'. Unfortunately, it is also detrimental to a dog's well being. Using 'Dominance' To Explain Dog Behavior Is Old Hat
Dog training today is best understood as a combination of science and the genuine bond between a dog and their best friend. By realizing that dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding we can communicate with them most effectively and teach them everything from good manners to mind-blowing tricks. To download the study in PDF format click here
Dog training today is best understood as a combination of science and the genuine bond between a dog and their best friend. By realizing that dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding we can communicate with them most effectively and teach them everything from good manners to mind-blowing tricks. To download the study in PDF format click here
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Learn About the Myth of the Alpha Roll and Why You Should Never Use It For Dog Discipline
By Lynn Whinery, Bonza Canine Education
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the so-called Alpha Roll — and justifiably so since this outdated method never made any sense in the first place! Having studied the history of this maneuver and its theoretical origins, I think I can set a few things straight. I invite any correction to the information I provide here.
Alpha Dog Training:
What is a True Alpha Roll?
Is it an exercise done to a dog by a human. There are several variations, but the main steps would go something like this:
A) The Alpha Roll helps you to establish dominance over your dog. You do this by making the dog helpless and physically forcing it to stay in a belly-up position. This supposedly established you as the "Alpha" and "breaks the dog's will."
B) Place the dog in a Down. Very quickly roll the dog on its back and hold it there until it submits by lying still and looking away from your face.
C) Hold the dog in this position for several minutes. If the dog tries to get up or struggles, hold it down tightly and do not let it get up! It is testing your dominance.
D) Once in the belly-up position, some of the added niceties that are recommended are to: A) Pin the dog down by holding its neck. B) Growl at the dog. C) Shake the dog by the scruff of the neck.
Who Originated the Technique: Alpha Roll History
The technique has been around since the 1960s at least. It was one of the poisonous offsprings of a wolf behavioral study done in the 1950s. This is the infamous and, in retrospect, highly flawed wolf study that produced the concept of Pack Theory, which involves, along with other ideas, the concepts that there is a strict social hierarchy in wolf packs, that the Alpha wolf maintains this hierarchy by controlling all resources and bullying this subordinates, and that when necessary the Alpha attacks or fights his subordinate pack members to maintain his leadership.
This study also popularized the ideas of dogs being either "dominant" or "submissive." So many mistaken assumptions and conclusions were based on this study, that it would take a dozen posts to review them! Suffice it to say that more modern wolf studies have found this view of wolves to be highly exaggerated and inaccurate.
The most serious repercussion of Pack Theory was that it was immediately applied to dogs, who were thought at that time to be direct descendants of wolves. (See Coppinger, "Dogs," for a refutation of this claim.) So when we use any of the assumptions of Pack Theory to analyze or train our dogs, we must realize that we are using---a flawed and obsolete theory that was based on an incorrect interpretation and faulty observations of a single wolf pack 50 years ago; that was then applied to dogs without testing or questioning whether dogs behaved the same as wolves! (The clincher is that *wolves* don't even behave like the wolves in the study!)
When "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" was published in the mid-1970s by the monks of the New Skete Monastery, the Alpha Roll was recommended in their book. Since the book was a popular seller and was in many ways a positive training book for its time, it became a classic, and the Alpha Roll lived on!
However, the majority of the book was written by one monk, Job Michael Evans. He eventually left the monastery and continued to train dogs, but after the book was published, he entirely changed his mind about the Alpha Roll and was said to have greatly regretted its inclusion in the book. He actively attempted, unsuccessfully, to persuade the publisher to remove it from subsequent printings.
Finally, a new revised and updated edition of "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners" by the Monks of New Skete was published recently, and the Alpha Roll was deleted from the text. Unfortunately, Job Michael Evans passed away before seeing this long-overdue vindication of his change of heart.
The technique was referred to as the "alpha-wolf rollover" originally by the Monks. In the new addition, the following comments are made about the technique:
"We no longer recommend this technique and strongly discourage its use to our clients... It is potentially very dangerous and can set up the owner for a serious bite in the face (or worse), particularly with a dominant dog. The conditions in which it might be used effectively are simply too risky and demanding for the average dog owner; there are other ways of dealing with problem behavior that are much safer and, in the long run, just as effective."
"There is always the chance that autocratic dog owners, having learned discipline techniques, will misuse them. Watch yourself -- owners who are physically or verbally domineering wind up with cringing, neurotic dogs."
Unlike the Monks, there are still many training books and trainers out there that advocate that the Alpha Roll as well as other "dominance" techniques be used by owners to put their dog in its place and enforce discipline through the macho method of dominating the dog.
Meanwhile, over the past years, the idea of positive training has become a popular alternative to the adversarial training methods of the past. Virtually EVERY modern canine behaviorist and modern trainer now advocate positive reinforcement as the heart of any training program.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the so-called Alpha Roll — and justifiably so since this outdated method never made any sense in the first place! Having studied the history of this maneuver and its theoretical origins, I think I can set a few things straight. I invite any correction to the information I provide here.
Alpha Dog Training:
What is a True Alpha Roll?
Is it an exercise done to a dog by a human. There are several variations, but the main steps would go something like this:
A) The Alpha Roll helps you to establish dominance over your dog. You do this by making the dog helpless and physically forcing it to stay in a belly-up position. This supposedly established you as the "Alpha" and "breaks the dog's will."
B) Place the dog in a Down. Very quickly roll the dog on its back and hold it there until it submits by lying still and looking away from your face.
C) Hold the dog in this position for several minutes. If the dog tries to get up or struggles, hold it down tightly and do not let it get up! It is testing your dominance.
D) Once in the belly-up position, some of the added niceties that are recommended are to: A) Pin the dog down by holding its neck. B) Growl at the dog. C) Shake the dog by the scruff of the neck.
Who Originated the Technique: Alpha Roll History
The technique has been around since the 1960s at least. It was one of the poisonous offsprings of a wolf behavioral study done in the 1950s. This is the infamous and, in retrospect, highly flawed wolf study that produced the concept of Pack Theory, which involves, along with other ideas, the concepts that there is a strict social hierarchy in wolf packs, that the Alpha wolf maintains this hierarchy by controlling all resources and bullying this subordinates, and that when necessary the Alpha attacks or fights his subordinate pack members to maintain his leadership.
This study also popularized the ideas of dogs being either "dominant" or "submissive." So many mistaken assumptions and conclusions were based on this study, that it would take a dozen posts to review them! Suffice it to say that more modern wolf studies have found this view of wolves to be highly exaggerated and inaccurate.
The most serious repercussion of Pack Theory was that it was immediately applied to dogs, who were thought at that time to be direct descendants of wolves. (See Coppinger, "Dogs," for a refutation of this claim.) So when we use any of the assumptions of Pack Theory to analyze or train our dogs, we must realize that we are using---a flawed and obsolete theory that was based on an incorrect interpretation and faulty observations of a single wolf pack 50 years ago; that was then applied to dogs without testing or questioning whether dogs behaved the same as wolves! (The clincher is that *wolves* don't even behave like the wolves in the study!)
When "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" was published in the mid-1970s by the monks of the New Skete Monastery, the Alpha Roll was recommended in their book. Since the book was a popular seller and was in many ways a positive training book for its time, it became a classic, and the Alpha Roll lived on!
However, the majority of the book was written by one monk, Job Michael Evans. He eventually left the monastery and continued to train dogs, but after the book was published, he entirely changed his mind about the Alpha Roll and was said to have greatly regretted its inclusion in the book. He actively attempted, unsuccessfully, to persuade the publisher to remove it from subsequent printings.
Finally, a new revised and updated edition of "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners" by the Monks of New Skete was published recently, and the Alpha Roll was deleted from the text. Unfortunately, Job Michael Evans passed away before seeing this long-overdue vindication of his change of heart.
The technique was referred to as the "alpha-wolf rollover" originally by the Monks. In the new addition, the following comments are made about the technique:
"We no longer recommend this technique and strongly discourage its use to our clients... It is potentially very dangerous and can set up the owner for a serious bite in the face (or worse), particularly with a dominant dog. The conditions in which it might be used effectively are simply too risky and demanding for the average dog owner; there are other ways of dealing with problem behavior that are much safer and, in the long run, just as effective."
"There is always the chance that autocratic dog owners, having learned discipline techniques, will misuse them. Watch yourself -- owners who are physically or verbally domineering wind up with cringing, neurotic dogs."
Unlike the Monks, there are still many training books and trainers out there that advocate that the Alpha Roll as well as other "dominance" techniques be used by owners to put their dog in its place and enforce discipline through the macho method of dominating the dog.
Meanwhile, over the past years, the idea of positive training has become a popular alternative to the adversarial training methods of the past. Virtually EVERY modern canine behaviorist and modern trainer now advocate positive reinforcement as the heart of any training program.
The Myth Of Alpha
The idea that dogs follow the pack leader first began to take shape in the 1920s when ethologists (biologists who study animal behavior) discovered pecking orders in chicken coops. They began looking for similar social organizations in other species. They found what they were looking for and began to call these groups, dominance hierarchies. This idea really took off in the dog world after former Nazi, Konrad Lorenz, won a Nobel prize in biology for his observations and theories about canines, most of which have been invalidated by modern DNA. (His belief that Germans were the "master race" was also invalidated.)
One result of the theory was the creation of a certain mindset in dog trainers, which has resulted in some pretty horrific training advice. For example, "How hard should you hit your dog?" ask the Monks of New Skete in How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: Their answer? "If she doesn't yelp in pain, you haven't hit her hard enough." They also recommend throwing your dog on her back and yelling "No!" in her face to correct bad behavior. This is known as the alpha wolf rollover and is supposedly what alpha wolves do to enforce their authority. (The monks have since backed down on this technique, calling it dangerous to the handler, though still ignoring the fact that it's just plain mean to the dog.) In The Intelligence of Dogs, Stanley Coren gives us a "kinder, gentler" version of this exercise, asserting: "You should deliberately manipulate and restrain your dog on a regular basis, placing it in a position that, for wild canids, signifies submission to the authority of a dominant member of the pack." He goes on to suggest periodically forcing your dog onto her back while lifting one of her legs in the air. According to Coren, this shows the dog that you're alpha, and is supposed to create a better relationship with your dog.
Around the same time that I first read Coren's advice, I saw a documentary about wolves on TV. At one point in the film a papa wolf led his pups out of the den, began to play with them, and then rolled over on his back, supposedly "signifying submission". He then encouraged them to jump on his stomach and chest and even allowed them to nip at his ears and nose. This was enormously fun to watch because it put both papa and progeny in a happy, joyous emotional state.
So, who's right, here? Stanley Coren and those brutal, sadistic monks? Or the papa wolf?
After thinking about this for a while I decided-just as an experiment-to do the exact, polar opposite of what Coren had suggested. If the alpha theory were true, I would be creating problems by allowing my dog Freddie—an un-neutered male Dalmatian—to think he was the pack leader, right? But what would happen if the alpha theory were false? I wanted to find out. So I got down on my hands and knees and began wrestling with Fred; growling at him and slapping him lightly (and sometimes not so lightly) on his sides, back, and haunches; getting him riled up. At one point, after he was really into roughhousing with me-jumping and twisting around, batting at me with his front paws, even nipping at my nose and ears, totally happy-I rolled over on my back.
"Oh, no!" I cried, acting submissive. "You got me! I surrender! You got me!"
And, just like the young wolves on TV, Freddie loved this game. It made him even happier.
Later on our evening walk, a funny thing happened: Freddie was twice as attentive and responsive as he had been before.
I've since done this exercise with a number of other dogs and I've gotten the same result. Dogs are always more obedient and quicker to respond after I've rolled over on my back and "pretended to be submissive."
So what emotions did I actually stimulate in Freddie when I rolled over on my back? The desire to dominate me? I don't think so. The need to be fed food treats? What food treats? Why did this game make Fred and all the other dogs I've tried it on so damn happy and so willing to obey me at the same time?
It stimulated and reinforced positive social feelings. It was fun. It was a game. It put us on the same level. It made the dogs confident, happy, and emotionally bonded in the most positive way possible. Did any of them suddenly think they were the alpha dog? Of course not. If they had, why would they then be so quick to obey me afterward instead of expecting me to obey them?
What, if anything, does this say about the alpha theory?
See The Myth of Alpha (Part 2) by the author.
About the Author:
Lee Charles Kelley, http://www.leecharleskelley.com, is a successful New York dog trainer who uses methods that stimulate obedience through training games geared around a dog's natural prey drive. Kelley is also the author of six dog mysteries for Avon, featuring ex-cop turned dog trainer Jack Field. All of his novels have dog training tips artfully woven into the storylines.
One result of the theory was the creation of a certain mindset in dog trainers, which has resulted in some pretty horrific training advice. For example, "How hard should you hit your dog?" ask the Monks of New Skete in How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: Their answer? "If she doesn't yelp in pain, you haven't hit her hard enough." They also recommend throwing your dog on her back and yelling "No!" in her face to correct bad behavior. This is known as the alpha wolf rollover and is supposedly what alpha wolves do to enforce their authority. (The monks have since backed down on this technique, calling it dangerous to the handler, though still ignoring the fact that it's just plain mean to the dog.) In The Intelligence of Dogs, Stanley Coren gives us a "kinder, gentler" version of this exercise, asserting: "You should deliberately manipulate and restrain your dog on a regular basis, placing it in a position that, for wild canids, signifies submission to the authority of a dominant member of the pack." He goes on to suggest periodically forcing your dog onto her back while lifting one of her legs in the air. According to Coren, this shows the dog that you're alpha, and is supposed to create a better relationship with your dog.
Around the same time that I first read Coren's advice, I saw a documentary about wolves on TV. At one point in the film a papa wolf led his pups out of the den, began to play with them, and then rolled over on his back, supposedly "signifying submission". He then encouraged them to jump on his stomach and chest and even allowed them to nip at his ears and nose. This was enormously fun to watch because it put both papa and progeny in a happy, joyous emotional state.
So, who's right, here? Stanley Coren and those brutal, sadistic monks? Or the papa wolf?
After thinking about this for a while I decided-just as an experiment-to do the exact, polar opposite of what Coren had suggested. If the alpha theory were true, I would be creating problems by allowing my dog Freddie—an un-neutered male Dalmatian—to think he was the pack leader, right? But what would happen if the alpha theory were false? I wanted to find out. So I got down on my hands and knees and began wrestling with Fred; growling at him and slapping him lightly (and sometimes not so lightly) on his sides, back, and haunches; getting him riled up. At one point, after he was really into roughhousing with me-jumping and twisting around, batting at me with his front paws, even nipping at my nose and ears, totally happy-I rolled over on my back.
"Oh, no!" I cried, acting submissive. "You got me! I surrender! You got me!"
And, just like the young wolves on TV, Freddie loved this game. It made him even happier.
Later on our evening walk, a funny thing happened: Freddie was twice as attentive and responsive as he had been before.
I've since done this exercise with a number of other dogs and I've gotten the same result. Dogs are always more obedient and quicker to respond after I've rolled over on my back and "pretended to be submissive."
So what emotions did I actually stimulate in Freddie when I rolled over on my back? The desire to dominate me? I don't think so. The need to be fed food treats? What food treats? Why did this game make Fred and all the other dogs I've tried it on so damn happy and so willing to obey me at the same time?
It stimulated and reinforced positive social feelings. It was fun. It was a game. It put us on the same level. It made the dogs confident, happy, and emotionally bonded in the most positive way possible. Did any of them suddenly think they were the alpha dog? Of course not. If they had, why would they then be so quick to obey me afterward instead of expecting me to obey them?
What, if anything, does this say about the alpha theory?
See The Myth of Alpha (Part 2) by the author.
About the Author:
Lee Charles Kelley, http://www.leecharleskelley.com, is a successful New York dog trainer who uses methods that stimulate obedience through training games geared around a dog's natural prey drive. Kelley is also the author of six dog mysteries for Avon, featuring ex-cop turned dog trainer Jack Field. All of his novels have dog training tips artfully woven into the storylines.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Next Bark in the Park is 9/12
Join GAIN every second Sunday of the month at 3pm by the Ypao Amphitheater for Bark at the Park, GAIN's monthly doggie play date! Click below for more info
The Dominance Myth in Dog Training
by Paul Owens
While it is true you want to be a leader of sorts for your human/canine family for safety reasons, physical force or punishment or the threat of force or punishment are not necessary. The definition of dominance is “who controls access.” In your everyday relationship with your dog, you want to be dominant but without resorting to using physical force. If a three-year-old child has her hand on the doorknob, she is dominant because she controls whether the dog goes in or out. If she is holding a ball, in the dog’s eyes, she is dominant because she controls access to the ball. So dominance doesn’t mean who is bigger or stronger…although that sometimes plays a part. It simply means setting up your environment so that you control access to things your dog wants and he has to look to you to get what he wants. You control the food, affection, toys, social freedom, climate control, and everything else in his universe. There is no negotiation. In effect, you are saying, “I’ll give you the world, but you’ve got to do something for me first.” When the dog figures this out, you simply ask the dog to do something before providing the reward, whether it be food, chasing a ball, going outside, etc.
For many years, concepts about hierarchy within the canine world led to the idea that one dog in the pack is the top ranking “alpha dog” and that that dog is dominant in all situations. In recent years this concept has been researched extensively by leading animal behaviorists who now consider it to be outmoded and simplistic. Still, the perception that dogs look up to the alpha in the pack as some sort of tyrannical dictator and that humans should take on this role has been perpetuated by the authors of many mainstream dog training books and trainers on television. They use this theory to teach you to mandate your authority as the physical-force leader of your dog’s pack—the boss, the head honcho, the big cheese, the numero uno. Woe to him if he doesn’t obey. Unfortunately, this outmoded idea has some trainers perpetuating the myth that humans should use physical displays with the family dog including physically forcing dogs to walk behind them, standing over them, pinning them to the ground, always entering a room first, and so on, supposedly to mimic the behaviors of packs in the wild. Well, none of these things actually exist in the wild except around food or procreation issues.
The most frequently repeated phrase by trainers who endorse this outdated “dominance” theory is. “You must always win when training your dog.” If you think about it, the phrase “you must always win” conveys that there is a competition going on. And a competition means there is a “win-lose” mentality. How can you and your dog become a behavioral team when you are caught up in an environment of having to compete and win at all costs?
Dogs are social animals. When they were domesticated way back when, we became part of their social order and along the way we also became their guardians, caregivers, protectors, and guides. There is no “one dog rules all” pack mentality. The best way to view your role in your dog’s life is as a member of his family—and the dog as a member of your family. Just as parents and children have different roles in the family, so, too, humans and dogs have different roles. But we’re all part of the same family. In nonviolent dog training, you are not out to compete or “win” anything. There are no “commands” and no threats. Instead, you give your dog “signals” and reinforce his correct “responses.” You are learning from each other how to work together.
Although not a perfect mirror, some similarities exist in the social orders between wolves and dogs. L. David Mech, one of the world's leading experts on the pack behavior of wild wolves, prefers to associate the term alpha with parenting. He says, "In natural wolf packs, the alpha male or female are merely the breeding animals, the parents of the pack, and dominance contests with other wolves are rare, if they exist at all.” ¹ Mech continues, “Breeding wolves [only] provide leadership because offspring tend to follow their parents' initiative…. The point here is not so much the terminology but what the terminology falsely implies: a rigid, force-based dominance hierarchy.” ² Mech’s research shows that, while breeding wolves provided the most leadership, wolves who had subordinate roles also provided leadership during travel. He says, “No “alpha” [emphasis mine] would suddenly run to the front of the pack and force the subordinate to get behind him.”³
According to Dr. Karen Overall, many animal behaviorists believe that although each member of a group works in his own self interest, that self interest manifests in shared responsibilities. It would be abnormal for one animal to constantly have to demonstrate through force that he was dominant. In reality, each situation in the group dynamic entails a collaborative effort. In the wild, these social interactions are dependent on what’s going on in the environment because success for the group is dependent on working together. Wolves have a complex communication system; we are still trying to translate their subtle language. We do know, however, that studies suggest the only situations that trigger an absolute rank hierarchy are around disasters or stressful situations relating to resources like food and sex (procreation).
So the question arises, why do some trainers seem to elicit almost miraculous results in getting dogs to do what they want through what they call “dominance” training. The truth is, it isn’t miraculous, nor is it related to dominance. The results are due to using physical force in order to suppress behaviors, which is done by using positive punishment and physically forcing fearful dogs into overwhelming situations until they “shut down,” which is called flooding. Calling this dominance training is simply incorrect and its practice can be dangerous for both dogs and humans, especially when aggression is involved. It’s pure abuse when used with fearful dogs.
Animals defer to one another to keep their group safe, strong, and healthy. If one individual threatens the group’s collaborative efforts by asserting himself in ways contrary to the group’s well being, he is thrown out. There are many examples of animal packs ousting members who tried to rule by brute force. Wolves have banished individuals who constantly used undue physical force to exert their authority. Monkeys also have been shown to attack and oust brutish members who used their strength and size against other members of the group.
Behavioral scientists are helping us better understand ourselves and our world by their study of collaborative efforts within various species. The following story is a terrific example of how we humans can learn from nature—in this case, from geese:
Parents understand the importance of protecting and educating their children. After all, the parenting role requires not just providing food, shelter, and clothing, but also setting boundaries. What you want the dog to do and the child to do is to take their cues about the appropriateness of their behavior from you and that is the context within which you guide and protect them. A child can’t just run out into the middle of the street or steal a toy from another child in the schoolyard without consequences. In the best of circumstances, the parent acts as a loving, nonviolent guardian; he is the source and provider of safety and comfort, and he educates the child through the use of examples, boundaries, and limits. In the same way, you must educate and act as a loving, nonviolent, benevolent guardian in your dog’s life.
Asking your dog to lie down before releasing him to go up the steps or out the door presents terrific everyday training opportunities. So does asking him to sit before being fed, or asking him to jump off the couch so he can be rewarded by getting back on the couch to sit with you. But asking for these behaviors and rewarding your dog is much different than “showing him who’s boss” and forcing him to sit, lie down, and obey you in all things under the threat of punishment.
So ask yourself why you are teaching your dog to sit, lie down, and come when called. For safety purposes? Ideally, we train our dogs to respond to our signals so we can help them and ourselves be all that we can be. Training stimulates growth and forms a bond between us because it involves communication and interaction. A synergy emerges allowing both our dogs and ourselves to grow and learn in ways that are unique and might otherwise be impossible. I have learned as much, if not more, about patience, honesty, compassion, and congruity—matching my words to my actions, thoughts, and emotions—in the companionship of dogs as I have in any other endeavor. In addition, I believe my dogs have also benefited in ways I can’t even imagine.
So when you read about or hear about how important it is to control your dog by showing him who’s boss, I ask that you reconsider. Don’t compete; instead educate. Show him how the world provides his food, affection, and freedom—and ignores him when he behaves inappropriately. (Of course, use common sense here—don’t ignore him when doing so would cause harm to him, to others, or to the environment.) Educate your dog about the appropriateness of his behavior. Create an environment in which you can guide and protect him, yourself, and the environment.
Dr. Karen Overall, director of the Behavior Clinic of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, sums up the path to a great relationship with our dogs with the following overview:
•Practice deferential behaviors.
•Do not use physical punishment.
•Teach the dog that you are not a threat.
•Reward good behaviors, even when they are spontaneous.
•Don’t worry about minor details—none of us are perfect.
•Always let the dog know he can have treats, love, or toys if he sits quietly first.
•Never do something just because you can.
•Talk to your dog. Use his or her name. Signal clearly.
•Be reliable and trustworthy.
While it is true you want to be a leader of sorts for your human/canine family for safety reasons, physical force or punishment or the threat of force or punishment are not necessary. The definition of dominance is “who controls access.” In your everyday relationship with your dog, you want to be dominant but without resorting to using physical force. If a three-year-old child has her hand on the doorknob, she is dominant because she controls whether the dog goes in or out. If she is holding a ball, in the dog’s eyes, she is dominant because she controls access to the ball. So dominance doesn’t mean who is bigger or stronger…although that sometimes plays a part. It simply means setting up your environment so that you control access to things your dog wants and he has to look to you to get what he wants. You control the food, affection, toys, social freedom, climate control, and everything else in his universe. There is no negotiation. In effect, you are saying, “I’ll give you the world, but you’ve got to do something for me first.” When the dog figures this out, you simply ask the dog to do something before providing the reward, whether it be food, chasing a ball, going outside, etc.
For many years, concepts about hierarchy within the canine world led to the idea that one dog in the pack is the top ranking “alpha dog” and that that dog is dominant in all situations. In recent years this concept has been researched extensively by leading animal behaviorists who now consider it to be outmoded and simplistic. Still, the perception that dogs look up to the alpha in the pack as some sort of tyrannical dictator and that humans should take on this role has been perpetuated by the authors of many mainstream dog training books and trainers on television. They use this theory to teach you to mandate your authority as the physical-force leader of your dog’s pack—the boss, the head honcho, the big cheese, the numero uno. Woe to him if he doesn’t obey. Unfortunately, this outmoded idea has some trainers perpetuating the myth that humans should use physical displays with the family dog including physically forcing dogs to walk behind them, standing over them, pinning them to the ground, always entering a room first, and so on, supposedly to mimic the behaviors of packs in the wild. Well, none of these things actually exist in the wild except around food or procreation issues.
The most frequently repeated phrase by trainers who endorse this outdated “dominance” theory is. “You must always win when training your dog.” If you think about it, the phrase “you must always win” conveys that there is a competition going on. And a competition means there is a “win-lose” mentality. How can you and your dog become a behavioral team when you are caught up in an environment of having to compete and win at all costs?
Dogs are social animals. When they were domesticated way back when, we became part of their social order and along the way we also became their guardians, caregivers, protectors, and guides. There is no “one dog rules all” pack mentality. The best way to view your role in your dog’s life is as a member of his family—and the dog as a member of your family. Just as parents and children have different roles in the family, so, too, humans and dogs have different roles. But we’re all part of the same family. In nonviolent dog training, you are not out to compete or “win” anything. There are no “commands” and no threats. Instead, you give your dog “signals” and reinforce his correct “responses.” You are learning from each other how to work together.
Although not a perfect mirror, some similarities exist in the social orders between wolves and dogs. L. David Mech, one of the world's leading experts on the pack behavior of wild wolves, prefers to associate the term alpha with parenting. He says, "In natural wolf packs, the alpha male or female are merely the breeding animals, the parents of the pack, and dominance contests with other wolves are rare, if they exist at all.” ¹ Mech continues, “Breeding wolves [only] provide leadership because offspring tend to follow their parents' initiative…. The point here is not so much the terminology but what the terminology falsely implies: a rigid, force-based dominance hierarchy.” ² Mech’s research shows that, while breeding wolves provided the most leadership, wolves who had subordinate roles also provided leadership during travel. He says, “No “alpha” [emphasis mine] would suddenly run to the front of the pack and force the subordinate to get behind him.”³
According to Dr. Karen Overall, many animal behaviorists believe that although each member of a group works in his own self interest, that self interest manifests in shared responsibilities. It would be abnormal for one animal to constantly have to demonstrate through force that he was dominant. In reality, each situation in the group dynamic entails a collaborative effort. In the wild, these social interactions are dependent on what’s going on in the environment because success for the group is dependent on working together. Wolves have a complex communication system; we are still trying to translate their subtle language. We do know, however, that studies suggest the only situations that trigger an absolute rank hierarchy are around disasters or stressful situations relating to resources like food and sex (procreation).
So the question arises, why do some trainers seem to elicit almost miraculous results in getting dogs to do what they want through what they call “dominance” training. The truth is, it isn’t miraculous, nor is it related to dominance. The results are due to using physical force in order to suppress behaviors, which is done by using positive punishment and physically forcing fearful dogs into overwhelming situations until they “shut down,” which is called flooding. Calling this dominance training is simply incorrect and its practice can be dangerous for both dogs and humans, especially when aggression is involved. It’s pure abuse when used with fearful dogs.
Animals defer to one another to keep their group safe, strong, and healthy. If one individual threatens the group’s collaborative efforts by asserting himself in ways contrary to the group’s well being, he is thrown out. There are many examples of animal packs ousting members who tried to rule by brute force. Wolves have banished individuals who constantly used undue physical force to exert their authority. Monkeys also have been shown to attack and oust brutish members who used their strength and size against other members of the group.
Behavioral scientists are helping us better understand ourselves and our world by their study of collaborative efforts within various species. The following story is a terrific example of how we humans can learn from nature—in this case, from geese:
Parents understand the importance of protecting and educating their children. After all, the parenting role requires not just providing food, shelter, and clothing, but also setting boundaries. What you want the dog to do and the child to do is to take their cues about the appropriateness of their behavior from you and that is the context within which you guide and protect them. A child can’t just run out into the middle of the street or steal a toy from another child in the schoolyard without consequences. In the best of circumstances, the parent acts as a loving, nonviolent guardian; he is the source and provider of safety and comfort, and he educates the child through the use of examples, boundaries, and limits. In the same way, you must educate and act as a loving, nonviolent, benevolent guardian in your dog’s life.
Asking your dog to lie down before releasing him to go up the steps or out the door presents terrific everyday training opportunities. So does asking him to sit before being fed, or asking him to jump off the couch so he can be rewarded by getting back on the couch to sit with you. But asking for these behaviors and rewarding your dog is much different than “showing him who’s boss” and forcing him to sit, lie down, and obey you in all things under the threat of punishment.
So ask yourself why you are teaching your dog to sit, lie down, and come when called. For safety purposes? Ideally, we train our dogs to respond to our signals so we can help them and ourselves be all that we can be. Training stimulates growth and forms a bond between us because it involves communication and interaction. A synergy emerges allowing both our dogs and ourselves to grow and learn in ways that are unique and might otherwise be impossible. I have learned as much, if not more, about patience, honesty, compassion, and congruity—matching my words to my actions, thoughts, and emotions—in the companionship of dogs as I have in any other endeavor. In addition, I believe my dogs have also benefited in ways I can’t even imagine.
So when you read about or hear about how important it is to control your dog by showing him who’s boss, I ask that you reconsider. Don’t compete; instead educate. Show him how the world provides his food, affection, and freedom—and ignores him when he behaves inappropriately. (Of course, use common sense here—don’t ignore him when doing so would cause harm to him, to others, or to the environment.) Educate your dog about the appropriateness of his behavior. Create an environment in which you can guide and protect him, yourself, and the environment.
Dr. Karen Overall, director of the Behavior Clinic of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, sums up the path to a great relationship with our dogs with the following overview:
•Practice deferential behaviors.
•Do not use physical punishment.
•Teach the dog that you are not a threat.
•Reward good behaviors, even when they are spontaneous.
•Don’t worry about minor details—none of us are perfect.
•Always let the dog know he can have treats, love, or toys if he sits quietly first.
•Never do something just because you can.
•Talk to your dog. Use his or her name. Signal clearly.
•Be reliable and trustworthy.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Dog Training: Animal Experts Debunk the Alpha-Dog Myth
(from Time Magazine)
Dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves live in hierarchical packs in which the aggressive alpha male rules over everyone else. Therefore, humans need to dominate their pet dogs to get them to behave.
This logic has dominated the canine-rearing conversation for more than five years, thanks mostly to National Geographic's award-winning show,Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.
But many experts say Millan's philosophy is based on now-debunked animal studies and that some of his techniques - most famously the alpha roll, in which he pins a dog on its back and holds it by the throat - are downright cruel. Rival trainer Victoria Stilwell has launched a competitive assault on Dog Whisperer by starring on Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog and by spreading her system of positive-reinforcement training virtually and with troops on the ground: this June she launched a podcast (available on positively.com and iTunes) and franchised her methods to a first batch of 20 dog trainers in the U.S., the U.K., Italy and Greece. She uses positivity as a counterpoint to dominance theory and reserves her aggression for the poorly behaving humans. (read the rest of the story here)
Dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves live in hierarchical packs in which the aggressive alpha male rules over everyone else. Therefore, humans need to dominate their pet dogs to get them to behave.
This logic has dominated the canine-rearing conversation for more than five years, thanks mostly to National Geographic's award-winning show,Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.
But many experts say Millan's philosophy is based on now-debunked animal studies and that some of his techniques - most famously the alpha roll, in which he pins a dog on its back and holds it by the throat - are downright cruel. Rival trainer Victoria Stilwell has launched a competitive assault on Dog Whisperer by starring on Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog and by spreading her system of positive-reinforcement training virtually and with troops on the ground: this June she launched a podcast (available on positively.com and iTunes) and franchised her methods to a first batch of 20 dog trainers in the U.S., the U.K., Italy and Greece. She uses positivity as a counterpoint to dominance theory and reserves her aggression for the poorly behaving humans. (read the rest of the story here)
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Caring for Animals May Have Shaped Human Evolution
Students at Truman Elementary School meet Ebony a rescued greyhound
Our love of all things furry has deep roots in human evolution and may have even shaped how our ancestors developed language and other tools of civilization.
Students also met Wheels a rescued paraplegic chihuahua
This "animal connection" compelled humans to learn about and care for fellow creatures, said Pat Shipman, a paleoanthropologist at Penn State University. She added that the behavior seems highly abnormal for other animals on the rare occasions that, say, captive tigers nurture pigs or vice versa.
"The animal connection runs through the whole [human history] and connects the other big evolutionary leaps, including stone tools, language and domestication," Shipman explained. "Instead of being isolated discoveries, there's a theme here. It's very deep and very old." Read full article here
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