Coercive Training

      Something can be dangerous to your clog without being physically harmful—it can be psychologically detrimental. In fact, many of the problems clogs have are emotionally based as opposed to physically based.

      Choosing an aversive approach that causes your clog mental or physical pain should be avoided at all costs. The negative side effects of a punishment- and coercion-based approach are many, and they include even more serious behavior problems related to aggression, fear, and anxiety. Even if your clog doesn’t end up with these problems, it is not in his best interest or in yours, nor does it bode well for creating an enthusiastically compliant canine companion.

      Some might presume that a fun, loving relationship with a dog is contradictory to training. This is probably based on the misleading idea that training is primarily about discipline and correction. In fact, teaching your dog what is expected of him in a calm, gentle, and gradual manner is the most effective and efficient route to success.

Leader, Guide, Teacher, or Coach?

      For the past 25 years or so, there has been a lot of talk in the dog world about being your dog’s leader. Some feel this aptly describes the role we should take with our dogs. Others feel that this word implies a military approach to the canine-human relationship and a need for punitive training techniques.

      However, we expect dogs to survive and thrive in a world that is quite foreign to them. Therefore, it seems logical that they would best adjust with a person (or a family) to lead them in the right direction.

      Human language is vastly different from the way dogs communicate and our rules are often at odds with normal—and in some cases instinctual—dog behavior (for example, don’t dig, bark, chew, jump up to greet, chase, hump, or eliminate wherever you like). Dogs are not equipped to navigate our world on their own, and leading them through these oftentimes trying experiences should be our goal. A mentally and behavior ally healthy canine companion is a happy follower.

      If the word leader is at odds with your sensibilities, you may feel more comfortable referring to yourself as your pup’s guide, coach, or even teacher. Regardless of the word used to describe this position, the job comes down to helping your pup earn a graduate degree as a mannerly, social canine in the human world. So, what does this job description entail? First and foremost, you must formulate a game plan or a curriculum to achieve your training goals (see “Setting Realistic Expectations” on page 4).

Picking a Positive Approach

      Once you have a concrete plan, it is time to decide the all-important question of how to help your dog learn the fundamentals of canine etiquette. The formula for a mentally and behaviorally healthy canine companion begins with teaching him through positive motivation. This sets the foundation for your dog’s good manners, whether you are together at home, going for a walk, participating in a dog sport such as agility or flyball, or leaving him alone while you are out. It is one of the kindest things you can do for your dog, and the surest way to build a lifelong, trusting, and cooperative friendship. Choosing a thoughtful, positive approach to teaching your canine companion ensures that he will achieve his graduate degree as a well-mannered dog.

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       Understanding Your Dog

      Dogs work very hard to understand us, and they deserve the same consideration in return. Dogs and humans perceive social interaction as both necessary and desirable, but we express ourselves in distinctly different ways. Failing to understand your dog’s motivations, drives, social signals, and developmental phases can lead to miscommunication and confusion. In order to elicit and strengthen desirable canine behaviors you must learn to effectively communicate with your dog.

A Wolf Inside?

      At one time, it was believed that studying the social behavior of wolves would provide insights into dog behavior. There are similarities between dogs and wolves, and wolf behavior can provide some insights into dog behavior. However, there are also vast differences. Observing the behavior of a group of wild animals cannot provide realistic information about coexisting with a domestic species in your home. This idea is overly simplistic and sometimes detrimental.

      It was also discovered that many theories about wolf pack structure were inaccurate. Wolf packs are cooperative and complex social structures. Their behavior is designed to ensure the mutual survival of the group. Body language is used to maintain harmony and minimize confrontations. Actual fighting is rare, and active (voluntary) submission is far more common than forced submission, especially for puppies.

      Unfortunately, misconceptions about the role of dominance and aggression in wolf packs have become ingrained in popular culture. It has been used to rationalize the use of punishment during training because people continue to accept the idea that properly disciplining a dog like an alpha wolf is the way to gain and maintain dominant status.

      Setting and enforcing reasonable rules and boundaries is a far more effective and humane way to become your dog’s leader. Rather than intimidating him with brute force, help him follow the rules by controlling his resources. This way he learns to perceive his family as a support system. Adhering to his family’s expectations becomes his way to ensure his acceptance within his family and access to what he wants.

      DANGER!

      Training strategies based on the notion of attaining dominance over a dog range from dangerous to pointless. Maintaining control over a dog through intimidation and bullying is unjustified and likely to intensify behavior problems stemming from fear and aggression. Some dogs respond to this approach with justified confusion, mistrust, and fear. In order to protect themselves from further abuse, they may retaliate with any and all weapons at their disposal—including their teeth. Use your brain rather than inflicting pain to lead your dog.

Dominance and Submission

      Dominance and submission are two terms that are widely misunderstood, oversimplified, and overused. For example, a host of canine behavior problems are misdiagnosed as attempts to exert dominance. In fact, individual dogs often display both dominant and submissive behavior, shifting from one to the other according to their environment. A dog’s status is regularly influenced by the presence of other animals and people, as well as other environmental factors. For example, an adult dog in a room full of puppies would most likely be dominant over the younger and less experienced dogs and would thereby have greater access to resources. Surrounded by other adult dogs in a park, this dog may behave more submissively in

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