On Dog Training.

[draggonlaady]

And really, applicable to any kind of training. This article is a fairly long-winded way of saying that beating a dog into submission is not the same as training. All training should be based on rewarding desirable behavior while discouraging undesirable behavior (without scaring the life out of the trainee). I'm posting it, long-winded or not, because of the particular discussion of some of Cesar Millan's techniques, which I have parroted at me constantly at work.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2007250,00.html

It is very very frustrating having to explain to people who refuse to listen to me, because I am "only a veterinarian, not a dog trainer" that not all problems (and indeed, not even many problems) are dominance based, and won't be resolved by dominating.

Comments

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

Well, I did get my dog to stop scamming food off tables and plates by scaring the living hell out of him. I think he thinks I'll kill him if he ever tries it again.

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

And one of the very few places where dominance can be an issue is... resource distribution.

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

Gggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

Don't try to dominate me, missy. I deal with recalcitrant animals ALL DAY EVERY DAY. :P