There are dog trainers, then there are dog trainers. Which would you prefer.

Firstly let me say I do not profess to know everything, despite what a professional dog trainer accused me off sarcastically the other day. I am studying dog behaviour and I do train people and their dogs at our local all breed dog club. Having said that, let me relate a tail of woe. A person I work with was telling me the problems he ad his girlfriend are having with their 2 year old desexed German Shephard. Some of the problems were the dogalways pulls, it becomes excited and lunges to get to other dogs. It goes ballistic when in the car and sees pedestrians or cyclists. I was asked if I would come to meet his girlfriend and the dog which I agreed to.

So yesterday after work I went to his house. I was almost knocked on my you know what by this German Shepherd who was just excited to meet a new person (who also had lots of dog smells on him) I met the girl friend. To start with we sat over a coffee and talked about the history whilst the dog just walked around, getting pats and affectionate tones from anyone there who would give it to her. And this is where the despair hit me.

I found out she is taking classess froma so called professional trainer. His answer to the pulling was to use a prong collar and apparently thats as good as its going to get. The excitement this girl dispalyed to other dogs was in his opinion due to aggression in the german shepherd. During classes, he does not let the dog socialise at all and keeps them sperate. The girl I was talking to could be seen to becoming more distressed as she spoke. "I just want to be able to enjoy my dog and go for walks without having my arms pulled out of their sockets" she said to me.

So I told her, I dont see any reason for the prong collar to be used. I went on and explained about aversives and alternate methods. "But I tried all of them" was her reply. And the trainer said she is just one of those dogs. I then moved onto the aggression. I dont think this dog is aggressive, more of a case just needs to learn manners and calm down. Both are doable. I pointed out if the dog was aggressive, I wouldn't be sitting near it or close to her owner's because a) the dog would probably have a go at me, b) fixing it is out of my experience at this time and I would refer her on and c) (most improtanly) I am a chicken and do not like pain or hospitals so I would not put myself in a psoition that would expose me to them. I could see her interest and curiosity raising the more I talked and then it was time to put the words into action.

We put a martingale collar on the dog and I grabbed a handful of treats and went into the rear yard. As soon as I went to move the dog was out in front with a powerful leap. "That is what she is always like" the girl sighed. Give it time was my reply and we continued to stop then move off. The slightest improvement was rewarded with the treat and marking the behaviour. In no time at all, we were walking about a dozen paces on a loose leash with the dog by my side. The girl and her boyfriend were gobsmacked to say the least. I also pointed out that the dog would learn quickly as she appeared eager to please and quite intelligent. So then we talked about training and incorporating play. The same was for the sit. I would get a sit and as I lowered my hand to give the dog a reward, it would lunge at my hand to get the reward. (Obviously this failed for the dog) but when she remained seated with four on the floor, she got the reward. It didn't take her long to work out what was acceptable and what wasn't, what would get her a treat and what wouldn't.

I left them with plenty to think about I believe. I also told her to give some serious thought to her current trainer. If she isn't happy with his ways, the results or just has a bad feeling, then she should change trainers.

Dog training is an unregulated industry and anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. No matter if its a private trainer, all breed or breed specific dog club, talk to them about training and the methods they implore. There has been massive jumps in understanding animal behaviour and training in the past 15 years. Theories have changed. Positive reinforcement is backed by science. (If you are into that geek stuff like I am, there are plenty of good articles published by respective trainers, vets and behaviourlists on the net)

If a trainer starts blaming the dog, calling it aggressive and using devices such as prong collars, it may very well be they have a limited tool box that they can draw upon. Get a second opinion. Having said this though, be aware of those I refer to as zealot "force free" or positive reinforcement trainers. Those that go too far and say you can't say no to a dog, or you shouldn't use muzzles or crates. These can be just as bad.

I firmly believe we have a moral obligation to look after our dogs and give them the best we can. The best environment and the best training.

You may dissagree with me, but this is just my opinion based upon my experiences. I was taught the old ways in both horses and dogs. I have been exposed to the more modern way in both and have been able to compare the results.

And at the end of the day, the main thing is that you and your dog are happy and having fun