Top Dog Academy

Training Theory

Top Dog methods are a progressive form of traditional dog training theories. Today, there is the belief that food is the strongest motivator in teaching a dog obedience tasks. This approach is really very impractical for the average pet owner or general public. Many times the line is crossed and food based training becomes a bribe. For show training or to begin a complicated task in service work, the use of food may be more practical, but not always necessary. However, when taking your dog for a walk, food often falls short of what you need to stay in control.

Training or behavioral modification should be based on consistency, repetition, and an emphasis on praise and interaction with voice and body language. This is the way dogs interact with each other and therefore a sound approach to long term success. It’s a more personal approach as well. Today, “all positive” attitudes for training really don't give lasting solutions for real problems or truly aggressive dogs. Corrections that are done properly will simply let a dog know they are wrong. The level at which you take the correction is of utmost importance. Corrections aren't to be enforced due to frustration or anger and should never be abusive. Showing your dog he is wrong can be done through over emphasis in tone and body language, and being insistent about your desired outcome. Your dog must know that he is wrong for a change in behavior to begin. Ignoring bad habits does not necessarily mean they will go away. The flip side of this, the reward, is your personal interaction with your dog. “Gooood Boy!” with lots of emphasis, can be your most rewarding motivation.

It takes conditioning and time to build a bond with your dog. Trust and respect must be earned, not forced. Timing is also an important communication tool. Right now is all that matters to a dog. Five seconds ago is the past and five seconds from now is the future. If you cannot make your point in the present, you cannot communicate with your dog. Owners must be willing to be consistent during early stages of life to receive the benefits in the long term or after their dog has matured.

Clickers seem very complicated and detached for pet training. There are too many steps to keep up with and can confuse the owner. This method also avoids hands-on contact during the teaching phase, which is a primary factor in gaining trust with your dog. Furthermore, I've never had anyone show me the step for weaning away from the clicker. If you pay close attention to clicker advocates, you will also notice that they refer only to “animal behavior” not necessarily dog behavior. Are we to expect our dogs to relate to training the same way a dolphin or chicken will?

Our society today seems to look for the quick fix on everything. Immediate gratification is not always the best reward for lifelong results. Just as with raising children, structure, respect, fairness and discipline are totally necessary for long term success in having a balanced and well trained pet.

For more information or questions regarding this subject email Drake personally at drake@topdogonline.com.