a matter of opinion_dog whisperer or old yeller

8/3/2019 A Matter of Opinion_Dog Whisperer or Old Yeller

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Dog Whispereror Old Yeller?

The term whispererconjures an imageof connection with the object of the

whisperers attention and, most of all, ofbenevolence, so it is disappointing that the termtoday has become associated with the use ofphysical and psychological force in dog training.

As veterinarians, we are faced with a dilemma whenit comes to changing the behavior of our patients.Owners might seek advice directly from us but maybe more likely to obtain information from othersources.1The variety of training techniques and recom-

mendations available on the Internet, on television, inbooks, and by word of mouth are not always based in sci-ence.2 In contrast, appropriate training methods not onlyconsider issues of welfare and ethical handling but alsomake use of the science of learning.

A Matter of Opinion / NAVC Clinicians Brief / September 2011 ..........................................................................................................................................................77

Ilana R. Reisner, DVM, PhD,

Diplomate ACVB

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

C A N I N E B E H A V I O R / T R A I N I N G

A Matter of Opinion is a

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A M a t t e r o f O p i n i o n

CONT INUES


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It is difficult to know what training methods

have been used by pet owners unless we specifi-

cally ask them. Herron and coworkers utilized a

survey to log both aversive and nonaversive

training methods used in dogs.1 Most of the

interventions had been recommended by a local

trainer, by self, or from a television program,

again indicating that pet owners often seek

information about training from nonveterinary

sources. In this study, dogs that had been pre-

sented for aggression to familiar people (a

category of misbehaving dogs that might be

subjected to corrections with some frequency)

were significantly more likely to respond

aggressively to confrontational methods such asthe alpha roll or dominance down. Shock

collars, which are widely available and com-

monly used, have been linked to stress and pain

and have long-term consequences, even in situ-

ations that do not involve shock.3,4

A M a t t e r o f O p i n i o n C O N T I N U E D

Because inappropriate training methods may

increase the risk for biting, anxiety, and other

behavior problems, thereby increasing the poten-

tial for relinquishment or euthanasia of pets,5

there are compelling reasons to address the issue

of training methods with veterinary clients.

PUNISHMENT & FLOODING

At least one widely available resource emphasizes

changing dog behavior through a combination of

punishment and flooding.6 While either might

be useful in specific, carefully applied settings,

punishment and flooding are not recommended

for pet owners as a first intervention for behavior

problems.1

In learning terms, punishment is any stimulus

change that reduces the probability of occurrence

of the behavior preceding it. For purposes of this

column, punishment refers to positive punish-

ment, that is, when an aversive stimulus is

applied to the animal, in contrast to negative

punishment, which refers to the removal of a

desirable stimulus.

From a popular viewpoint (see A ClockworkOrange), floodingis a conditioning technique that

forces the exposure of individuals to a source of

fear or arousal without allowing escape from the

stimulus. While flooding can be a useful tool in

select circumstances and when applied by trained

professionals, it is promulgated to pet owners

as the answer to everyday fears when a more

78 ..........................................................................................................................................................NAVC Clinicians Brief / September 2011 / A Matter of Opinion

G As veterinarians, we have a professional responsibility

to promote standards of humane care, including behavior

modification and training.

G Confrontational training is associated with increased

anxiety, aggression, and deterioration of the familypet

relationship.7 When intervention fails or results in

worsening of the problem, euthanasia or relinquishment

may be the next course of action.5

A ClockworkOrange

If you have

seen the

movie or read

the book, A Clockwork

Orange, you are familiar with

its popular interpretation of

floodingforced exposure to

stimuli that cause a response

of fear or arousal. This

fictional Ludovico technique

involved treating the patient

with an emetic and then

exposing the patient to

previously pleasurable

stimuli in a manner that

created aversion to those

stimuli. The effectiveness

of this approach is

questionable.

Why Approach

Clients About

Their Pets

Behavior?


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graduated program of desensitization and coun-

terconditioning might sufficeand would almost

certainly be more humane.

WHY NOT USE PUNISHMENT &

FLOODING?

Why is it inadvisable for clients to use punish-

ment or flooding? First, punishment must be

sufficiently aversive to be effective. Pain, for

example, is universally aversive, while saying No

is almost never so. Second, it must be applied

every time the behavior arises and, finally, it must

occur during or immediately after the behavior

occurs.

The two latter conditions are difficult for dog

owners to apply consistently, but the first condi-

tion involves the highest risk for both the dog

and the trainer. Furthermore, punishment-based

training has been associated with an increased

incidence of problem behaviors.7

The other technique in question, flooding, may

place the dog (and owner) in a situation of high

risk because the stimulus being forced on the dog

is often frightening. Although flooding may beused effectively in some situations, it requires the

elicitation of fear (with the objective of extin-

guishing it).

A Matter of Opinion / NAVC Clinicians Brief / September 2011 ..........................................................................................................................................................79

G The dogs handler or other family members,

including children, may be at risk for injury if

aversive training methods are continued.

G Inappropriate or incomplete advice about

behavior modification may ultimately lead to

dog-bite liability for owners or even the per-

son providing advice to them.13

THE DOMINANCE THEORY

The concept of canine dominance is given some

credence by the popular media and, unfortu-

nately, frustrated (but well-meaning) dog owners

are easily convinced of its truth.8,9 It is now clear,

however, that much of dominance theory is

based on incorrect conclusions drawn from the

behavior of captive wolves living in unnatural

conditions and groups.10

Similarly, aversive training methods are often

rooted in the assumption that, given free reign,

dogs will naturally try to dominate their human

owners unless they assert their own dominance to

control each dogs behavior.2,11 In fact, manycommon behavior problems in dogsaggression,

fearfulness, destructiveness, inappropriate elimi-

nation, excessive vocalization, and inappropriate

attention-seekingare associated not with domi-

nance but with anxiety.12 Observing and video-

taping these dogs or asking owners some simple

questions will frequently reveal conflict signals

(eg, yawning, lip-licking) and anxious or ambiva-

lent posturing. Aggressive dogs or those whose

behavior might appear confident often show fear

during thunderstorms, confinement, or in othercontexts, supporting the diagnosis of an underly-

ing generalized anxiety.

CONT INUES


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One of the more important concepts veterinari-

ans can teach clients is that short-term inhibition

of behavior does not indicate that the underlying

motivation has changed. Owners who simply

understand that undesirable behavior may stem

from a state of worry are less likely to respond

with punishment or rough handling. Moreover,

responding harshly to a dogs inappropriate

behavior can increase its fear and reactivity and

associate that fear with the owner, further

increasing the dogs reactivity in the future.

SHOULDNT OWNERS HAVE CONTROL?

It is possible, perhaps easier, to have a well-trained and well-behaved companion dog with-

out asserting dominance. People who live with

dogs need and want to have some control over

their behavior and activitysome degree of con-

trol is what makes our shared lives work. There

is a difference, however, between controlling an

animals behavior through training (with some

accommodation for its needs) and controlling it

through confrontational handling. Controlling

A M a t t e r o f O p i n i o n C O N T I N U E D

behavior through training is more effective

because the interactions between owner and dog

do not elicit fear. Furthermore, owners them-

selves are likely to find it easier and more gratify-

ing to use humane training methods; they often

express relief when reassured that harsh training

is not recommended.

THE CHOICE IS SIMPLE

As animal professionals, we have an obligation to

first do no harm. We have an opportunity to

correct the misinformation about training meth-

ods and to support the clients bond with the

dog. Taking the time to discuss training methodscan enrich the veterinarianclientpet relation-

ship of trust and safety, leading to a greater

chance of training success and keeping the dog

for life.

80 ..........................................................................................................................................................NAVC Clinicians Brief / September 2011 / A Matter of Opinion

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