the challenges of the modern dog trainer

8/13/2019 The Challenges of the Modern Dog Trainer

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The challenges of the modern dog trainer APDT 2013Posted onOctober 29, 2013 byJennifer Cattet Ph.D.

Is there any other profession that requires such a diversity of talents as dog trainer ? We become a dogtrainer because of our passion for dogs, but the reality can be very different than the expectations. As adog trainer, chances are, youll teach more people than youll ever train dogs! Dog trainers need to have

good training technique, along with a keen understanding of dog behavior and applied behavior analysis.

But without the ability to communicate and teach those concepts clearly while offering compassionatesupport and practical solutions to the dog guardians who hire us, results are limited, if not nil. As the19th convention of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) closes its doors, celebrating 20years of supporting dog trainers across the world, one thing is clear, dog training has become, over theyears, an artful combination of animal science, human psychology, effective business practices andtechnology. The APDT provides ongoing education to trainers who strive to stay up to date with the latestinformation. Their annual conference is an opportunity to hear from the most influential dog professionalsin the world, network with other trainers and find out about the new products on the market. As abehavior consultant forSmart Animal Training Systems, along with our team, I was presentingPetTutor(tm), a new remote training system, for the very first time at the APDT trade show. While there, wealso gained insights into the current advances of this challenging profession and I was struck with howcomplex it had become. Heres a quick overview of this incredible event.

Ken Ramirez APDT 2013

Ken Ramirez,keynote speaker, reminded us right from the beginning: dog training is very much a people

job! No matter what level of anxiety or fear the dog may be experiencing, hell never be the one to pickup the phone and call the trainer. The dogs guardian is the one calling, the one paying the bill and theone who will be implementing most of the training or behavior modification protocols. Without the rightmessage, the right marketing strategy, the right website (Chris Lee)and the right services catered to the

guardians needs, we may never even get a chance to help at all, as pointed outVeronica Boutelle andGinaPhairasfromDog-Tec. And while we want to assist the dogs, ultimately, our clients are the dogsguardians. Without their trust and willingness to make changes, nothing is possible. So developing good

people skills is at the core of being an efficient and successful trainer.

Guardians come with their own set of ideas and expectations and often need a little convincing beforethey buy into better approaches to their canine problem. Many are looking for quick fixes and easy

solutions, have unrealistic expectations about what it takes to train a dog or treat problematic behaviors.Learning to increase owner compliance is an important skill for any dog trainer (Megan Armstrong). Wedevelop relationships with them, become their coach, their counselor and mentor through situations thatmay be difficult and emotionally charged. Protocols can be repetitious and sometimes very demandingsuch as with separation anxiety (Malena DeMartini-Price), and our chance of success depends in large part

on our ability to provide daily check ins and ongoing support to our client. In the worst of cases, when allother options have been exhausted and euthanasia may be the most humane solution, more than ever,

guardians need empathetic support and guidance to make the right decision for their four-leggedcompanion (Sarah Dykes). Speaking their language, understanding their position and struggles, andrespecting their perspective are critical. In addition, as demonstrated byTeoti Anderson,communicating
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ideas in a language that is both clear and grammatically correct are key elements for a successful workingrelationship with our clients.

As we establish a supportive and positive working relationship with our clients within the framework of acollaborative learning environment (Imbi Kiiss), we can begin to affect change in the dogs behavior.

Contemporary dog training however, has very little in common with how we used to work just 30 yearsago. Todays dog trainers, regardless of their educational background, have to be able to keep up with thewealth of scientific studies on canine behavior and accurately present it to their clients (Julie Hecht). Howdoes spaying or neutering affect the dogs behavior? How accurate are we at assessing a dogs breed?

How can bird dog training techniques help when rehabilitating shelter dogs? Do spayed and neutered dogssniff differently? Study after study, we gain a little more insight into the canine world, helping us definebetter training and behavior modification protocols but also address welfare and management questions.In the Animal Behavior Journal alone, there are over 65 articles related to domesticated dogs (LaureneVon Klan).Cognition (Brian Hare)and neuroscience (Simon Gadbois)now influence the way trainers workwith dogs. Over the next few years, as we gain awareness of how our canines analyze, problem solve andinterpret the information presented to them, we should expect even more improvement in how we

communicate and teach our canine partners.

Entrenched in science, dog training has become an ever-evolving profession, updating and creating new

training techniques and behavior modification protocols as new data becomes available. Ive been trainingfor so long that Ive been able to learn gradually as new information came out, but I can imagine that forbeginner trainers, the sheer volume of information to digest and the diversity of skills to master could bequite overwhelming. Even the teaching of basic skills has made progress, like Loose leash walking (GailFisher), crate training (Casey Newton)or choice-based puppy classes (Grisha Stewart), impulse control(Virginia Dare), total recalls or boom-a-rang dog (Lauren Fox). Dog trainers need to know how to workwith dogs when they stop taking food or when another reinforcer may be more rewarding (KimberlyWilson). Many practice their skills on other species, like chickens, that are far less forgiving than dogs(Terry Ryan). A chicken will provide immediate feedback if our timing is off, if our criteria is unclear and ifour delivery is sloppy.

Incorporating human psychology into our practice, we can also improve how we present our classes andwhat formats we can offer. APDT has developed a program,C.L.A.S.S. that can be combined to anytraining curriculum, setting standards for dog training classes of all levels (Don Hanson). This programpromotes good practices and allows for more marketing opportunities. We learn how to incorporate

interactive exercises in our classes that include all members of a family (Allan Bauman) or offercommunity-based or non-sequential training classes, where clients can drop-in on an as needed basis.Such classes have shown to reach more dogs, reducing their chances of being relinquished (Lisa

McClusky). Trainers may also learn how to offer curriculums based on outdoor adventures, like Xtremehiking, nighttime or camping and real world group classes (Lauren fox).

Brian Hare APDT 2013

Many people are looking for more than basic obedience training and need help with all sorts of behaviorissues. How effective we can be at treating those issues often has critical implications for the welfare ofthe dog. Clients can be desperate for solutions and although the training protocols make perfect sense tothe professional trainer, they can be challenging for the average person. It becomes essential for the

trainer to implement strategies that will increase the odds of the guardians to comply with the treatment,(Irith Bloom). Dealing with excessive barking (Irith Bloom), helping dogs gain more confidence (Mikkel
http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/imbi-kiiss/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/imbi-kiiss/http://www.believermag.com/issues/200805/?read=interview_hechthttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/laurene-von-klan/1/6b0/31bhttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/laurene-von-klan/1/6b0/31bhttp://brianhare.net/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/simon-gadbois/http://www.puppyworks.com/speaker/fisher.htmlhttp://www.puppyworks.com/speaker/fisher.htmlhttp://wonder-puppy.com/trainers/casey-newton/http://functionalrewards.com/about-us/about-grisha/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/virginia-broitman/http://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_fox.aspxhttp://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_wilson2.aspxhttp://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_wilson2.aspxhttp://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/terry-ryan/http://www.mydoghasclass.com/http://www.apdt.com/about/bod/treasurer/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/allan-bauman/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/lisa-mccluskey/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/lisa-mccluskey/http://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_fox.aspxhttp://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/irith-bloom/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/irith-bloom/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/mikkel-becker/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/mikkel-becker/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/irith-bloom/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/irith-bloom/http://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_fox.aspxhttp://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/lisa-mccluskey/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/lisa-mccluskey/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/allan-bauman/http://www.apdt.com/about/bod/treasurer/http://www.mydoghasclass.com/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/terry-ryan/http://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_wilson2.aspxhttp://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_wilson2.aspxhttp://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_fox.aspxhttp://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/virginia-broitman/http://functionalrewards.com/about-us/about-grisha/http://wonder-puppy.com/trainers/casey-newton/http://www.puppyworks.com/speaker/fisher.htmlhttp://www.puppyworks.com/speaker/fisher.htmlhttp://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/simon-gadbois/http://brianhare.net/http://www.linkedin.com/pub/laurene-von-klan/1/6b0/31bhttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/laurene-von-klan/1/6b0/31bhttp://www.believermag.com/issues/200805/?read=interview_hechthttp://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/imbi-kiiss/


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Becker), mastering the art of Behavior Adjustment Training(BAT) for reactive dogs (Grisha Stewart),Knowing how to recognize and deal with prey drive (Ken McCort), identifying appropriate play patterns(Nicole Wilde), assess and treat separation anxiety (Malena DeMartini-Price), provide dog reactive classesand preventing dog bites (Colleen Pelar), and recognizing when dogs are stressed and why they fail toperform (Denise Fenzi)are all tools for trainers to work with their clients.

Modern dog training is an artful alliance between science, good procedures and technique, effectiveteaching, savvy business decisions and technology. Dog training has come a long way and asIanDunbar pointed out, has become a friendlier place for our four-legged companions. More progress is still

needed however when it comes to our training protocols where many of us still dont quantify time andtrials to criterion. We also need to put more effort into phasing out the training tools like the leashes,collars or treats. Thats when technology can help. We now have access to all sorts of apps, differentrecorded sounds, video cameras, laptop computers and other tools to assist us. Animal training isbecoming more and more high tech with new products offering additional options to work and interactwith our clients.Pet Tutor,a new remote training device falls in this category of products and will soonopen new ways to train our dogs and help with behavior modification protocols or provide enrichment

opportunities, alleviating boredom and anxiety.

On and on, dog trainers today have many techniques to learn from, many options to specialize in, many

tools to work with and many talented and savvy mentors to learn from. And with the demands of thischallenging profession, also come the rewards. Dog trainers around the world affect lives, enhance thechances of dogs to stay in their families, improve the relationships between guardians and their furrycompanions, offer support and assistance to new parents or to families with young children (Kate Anders),provide therapy and service dogs to those who need them (Aubrey Fine,Mary McNeight)and offer hopesfor rehabilitation to incarcerated man and women (Virginia Dare). Challenging, stimulating, physically andemotionally demanding, dog training is not for the faint of heart, the lazy or the phlegmatic! Thanks for allof those who contributed to bringing us together and putting on such a great conference!

Jennifer Cattet Ph.D.
http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/mikkel-becker/http://functionalrewards.com/http://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_stewart.aspxhttp://www.kenmccort.com/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/nicole-wilde/https://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/malena-demartini-price/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/colleen-pelar/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/denise-fenzi/http://www.apdt.com/about/bod/memb05.aspxhttp://www.apdt.com/about/bod/memb05.aspxhttp://www.smartanimaltraining.com/http://www.prettygooddog.com/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/aubrey-fine/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/mary-mcneight/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/virginia-broitman/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/virginia-broitman/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/mary-mcneight/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/aubrey-fine/http://www.prettygooddog.com/http://www.smartanimaltraining.com/http://www.apdt.com/about/bod/memb05.aspxhttp://www.apdt.com/about/bod/memb05.aspxhttp://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/denise-fenzi/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/colleen-pelar/https://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/malena-demartini-price/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/nicole-wilde/http://www.kenmccort.com/http://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_stewart.aspxhttp://functionalrewards.com/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/mikkel-becker/


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the challenges of the modern dog trainer

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