(no subject)
Yesterday, Stitch and I attended puppy class at Petsmart. One might wonder why I, a former Petsmart trainer myself, would pay to take one of their classes. Mostly for socialization. Stitch isn't timid, but can be described as shy around new people and dogs. Getting out every week will be good for him.
The other reason is I shamelessly want to show off. (Oh, come on. You would do the same thing.) However, I might've been doing a bit TOO well because the instructor picked up pretty quick that I was either a trainer myself, or had taken a few classes. I was forced to "fess up" after Stitch showed off his "Watch me" and "Sit" perfectly.
One small gripe: I had to force myself to bite my tongue and not say anything after the instructor advised squirting a dog in the face with a water bottle to stop him from barking. I'm disappointed that these old school techniques are still being advised even in classes that are supposed to be purely positive reinforcement. She also told the students that if you say 'Sit' several times and the dog is not responding, to force it into a sit by pushing its hindquarters down, cause its just "being a brat" at that point. Again, I had to bite my tongue. I also noticed that her dog, a lovely Golden Retriever, was very well behaved in class, but had his tail tucked beneath him when she walked him around the store, and shied away when I went to pet him. Now, he could just be a nervous dog, but she's had him since puppyhood, so I can't help but wonder ...
I don't want to step on another trainer's toes, and will not say anything in class, but I wish trainers--trainers whom people trust to help their dogs--would try to improve their teaching style and educate themselves better. I never stopped reading the newest training books when I worked at Petsmart. From Jean Donaldson 'The Culture Clash,' to Emma Parson's "Click to Calm; Healing the Aggressive Dog," I was always looking for the best ways to gently train a dog to do what you want. Before I discovered clicker training, I trained my dogs using the old school compulsion techniques, because at the time that was all I knew. However, once I read a bit and started positive reinforcement, I discovered how unnecessary it was to use punishment on a dog, and how it actually hurt the process. I've changed and improved my techniques over time; I wish other trainers would do the same.
The other reason is I shamelessly want to show off. (Oh, come on. You would do the same thing.) However, I might've been doing a bit TOO well because the instructor picked up pretty quick that I was either a trainer myself, or had taken a few classes. I was forced to "fess up" after Stitch showed off his "Watch me" and "Sit" perfectly.
One small gripe: I had to force myself to bite my tongue and not say anything after the instructor advised squirting a dog in the face with a water bottle to stop him from barking. I'm disappointed that these old school techniques are still being advised even in classes that are supposed to be purely positive reinforcement. She also told the students that if you say 'Sit' several times and the dog is not responding, to force it into a sit by pushing its hindquarters down, cause its just "being a brat" at that point. Again, I had to bite my tongue. I also noticed that her dog, a lovely Golden Retriever, was very well behaved in class, but had his tail tucked beneath him when she walked him around the store, and shied away when I went to pet him. Now, he could just be a nervous dog, but she's had him since puppyhood, so I can't help but wonder ...
I don't want to step on another trainer's toes, and will not say anything in class, but I wish trainers--trainers whom people trust to help their dogs--would try to improve their teaching style and educate themselves better. I never stopped reading the newest training books when I worked at Petsmart. From Jean Donaldson 'The Culture Clash,' to Emma Parson's "Click to Calm; Healing the Aggressive Dog," I was always looking for the best ways to gently train a dog to do what you want. Before I discovered clicker training, I trained my dogs using the old school compulsion techniques, because at the time that was all I knew. However, once I read a bit and started positive reinforcement, I discovered how unnecessary it was to use punishment on a dog, and how it actually hurt the process. I've changed and improved my techniques over time; I wish other trainers would do the same.