Experts Say Dominance-Based Dog Training Techniques Made Popular by Television Shows Can Contribute to Dog Bites
As Dog Bite Prevention week is being recognized across the United States, experts agree that one of the contributing factors to the 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year may be owners mimicking what they see on T.V.
Dr. Jennie Jamtgaard, an applied animal behavior consultant and behavior instructor at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences gives an example.
"I saw an Australian Cattledog mix with severe aggression (lunging, growling, barking) directed at other dogs whenever they came into view, even hundreds of feet away. The dog was fine with people and had never been aggressive to people before. The owners watched the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan regularly and dealt with the dog in a completely punishment-based way. They repeatedly tried to physically subdue the dog whenever it was aggressive. Finally, at PetSmart, the dog growled and lunged, and when the female owner tried to force the dog down, she was bitten on the arm. That was when they called me."
Dr. Kathy Meyer, president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), describes a case she saw.
Last year I consulted with an owner who was having trouble with his Shar-Pei becoming aggressive toward the dog-walker when on walks. The owner had no trouble with his dog on-lead outdoors, but the walker complained of escalating aggression. Upon further discussion, it was discovered that the walker claimed he was utilizing some methods demonstrated by Cesar Millan on the Dog Whisperer. Instead of walking the dog on a loose lead, he would place a choke collar high up on the dog's neck, where it is the most painful and can shut off the airway. When the dog didn't respond to a command, he would punish the dog by tightening the collar, even lifting the dog's front feet off of the ground. As the punishment escalated, the dog began to growl, snarl, and snap at the walker. The walker even began to take a tennis racket on walks to try to subdue the dog when he became aggressive, a technique he saw on Millan's televised show. My advice was simple. Find another dog-walker who knew how to calmly walk the dog on a loose lead and did not try to intimidate him. A new walker was introduced and the dog continues to do well, with no aggression on walks.
Dr. John Ciribassi, past-president of the AVSAB explains why punishment can cause aggression.
"A typical scenario is a client with a 3 year old dog who was presented because of aggression directed at strangers that the dog meets either on walks or when guests come to the home. Initially the dog barks at people as they pass and backs away if approached, indicating that the aggression is due to fear. The owner is referred to a trainer or watches a show that demonstrates the use of choke chain or pinch collar and verbal or physical corrections. Because the dog now feels pain when it encounters the person it fears, the aggression escalates. As a result, now the dog lunges, snaps, and bites in situations where it used to bark and back away. In some cases the dog is so aroused it learns to redirect its aggression towards humans."
Bite Incidences Come as No Surprise
Unfortunately, these bite incidences are not surprising. According to a recent veterinary study published in The Journal of Applied Animal Behavior (2009), if you're aggressive to your dog, your dog will be aggressive, too.
Says Meghan Herron, DVM, lead author of the study, "Our study demonstrated that many confrontational training methods, whether staring down dogs, striking them, or intimidating them with physical manipulation such as alpha rolls [holding dogs on their back], do little to correct improper behavior and can elicit aggressive responses."
These techniques are pervasive in many T.V. shows and some popular books. For instance, The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan routinely demonstrates alpha rolls, dominance downs and forced exposure to things that cause fear or aggression, and has depicted Millan restraining dogs or performing physical corrections in order to take valued possessions away from them.
And like their previous bestselling books, Divine Canine by the Monks of New Skete focuses on correcting bad behaviors using choke chain and pinch collar corrections rather than proven non-aversive techniques.
These sources attribute undesirable or aggressive behavior in dogs to the dog's striving to gain social dominance or to a lack of dominance displayed by the owner. Advocates of this theory therefore suggest owners establish an "alpha" or pack-leader role.
But according to the AVSAB position statement on The Use of Dominance Theory in Animal Behavior Modification, undesirable behaviors are most frequently due to inadvertent rewarding of undesirable behaviors and lack of consistent rewarding of desirable behaviors.
Herron adds, "Studies on canine aggression in the last decade have shown that canine aggression and other behavior problems are more frequently a result of fear (self-defense) or underlying anxiety problems. Aversive techniques can elicit an aggressive response in dogs because they can increase the fear and arousal in the dog, especially in those that are already defensive." Indeed the AVSAB position statement and guidelines on the Use of Punishment in Animal Behavior Modification backs her up.
What Methods Can Be Used Instead?
Says E. Kathy Meyer, AVSAB president, " Behavior modification and training should focus on the scientifically sound approach of reinforcing desirable behaviors such as focusing on the owner and removing rewards for undesirable behaviors."
She emphasizes that modification also involves changing the dog's underlying emotional state. This combination of scientifically proven non-confrontational techniques works well for aggressive dogs. (See reward-based behavior modification of a fear aggressive dog and a dog that is aggressive for toenail trims.)
So what about the Australian Cattledog we met at the beginning of this post?
Says Jamtgaard about her case,
The Australian Cattledog improved dramatically at our consultation, being calm during situations the owners had never witnessed before, such as the neighbor dogs barking at her only a few feet away. I think seeing what just a few minutes of work could accomplish by changing approach gave them the hope that it could work.Within 4-6 weeks they began to be able to go on normal walks with her, with dogs at normal distances. They feel so good that they can treat her differently (more kindly). The owner now competes with her dog and can be in close contact with other dogs they meet during contests and on the street, whereas before, the dog was reactive from over a hundred feet.
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If you are looking for evidence against punishment based training or why the dominace theory is not valid for humandog interactions I recommend you read the 2 following books:
Dog Behavior, Cognition, and Evolution - Adam Miklosi, 2008
Wolves: Behavior, Ecology and Conservation - David Mech, 2007
If you read anything recently published by David Mech you will see that he has redefined the term for "alpha" wolf which then completely negates the theory for dogs in the context of human relationships.
Other references which discuss pitfalls of punishment when used in training (i.e. remote controlled-shock collars, and forced downs which we have all seen Mr. Millan use) include:
Schilder, M.B.H., van der Borg, J.A.M., 2004. Training dogs with help of the shock collar--short and long term behavioural effects. AABS. 85, 319-334.
Schalke, E., et al., 2007. Clinical signs caused by the use of electric training collars on dogs in everyday life situations. AABS. 106, 369-380.
Hiby, E.F., et al., 2004. Dog training methods--their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Anim. Welfare. 13, 63-69.
Blackwell, E.J., et al, 2007. The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behaviour problems in a population of domestic dogs. Proceedings of the 6th IVBM. Brescia, Italy: 51-52.
Beerda, B., et al, 1998. Behavioral, saliva cortisol and heart rate responses to different types of stimuli in dogs. AABS. 58, 365-381.
Megan, excellent comment 8-)
Meghan....
I asked Dr. Yin to provide a peer-reviewed scientific study disproving dominance as an effective tool in treating dog behavior issues. Your reply is not helpful in this regard.
1. A book is not a peer-reviewed scientific study. It is the author's position.
2. Several of the studies you mention are about e-collars, not about domiance and whether it is an effective tool.
3. Other studies you mention are simply surveys of dog owners -- which are no more helpful than a survey that asks car owners whether they can repair their own car.
In the end, for all of the mention of "science," I still don't see where science has said what you claim it says.........
I don't know what you mean. What is your definition of "dominance " as a tool? We are a dominant species as I mentioned earlier. Are you talking about keeping your emotions in check, knowing how to use mildly threatening behavior with body language or touch to keep the dog on guard with the goal of the dog avoiding doing what you don't like? Are you talking about not letting dogs walk out of doors first, not letting them walk ahead of their people on leash? Always eating first? Or are you talking about the ability and willingness to shake down, physically restrain, poke and hiss, psychologically intimidate, asphyxiate with a collar, or alpha roll a dog? All of the above? None of the above?
Dominance in domestic dogs—useful construct or bad habit?
John W.S. Bradshaw, Emily J. Blackwell, Rachel A. Casey
http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/PIIS1558787808001159/abstract
From the text:
"In fact, the patterns of interactions between dogs and owners appear to fit better into the model where prior experience and context are the major determinants of subsequent response. Hence, where a dog is anxious about the approach of an owner in a particular context (perhaps because the owner has previously forced the dog into an “alpha roll”), it may show appeasement, avoidance, or aggression to avoid the perceived threat. Since the first 2 are unsuccessful when owners persist in approaching and pulling their pet out from its hiding place, and the latter is successful, even if only momentarily, it is the aggressive response that is reinforced. Over subsequent encounters, if this response is consistently successful, the dog will become more confident in showing this behavior in that specific context. Similar associations can be used to explain how behavior that originates as defensive can metamorphose into the type of offensive behavior that is commonly categorized as “dominant.” "
From the conclusion:
"It is therefore doubtful whether the concept of “dominance” can make any useful contribution to explaining dog–dog aggression, and it is therefore even less likely to be applicable to aggression directed at humans, given the added complexities of interspecies communication. "
Wait, you are saying that surveys of dog owners are not helpful? Isn't that what you are putting forth as evidence that Cesar's methods work? "Thousands" of dog owners claim that Cesar's methods helped their dog? All subjective. I've seen a good percentage of those "thousands" and I can tell you that the methods did not help their dogs.
The scientific definition of dominance is the status or outcome, how one achieves that outcome is the tool. Cesar doesn't "use" dominance, he uses positive punishment and negative reinforcement as his tools and calls the outcome dominance.
The studies which have been provided to you are about the use of aversive or punishment-based methods, which is what Cesar uses the vast majority of the time.
For all of your calls for scientific evidence, you seem to ignore a lot of what has been provided to you. I'm sure it doesn't sell the "Dog Whisperer Aroma Racquet" and other products, but it is all hard evidence that the methods used on your show are dangerous and have a very high risk of serious fallout.
To use your car analogy, just because I can run red lights 9/10 times and not hit another car, does not make it safe to do so.
Fortunately, there is another show, "It's Me or the Dog" which does not have to post warnings about the methods used and which many dog owners are turning to more and more as they find Cesar's methods increasingly problematic.
See Sophia Yin's Profile
Mr. Milio:
I appreciate your comments. Part of understanding science and behavior is being able to understand the types of information and research that are pertinent. since we are talking about dominance probably the first issue is to define what dominance is. Bear with me and I will describe the progression of our understanding of dominance.
First, the definition of dominance:
In animal behavior, dominance is defined as a relationship between individuals that is established through force, aggression and submission in order to establish priority access to all desired resources (food, the opposite sex, preferred resting spots, etc). A relationship is not established until one animal consistently defers to another.
This is the definition that everyone studying social heirarchies and relationships—from macaques, to cattle, to sheep, to wolves, coyotes, etc are using. Many trainers who use the word don't know what it means because this information has not yet trickled down to the general public (more about that in next post). But anyone stating they are an expert in psychology (dog psychology, comparative animal psychology) or dog behavior and are proporting to use psychology and animal behavior in what they do, they should know this definition becuase it actually is important in understanding what animals in social groups do and how they behave. (more in next post).
See Sophia Yin's Profile
pt 3) So Dr. Herrons' references are appropriate. dominance involves use of something aversive to the dog (whether it's physically painful or just causes fear, or the dog just doesn't like it) in order to be the highest ranked. Punishment is the use of something aversive to stop a behavior. (e.g. stop aggression)
So any paper on punishment is appropriate--ask any researcher who studies dominance. there is 100s of research papers on punishment showing the side effects. Most was done around the 1960s and involved low level shock (sometimes higher levels). But studies continue across many species today (including humans) that use other aversives--including verbal. They define what makes punishment work and what the adverse effects are. if you want I can provide a long list here are several from way back in 1960s. but because you are not versed in psychology or science you would probably find a reason why such studies dont' pertain.
Azrin, N.H. 1960. Effects of punishment intensity during variable-interval reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 3:123-42.
Azrin, N.H., W.C. Holz, and D.F. Hake. 1963. Fixed-ratio punishment. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 6:141-48.
Azrin, N.H., H.B. Rubin, and R.R. Hutchinson. 1968. Biting attack by rats in response to aversive shock. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 11(5):633-39.
a distilling of the adverse effects is in the AVSAB punishment position statement at www.AVSABonline.org
Why does any method have to be all or nothing? I have owned dogs that responded well to the idea of me as pack leader and the "alpha roll" was perfectly understandable ( and not painful! You don't have be rough, just assertive) I have also had dogs who responded only to a more laid back, hands off approach. Use some common sense, people. There isn't anything that guaranteed to work all the time with every animal. If you're not willing to put the time in to see what works for you and your pet, then don't have pets.
Dr. Yin:
Can you identify any peer-reviewed studies that disprove dominance as an effective behavior tool? I don't believe any exist. Therefore, all the evidence you point to is basically anecdotal and nothing more.
You also misrepresent the work of Cesar Millan. He is specifically against punishing a dog for misbehaving. But he believes that bad behavior should be corrected by a calm, assertive pack leader.
Cesar uses positive reinforcement all the time -- interesting how his critics never recognize that. He is also called in to help the worst of the worst -- aggressive dogs that veterinary professionals often say should be put down or given doggie Prozac as the solution.
Cesar has helped thousnads and thousands of people with their dog's behavior and we have the letters and e-mails to confirm it. Also, the success rate of the 300+ cases on the "Dog Whisperer" series is about 80%.
It would be helpful if the debate on this issue was fact-based instead of waged from an emotional point of view.
Jim Milio
Executive Producer
"Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan"
Mr. Millo, the onus is on someone producing a TV show for public viewing to provide advice based on scientific research. It is extremely difficult for scientific research to DISprove anything (as I'm sure you know). So the question is, where is the peer-reviewed studies that show that dogs naturally live in packs, that they have a dominance hierarchy structure, that positions in the hierarchy affect behavior such as territorial aggression, fear aggression, or obedience to commands? Where is the documentation of the use of an "alpha roll" (a dominant animal forcing a subordinate animal onto its back) or bite to the neck to teach a behavior (other than "knock if off right now or the next bite will pierce skin")?
Cesar Millan uses negative reinforcement a lot - the removal of an aversive. He uses praise, which might be perceived as positive reinforcement (if it is something the dog desires), or could be a negative reinforcement marker (indicating that aversives have been avoided at this time). I understand that he occasionally uses food rewards, toy rewards, or the opportunity to engage in a fun activity, all of which can be used as positive reinforcers. All reinforcers (positive or negative) work by definition to increase behaviors, and all punishers (positive or negative) work by definition to decrease behaviors.
Our only onus at "Dog Whisperer" is to accurately display Cesar Millan's views on dog rehabilitation. He readily acknowledges that his way is not the only way.
Of course there is a disclaimer on the show. Cesar is applying what he believes is the most effective method based on the dog he is dealing with at that moment. Just because people may percieve that they have a similar issue with their own dog doesn't mean they should run out and mimic Cesar.
I used to produce a TV series called Rescue 911" that also had "do not try these techniques" disclaimers. Sometimes people ignored those disclaimers and performed the heimlich on someone who was choking or CPR on someone that had a heart attack. The result -- more than 600 lives were saved directly as a result of people watching the show. We certainly didn't encourage it...but it happened.
As I said earlier, countless thousands of people have improved their relationship with their dogs because of what they learned from Cesar -- even though we tell them to seek the advice of a local professional.
Humans *are* dominant over dogs. We control dogs' access to people, food, water, shelter, toys, medical care and reproduction. We far outweigh them, our brains are denser, we walk upright, drive cars, operate computers and we have thumbs. This implies that we are dominant but you'd never know that if you were a "Dog Whisperer" fan. How much more dominant can we be? According to your show, every interaction is a potential jihad by your dog. And you learned that where? National Geographic, an ostensibly a science-based channel. How disconcerting that your organization puts up a self-proclaimed expert with NO credentials or oversight whatsoever! What scientific entity promotes and defends an animal-based TV show representing an individual with no training or education in ethology, husbandry, biology, learning theory, no knowledge of underlying illnesses masked by odd or aggressive behaviors? As a dog trainer, I'm regularly called upon to spend an inordinate amount of time explaining that yes, poking your dog in the neck and hissing is unnecessary/no, alpha rolling does not contribute to your dog's understanding of you as "pack leader." Why wouldn't you show how experienced behaviorists or trainers address aggression? Why would physical corrections take the place of making sure the dog is not sick? Where is the emphasis on prevention and safety? Your viewers need information they can use that will not damage their relationships. They are not getting that despite your disclaimers. Rock on with the cult of personality. :-(
It's my understanding that all dogs that Cesar works with ARE taken to the vet to have physical ailment/disability ruled out. His emphasis on prevention and safety are on the show on a regular basis. So maybe you haven't watched very closely. What Cesar does with the dogs is what he's observed dogs to do in nature. I'll take Cesar's "lack of credentials" by learning from nature and showing over and over again that what he does works, over someone else's wall full of diplomas any day. Formal education is a good thing, but only if it's open to progressing and evolving. I think Cesar's Way would be a great addition to the current training.
Mr. Milio,
Where are the peer-reviewed studies that prove your 80% rate, or are anecdotes only acceptable to prove your argument, but not to disprove it?
Since you are so interested in science: punishment is a consequence that causes a behavior to occur with less frequency. Leash corrections, jabbing a dog with one's fingers, kicking a dog with one's heel are all intended to decrease the behavior, no? By definition, that is punishment.
Reinforcement INCREASES a behavior. What behaviors does Cesar increase? Do the dogs walk past other dogs without restraint? Do they look to their owners instead of barking or lunging at other dogs? No. So, by definition, Cesar is not reinforcing anything. This is basic operant conditioning, which most people learn in Psych 1a.
If you want fact-based arguments, when then did you and the other producers ignore the information provided to you by Purdue University after you sent them a copy of the tapes of the show? Was that not fact-based enough? Or did it just not fit into your marketing plan?
Mr. Milio, I encourage you to release all of the people who have appeared on your show from their confidentiality agreements. Let them speak out and share, unedited, the process and outcome. Let viewers hear from all of the cases, including those who have sought help from professional trainers after they appeared on the show. After all, if you have an 80% success rate, you have nothing to hide.
I've watched the Dog Whisper TV show with and without the drama music and their host's commentary, and can attest applying fear, intimidation and pain is not relationship building method or technique for canines or any creature.
We may be desperate for answers but we are intelligent human beings and should use our God-given brains and talent to be patient, compassionate animal teachers. There are ways to change an animal's behavior without touching the animal or increasing heart-rates.
Wouldn't it be more challenging to get the dog to perform a behavior without applying fear, pain and intimidation?
The reality is there will continue to be people in this world who abuse their children in the name of teaching them a lesson, and those same people will be the ones who will be attracted to TV shows that promote abusing their dogs in the name of dog training. A relationship is a two-way communication, not a one-way communication between two species. Our job is to be a good interpreter and translator. The only way to effectively be a great translator is to master the science on how animals learn.
See Sophia Yin's Profile
Thanks for bringing these points up.
The issue is that when you say "uses reinforcement all the time" you mean once every 5+ shows and in a very crude fashion. Skilled positive reinforcement trainers reward dogs probably 100 x more and with much more skill and emphasis on timing, reward delivery (depending on what the reward is), and attention to the rate of reward and the systematic fading of treats.
Cesar's general approach is to put the dog into the situation where it is reactive so that it can "face its fears" or be aggressive and learn that it can't win. He may use a food reward or attention sometimes, but in a very crude way. for instance he neglects one of the most important facets of reinforcements and that is that he neglects to have owner provide it within 1 second of the correct behavior and repetitively so the dog can learn. I recall one show where the owner said, "and then I can give attention" and Cesar said, "yes." but it was only as an afterthought.
Cesar does use positive reinforcement sometimes. If he would use it 100-1000times more such that it was his primary approach (which would require he use it in a more skilled way so that he could be consistently successful with these techniques instead of needing to fall back on the ones he knows best). Then we wouldn't be complaining about him.
Sophia Yin
Dr. Yin
Eight years ago, along with many other veterinary professionals, I tried to introduce you to C.W. Meisterfeld. Meisterfeld had written a book that detailed the dangers of dominant dog training techniques. His warnings, published in 1989, in the book Jelly Bean versus Dr. Jekll & Mr. Hyde, were ignored by veterinary professionals.
As much as the paradigm shift is needed, from dominance based training to positive reinforcement, I can only imagine how many pets suffered because the veterinary community believed in dominance based training.
My experience with a behaviorally problem dog started a search for something different from the normal teaching of dominance training that lead me to find C.W. Meisterfeld. After finding Meisterfeld Hetts would not entertain the idea of learning about his teachings. Fast forward a few years and I am working at a veterinary clinic and try to introduce a positive training methods to a veterinary. His only concern was how to make his clinic the clomacalm capital of the South. The next clinic didn’t want to hear anything about training, The next the vet kicked a sick client dog. The next clinic kicked a dog in the jaw three times. I continued working at clinics but with the understanding veterinarians were evil people.
I am amazed that a veterinarian would ever speak out against dominant training With there track record of staying away from the issue there must be a big incentive (money) to suddenly take a negative position on dominant training.
I don't know which veterinarians you worked for, but I have been using training methods in my clinic (I am a veterinarian) and ALWAYS taught people that the RELEASE of pressure is the better training and shows the dog what is correct. People walking the dog down the street with the least fully extended with pressure always is horrible for the dog and the person. The dog learns that if it pulls harder, it gets to go faster. If the dog is taught that if walks calmly, the owner relaxes the leash and they both walk easily with no pressure.
Dogs were happy to come into my clinic since we began when the puppies came in the first time. Also, when older dogs that had gone elsewhere and were frightened, we worked with them and usually within a few MINUTES, not hours, they were more comfortable and the owners were surprised that they came into the office the next time easily.
Some veterinarians have not had any behavior training in school, but the behaviorists (ASVAB) have been trying to introduce classes in each veterinary college for years to show how training methods can work or at least be able to refer to a specialist in animal behavior. I took the time the first time I saw the patient to work with calming and reassuring the pet, if I could. In emergency situations, there is not always time to do that.
Judy, most veterinarians don't have any behavior training and it is completely understandable, they are medical doctors focused on organic problems. I also appreciate you are one veterinarian who is interested in referring clients if necessary to qualified behavior specialists. My personal experience, is very few veterinarians in my community, dog related businesses, etc take time to qualify individuals whom they are willing to refer. Rather, i go into many offices, and dog related businesses only to see brochures predominantly from punishment based trainers (e-stim growing trend) . What i see, is a normal divide of opinion on how to achieve a goal. The only way i see this issue resolving itself is by educating the public about the differences, pros and cons. I also don't see much improvement as long as the industry continues to remain unregulated.
As someone who's rescued and rehabilitated aggressive dogs, there are times when the alpha roll is an appropriate response, but the end result should be teaching the dog to give up control and roll himself when he's being corrected. And to do that, he must learn to trust.
In wolf behavior, the "alpha roll" as it is called is only used when one animal intends to harm or kill the other. What generally happens and what people use to justify this approach is that one animal will posture or threaten (with a display of aggression) without contact and the other animal VOLUNTARILY rolls on its back. The alpha roll is not a display of dominance, it is a voluntary display of submission.
So, when you apply this method, you are exhibiting a mortal threat to those dogs. If they don't bite you, they were not a danger to you or anyone else to begin with.
As someone who has also rescued and rehabilitated aggressive dogs, there are never times that the alpha roll is an appropriate or necessary response...at least not when you have a broad range of knowledge and tools to work with aggression.
The late Job Michael Evans, who was one of the authors of the original Monks of New Skete book, admitted that he regretted popularizing the "Alpha Roll" because it got so many people bitten. If you are down face to face with a highly adrenalized dog who decides not to submit, where do you go from there?
Punishment stops a behavior but teaches nothing but pain.
Pain is only one form of punishment and in fairness, I don't see much pain used on the show. Primarily, the tools used on the show are intimidation, discomfort and fear. The problem with punishment as applied on the show is that it temporarily interrupts behavior, but the dog isn't taught an alternative.
While there may be times that punishment is necessary and effective, the use of punishment on the show only serves to increase the dog's negative association, which is highly likely to exacerbate the problem weeks or months down the road.
While it's not as obvious as pain, it is equally as inhumane.
If you watched the shows a little more closely you'd see how the dogs totally trust Cesar. He gains their trust by providing what he knows they need and want - excercise, discipline, and then affection. The dogs are very happy and comfortable around him. Of course, that's not always the case right away because he has to work with them. I've seen a dog that's been trained with awful punishment techniques and the poor thing just trembled in the presence of his owner. This is not what happens with dogs around Cesar.
I certainly do not want to equate dogs with children, but I have been working with both my entire adult life and one thing has been consistently clear about working with both. Positive reinforcement always gets good results, whereas while negative reinforcement can certainly stop certain behaviors it rarely leads to an on-going atmosphere of constructive learning.
"Negative reinforcement" is not the same as punishment. "Negative reinforcement" can be something as "benign" as withholding a treat. And "Negative reinforcement" is not the same as "positive punishment." The two should never be confused. "Negative reinforcement" is almost always absolutely necessary in raising a child or a dog. Punishment is almost never necessary.
Kaelinda, negative reinforcement is not the same as withholding a treat -- that's negative punishment.
Negative reinforcement -- when the probability of the behavior occurring in the future is increased when the behavior is followed by the removal or avoidance of a negative stimulus.
Negative reinforcement is something that Mr. Millan uses a lot of -- it's when you release the tension on a choke chain when the dog is walking next to you. Negative reinforcement usually needs positive punishment to happen first (the correction from the choke chain, for example)...
Dogs are social animals and need to be included in the family. They need positive attention and lot's of play time. In fact, if you are not willing to have the dog in your house and spend plenty of time with the animal on a daily basis, don't be surprised if the animal gets a little spazzy.
With out exception, every dog I have seen that behaves poorly has either been teased (that includes harsh training) or ignored and neglected by it's owner.
I am seeing a lot of similar cases to those in this article. It is challenging to explain to owners that "reality" TV doesn't display the most scientific methods available. In my mind, it's akin to believing that sitcoms are real life. It is sad to watch the very confused dogs who just want to hang out with their people and can't understand why they are being handled so roughly.
That is certainly what I and other colleagues have seen. Just had an appointment last week with a couple whose male Akita was displaying aggression towards family members. Turned out that the family was watching the show and applying the methods, in addition to other methods to "establish dominance" that were recommended by a local dog whisperer-type. They could not approach the dog when he was eating, could not brush him and couldn't get him to move out of the way.
We have already made significant progress in one session. The dog was not dominant or stubborn, but was simply reacting defensively to the completely inappropriate and unnecessary training methods.
Thankfully, the family determined on their own that these methods were creating a problem that was not there before and, after watching a few episodes of "It's Me or the Dog" decided to try a different approach.
As a professional too, I see just the opposite here in the UK. Rather the show "Its me or the dog" is the one I have most client problems with people trying to copy and unintentionally rewarding the wrong mind-set to bribe a behaviour they want.
People follow the philosophy of Cesar's Way being their dogs leader, awaiting professional help before trying methods. This is good, I hope long may it continue as the problem is often that owners who are not trained to recognise a problem can mis-diagnose and thereby treatment is wrong so can cause harm. This does not follow that the method is wrong - just the diagnosis wrong so wrong treatment plan/techniques used often by inexperienced or untrained owners.
In the DW show Cesar assesses each dog and humans too, before identifying the best method. This is what we as professionals should be promoting, not claiming methods that dogs themselves use are wrong. They are only "wrong" if the human's energy is wrong or the diagnosis is wrong/method misused.
Consult a professional is the clearest of messages on the DW show, Cesar helps redzone cases, not many others do which is clear from the need for Cesar and his own pack of 40+ dogs, if more professionals could/would using a dog's own ways of communication then more would be saved.
I have 3 redzone cases in my pack, successfully rehabilitated Cesar's Way -my pack of 14 live with me in the home!
As Professionals, I believe we need to be careful when it comes to words. Especially the words "diagnosis" and "diagnose". Those are terms best used by the medical community; we are NOT vets, therefore we are doing our profession and our clients a disservice to use medical terms when talking about behavior and training.
Methods that dogs use are just that... methods that dogs use among themselves. I believe that you agreed that we aren't dogs, correct? Then why are we trying to pretend that we are? (my Siberians would say people do stuff like that in order to make dogs laugh at us, but I doubt that's CM's reasoning....)
As a professional, I'm sure you understand the importance of expanding your knowledge base to include information from more than just one television show. I gather information not just from pet obedience trainers, but from competition trainers, schutzhund trainers, agility trainers and others who are highly successful at teaching complex behaviors.
If you have also expanded your library to include books/dvd's of other professionals, you likely know that Cesar is not the only one to emphasize the importance of leadership. And, as a professional with expanded knowledge, you would also understand that "red zone" is a highly subjective term that has no actual meaning and that aggressive behavior is not a complete mystery that only Cesar has the answers to.
I'm sure you also recognize that Cesar's 40+ dogs do not live in his home. Dogs that live on a compound are not pet dogs and so any observations or information gathered from managing such a group of dogs is largely irrelevant when addressing a group of 2-3 dogs who live inside with their owners and participate in activities that most owners engage in with their pets.
Finally, professionals know that it is physically impossible to mimic the same communication that dogs use...unless, of course, you are able to change the position of your ears and tail?
As someone who lives and works with so many dogs, I again encourage you to expand your knowledge. You will be amazed at how much more there is to learn!
If one is "bribing" a dog, one really isn't using positive reinforcement correctly.
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