Chapter 1

Beginnings

"Welcome to Dog Training 101!"

Those are routinely my opening words to first-week classes. Admittedly, it's not all that profound a greeting, but deep and complex isn't the intent. On the contrary, the twofold purpose is to secure relaxed interest and to set the tone. Indeed, the time has come for some serious dog training, but that doesn't imply that handlers must park their senses of empathy and humor at the door.

Owner perspective can become distorted during this sort of schooling. While the following first-meeting remarks aren't verbatim——I don't teach from a script——they're close.

Before getting underway, we need to visit for a moment about perspective——yours. You know why you're here today, yes? To learn how to train your dog, at least according to the gospel of training methods as interpreted by me. Sure. But consider the situation from your pet's point of view. He hasn't a clue about what's going on. How could he? For all he knows, today's gathering is little different from just another trip to the vet.

Now, one element must be acknowledged from the start. This is a dog you're dealing with——not a child. I know that belabors the obvious, but I also know that after a few lessons, students often comment about similarities between teaching the youngster and training the dog. While I grant you some analogies can be drawn, one does his or her pet a disservice to equate the animal with a human. Dogs can't handle the pressure typically generated by unrealistic anticipation's accompanying such a mindset. There's no way a canine can live up to such expectations, and he finds him self in an impossible, hopeless situation. (1)

(1)Johannes Grewe wrote in, Deutsche Schutzhundschule (Denver: Quality Press, 1981), p. 3: "Sometimes dogs are shown a kind of love which can only exist between two people and then only be cause it is based on moral values and is rooted in deep human convictions. This type of love, if offered to dogs, is certainlywell-intentioned; however it is not only misplaced, but it may make the dog's life a veritable `hell on earth' because such sen timents foster keeping practices which are inappropriate for the species."

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Rather than compare your pet, endeavor to see him for what he is, not for what he isn't. To ignore or gloss over this point is to deny his identity. It can set the animal up for a lifetime of frustration and rejection; it can dam age spirit and hamper sincere attempts at bonding. A dog trapped in such a situation will always sense that the owner is less than satisfied with him. What he'll never be able to fathom is why.

Be careful, too, about getting overly wrapped up in training for its own sake. One can become so fascinated with technique and theory as to dwell on "what" instead of "who." A dog can come to be seen as an object, a thing, an ego-stroking means to an end, instead of the caring, loyal spirit he is.

A final point pertains to force. Its judicious use is integral to training, but it's not an end in itself. Unawareness of that distinction has led many would-be trainers to evolve into little more than force-oriented controllers knowing just enough to be dangerous. Good people can become such hardhearted disciples of force methods that they for get why they got a dog in the first place. More than one otherwise rational person has made this slip. In doing so, one loses balance, perspective, and defeats the intent of sharing his or her days with a willing, dedicated companion.

Be alert, be wary, and be careful.

Like I said: Perspective. Hang on to it.

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Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin, et al

When you see the phrase, "trained dog," what thought arises? To my mind, such an animal is one who is reliable in all likely situations. His responses are predictable over a broad range of circumstances. Hearing-assist dogs, seeing-eyes, canines in police or military service, herding dogs, circus performers, and some competition animals belong in this category.

Notice, though, the phrase is not, well-trained dog. That's redundant. Canine makeup is such that an animal is either

reliable (trained), or he's not (untrained). A dog's perception and behavior are absolute: Do or do not, approach or avoid, yes or no, obey or disregard. This aspect of our best friend leads professionals to agree that half-trained is untrained.

Does this mean a trained dog bats a thousand? Of course not. No being has that faculty. But in many ways a trained canine comes closer to working perfection than you or I, and his off days are fewer and farther apart.

And by the way, keep in mind that Lassie, Rinty, and the rest were allowed retakes.

Background——The Pack Concept

Canis familiaris is a semi domesticated pack animal whose nature is to submit to those he perceives as dominant. In turn, he attempts to dominate those he senses are submissive. He doesn't choose this attitude. It's chosen for him; he's driven toward it. The drive operates to ensure survival through and within pack preservation, the continued solidarity of which is integral to each member's existence.

Each pack has a structured leadership hierarchy. At the pinnacle is Alpha, the pack leader. This animal's will is law. To become your dog's leader, dominance must be secured by demonstrating that there's no need to apply for the Alpha position, as that job's been filled: By you.

To state all this another way, what you call a family, your dog calls a pack. If you permit him to run you, he will. If he sees you as dominant, he'll accept your self-proclaimed status. It's no more complicated than that.

A Logical Consequence

A realistic training approach shows a dog that certain acts are his contribution——his responsibility——to pack well-being. This type of contact makes sense to a dog; it speaks to him; it's communication at his level of understanding. To accomplish any thing beyond rudimentary conditioning, instruction must match the dog's perception of reality: He's the student.

Don't presume a canine can be brought to our world. That's simply not in the cards. A dog will always be a dog. No style of training changes pooch into some offbeat form of Homo sapiens(and I wouldn't have it any other way). Our attempt is to relate with a being who possesses neither capacity for speech nor imbued comprehension of the King's English. A dog can learn to connect certain sounds (commands, praise, etc.) with actions on his part, but he can never comprehend the subtle nuances of the spoken word as you and I. Tone of voice and body language are much more conducive to canine understanding.

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Learning and Retention Abilities

The dog is a quick learner and his memory is long; both traits must serve unerringly for life. He has evolved from a violent world characterized by ruthless competition wherein one may receive but a single opportunity to learn any fact of life. Dogs instinctively know that woe be unto any animal who forgets a lesson: Such could be that critter's undoing.

For a vivid description of the society from which the dog's ancestors came, ponder Jim Harrison's symbolic representation of the wild kingdom.

In northern Manitoba a man saw a great bald eagle——hanging from its neck, teeth locked in skin and feathers, the bleached skull of a weasel. (2)

Your pet, who is perhaps peacefully asleep at your feet, may not appear to remember these roots to his past, but be assured they are a part of him, and he of them.

Motivations

Canines appraise situations and events according to whether or not each is personally advantageous or non-advantageous. That may seem selfish, but in truth it's survival. Certainty is the goal, the key, because the dogs' world is shaded in very few grays. Its members avoid vague circumstances whenever possible, since non distinct areas produce anxiety born of uncertainty.

A person's decision to train his or her dog is an exercise in common sense. Implementing that decision is an act of kindness. It provides the basis for an ever-deepening relationship. The dog is afforded the sense of certainty he craves through clear guidelines to live by, and the owner can establish necessary control through rapport-based communication.

(2) From Jim Harrison's "A Year's Changes," from the Locationscollection (New York: W. W. Norton and Co., 1968).

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