In my last entry, I discussed modern dog training, based on solid scientific principles which emphasize the efficacy of positive reinforcement training for animals.  But how's the average person to know what kind of dog training has a solid scientific basis?  Currently, there is no really reliable certification of dog trainers to guide the consuming public, the dog owner who wants some assistance training her or his dog.  Anyone, in the United States anyway, can hang out a shingle as a professional dog trainer.

My web site, R-Plus Dog Training www.r-plusdogtraining.info, exists entirely to provide information to the public on modern methods of dog training using positive reinforcement.  It's a start, but you'll need more to implement this kind of training for your dog, if you are not familiar with it.  There I list the best books, DVD's, and web sites out there for you to explore. 

You should also look for local trainers who use this method.  I wish I could send you to a reliable place to find this information, but alas, it's still a wilderness out there with all kinds of euphemisms for dog training that sounds great but is not dog-friendly.  You can inquire with the web site Truly Dog Friendly and check their list of TDF dog trainers:  www.trulydogfriendly.com/blog/?page_id=4 but that list is quite incomplete as yet.

For information from public media, if you have access to Animal Planet, I highly recommend the program:  It's Me or the Dog, which features British dog trainer Victoria Stillwell.  To find out more, visit her web site:  www.victoriastilwell.com/.  

I've now seen many episodes of Stillwell's program, filmed both in the UK and the US.  Her program, her methods, and her explanations just keep getting better.  The first episodes were tentative about explaining the method of positive reinforcement, even though Stillwell's approach centers largely upon positive reinforcement, with some negative punishment and some mild aversives here or there.  Perhaps this soft touch was so that the show would not seem strident and turn viewers away.  Recently however Stillwell tells it like it is.  She not only is explicit about the methods she uses, she expresses her strong disapproval of pain- and fear-based methods of dog training.  You go, Victoria!

Her shows collectively feature a wide variety of common concerns for which dog owners often seek help.  In other words, how can a pet owner without a lot of experience in dog training solve simple and common problems, such as a dog that pulls when walking on a leash, jumps up on people, barks for attention, begs at the table, potties in the house, acts aggressively toward other dogs or people?  Victoria quickly assesses the dog and its owner and tailors a program that is effective and compatible with that owner's goals and needs, and the needs of the dogs. She reads dogs well and also sizes up the owners with skill and perception.  She is compassionate but firm and direct with owners.  She is also straight with the owners and the audience:  there is no quick fix.  Working with a dog is...work.  But her methods are both faster and more effective than the apparent quick fix of punitive methods.

In the picture for this entry, my dogs are lying politely and quietly  by the table while we eat.  They are rewarded with occasional kibble, but only if they are quiet and fully lying down.  No dog is told to "down" or be quiet or "leave it".  We ignore the obnoxious behaviors, or manage them as necessary, and reward whenever a dog lies down and stays quiet.  Our dogs can be part of the family activies and everyone is happy.

Positve reinforcement dog training:  You can try this at home.  It's fun and builds a strong relationship with you and your dog. If you want to see  examples, there are examples aplenty on It's Me or the Dog.