GUEST POST: Trainer Graham Buck on Dog Parks

 

GUEST POST:  Dog Trainer Graham Buck on Dog Parks

This week, we’re excited to have Dog Trainer Graham Buck, of Buck’s Best Dogs in NY, chime in on the Dog Park theme. Buch spent 31 years as a trainer of Guide Dogs. His complete bio can be found below the article.

After reading our last blog post on Dog Parks, Buck wanted to respond, and add some additional points:

DOG PARKS

I felt the need to respond to this very thorough and well thought out post about dog parks. The blog is filled with so many facts, history and discussion about the dog park culture.

Why do most reputable trainers not recommend dog parks? READ ON TO FIND OUT!

Why Do Dog Trainers Hate Dog Parks So Much?

Earlier this week on social media, I posted and shared a graphic (reprinted below) about the many problems of dog parks, including spread of disease, unsuitable & improper social interactions, increased aggression and behavior problems in dogs who frequent these parks regularly and the list goes on.  

This is not a new theme for me (or many other professional dog trainers).

However, in spite of repeated messages and warnings and shared internet articles, etc., I know many of my clients still frequent dog parks - and often admit to doing so sheepishly, when asked about it.

Sharing the graphic resulted in a lot of "Hear! Hear" agreement, and a few dissenters.  

One dissenter in particular, had the essential argument of "Let dogs be dogs."  However, this particular person frequents beautiful, large, unfenced, open dog beaches - a very different proposition than the cramped, often dirty, overpopulated urban dog parks of my area.

When dog parks first began, in 1983 in Berkeley, CA, I probably would have agreed with the idea of letting dogs get out and stretch their legs and be dogs.

However, the dog parks of today are completely different (at least where I live, work and train dogs for a living). There are too many cramped, fenced, well-over-capacity urban dog parks teaming with all of the issues listed in the graphic posted below.

A little history of both myself and my dog park experience: While dog parks may have begun in CA in 1983, they didn't become popular for quite a while (again, at least where I live & train).

I began training dogs professionally in 1990, and the first dog park didn't arrive in my area until 1997 - this seems to be true for most of the middle of the country, with trends starting on the coasts and moving inward.

Even then, the dog park in question was HUGE - multiple acres with hiking trails and side yards - and used by just a few people. The dogs would do exactly as Joe describes - meet, sniff, and generally either ignore each other, or have a short romp and return to interact with their owners or other humans there. There was of course the very limited, occasional scuffle once in a while, but the dogs had ample room to get away from each other if they wanted, and most were busy being dogs - which meant sniffing and exploring, not trying to interact with each other constantly.

Fast forward 27 years to today's urban dog parks: There is an urban dog park 1.6 miles from my dog training facility. This particular park is small, at less than 2 acres, gravel, not grass (hard on the feet), & chain link fenced. There is little-to-no shade, and no benches or seating for the humans - all a far cry from the lush beaches and sprawling, grassy dog parks so many people envision.

Now - if there were only a few dogs who frequented the place occasionally, sure, fine...great place for apartment-dwelling dogs to get out and stretch. But the place is regularly packed - 20 to 40 dogs at a time. It reeks of urine. There have been multiple dog attacks and more than one death due to fighting. It's basically a prison movie-of-the-week for dogs, and the only exciting thing about it is wondering who'll get shanked next.

Ok, perhaps I'm some hysterical, control-freak, as my dissenting commenter would have you believe. But let's again look at some hard & fast numbers:

I have trained dogs professionally for nearly 34 years. I have owned, trained, and raised 36 personal dogs (I say this because anytime someone says they've grown up with dogs and owned a lot, they usually have! But for the average human 'a lot' is often around 10 to 15 dogs over a lifetime), and I have evaluated and trained over 8000 dogs - and the trainers under my guidance have trained another 700+ dogs.

That is a lot of dog experience! I will grant that I am probably more sensitive to the fall out from dog parks and current dog culture than the average pet owner.

In fact, the trainers of Front Range K9 Academy and I just talked about this - discussing that yes, probably 90% of the time when dogs who don't know each other get together, they 'work it out' and things go fine.

BUT my training staff and I (and all of the other professional trainers in the U.S.) see the 10% that don't work it out.

We have seen a steady (400%) increase in dog aggression and reactivity cases in the last 15 years or so. That increased number is not normal, and should be a clear signal that something is wrong.

Dogs don't evolve that fast, so there must be an external factor, or factors.

Dog parks like the one I describe above are very likely one of those factors.

Dogs, as they mature, are like us - their social circles close and they have a desire to be intimate with those they are close to - whether that is humans or other dogs/animals. Dogs are social creatures. Humans are social creatures. But we desire INTIMATE social interactions (like play) with those we know - NOT with strangers. Forced social intimacy with strangers is weird and stressful, and compounds over time.

Does that mean dogs can't meet and get along with new dogs? Of course not, but the dog park is a HUMAN invention, with unnatural, forced social interactions. And tiny, fenced in parks don't allow the room to keep that stress to a minimum Study after study of all sorts of animals tracks how stress rises in overpopulated situations.

Some breeds (hounds, sporting breeds) most likely do fine in more packed social settings - we've selectively bred them for centuries to work and live in large packs. But herding and working breeds, and terriers may be a different bag of snacks all together - we've selectively bred these dogs for centuries to be 'in charge'...

Add to that, when entering a modern urban dog park, an owner has no idea of the level of social etiquette, what breed mixes, what training, nor what health care and immunizations any given dog there has had.

And add to THAT the simple fact that dogs ARE territorial. If frequenting the same dog parks all the time, the likelihood of some territorial instincts kicking is a relevant issue. (Ask any doggy daycare staff what happens when the same dogs come to daycare too often...)

Now - add it all up: We have a mixed bag of breeds and breed mixes, ages, sizes, and temperaments of dogs who are NOT related, are NOT a pack.

And we're simply going to roll the dice, bank on that 90% number I pulled out of my hat, and hope it will all be ok.

No thanks.

Life is full of risks. Every time you get in a car and drive somewhere, you have a chance of a wreck. Every time you take your dog out in public, something *could* happen.

But, there are risks you can choose and those you cannot. Going to the dog park is a risk I advise strongly against.

I'd rather my puppy owners and my dog training clients do what people did BEFORE the invention of dog parks...train your dogs. Walk your dogs. Work your dogs. Play with your dogs.

It's not the job of the dog park, or the dogs & people of the dog park to exercise and socially stimulate your dog.

It's yours.

The graphic mentioned above, posted on FB by stateofmind_dogtraining.

Jennifer Hime is the Owner & Training Director at Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO.  She has been training dogs in Colorado professionally since 1990. Jennifer can be reached through K9counselor.com.

What Should You REALLY Look for in a Dog Trainer?

Trainer & Training Coordinator, Margaret Whitaker, and Bohannon

A while back, I wrote about whether or not you should care if your dog trainer has any awards or titles on their own dogs or dogs they've trained. 

But in addition to a trainer with the knowledge and dedication it takes to earn titles with their own dogs, what ELSE should you look for in a dog trainer?

The internet is full of articles touting claims like "The Top 5 Things to Look for in a Dog Trainer" or "How to Find the Right Dog Trainer for Your Dog" and on and on.

A quick scan of most of these articles quickly begins to read like a vanilla ice cream recipe:

"Find someone with certifications" - Even though the dog training industry is unregulated, soooo many of those certifications may not hold a lot of water...

"Look for someone who uses positive-reinforcement-only techniques" - Even though many dogs do not respond well to positive-reinforcement-only training, and many of the trainers who embrace this ideology also embrace a 'death before discomfort' mentality; meaning that if they fail you and your dog, they will recommend behavioral euthanasia rather than referring you to someone who CAN help, or delving into learning techniques that don't align with their personal narrative...

"Find someone you're comfortable with" - Okay, in most cases this is true...but read on a bit to find out when this is NOT helpful.

"Avoid anyone who corrects your dog, or uses corrective equipment"  WAIT.  WHAT???  

Considering that nearly 1/2 of dog owners are seeking help with problem behaviors - including aggression - correction of these behaviors may be exactly what some owners and dogs are looking for!

In keeping with the whole idea of dog training being able to both teach new, GOOD behaviors and to stop or fix BAD behaviors, most of the so-called expert advice on finding a dog trainer is sorely misleading.

It appears that most of these Find-a-Dog-Trainer posts were written by 3 types of authors:

• those who are drinking the kool-aid of 'All Positive' training
• AI
• those who are afraid to say anything helpful about finding a trainer who can deliver results, most likely for fear of backlash from the first group

So, here it is - from someone who's been training dogs for more than 33 years:  Let's debunk some myths, and talk about what people should REALLY be looking for when they're interviewing dog trainers.

#1  One word:  EXPERIENCE.  The dog training industry is indeed unregulated.  There is no single governing body that certifies trainers, or can tell you who is 'good,' 'great,' or 'terrible.'  

To complicate things more, almost every trainer out there has a website peppered with glowing reviews that all seem to say the same thing about how wonderful the trainer is.

So how is a dog owner to know which one to choose?

Well - considering the average, unregulated dog trainer will be in business for less than 5 years, looking at how long your trainer or facility has been open is a good start.  

Longevity means your trainer is doing something right, or they wouldn't still be in business.  But it also means they've most likely worked with many dogs and owners.

Wouldn't you rather work with someone who has trained thousands of dogs, as opposed to say, twenty?

#2  EQUIPMENT:  Unlike those vanilla posts about choosing only someone who uses only flat collars, harnesses, or head collars, let's get honest and accurate.

Any piece of training equipment can be misused and cause harm to a dog (or human).  This is true of all brands of leashes, collars of any & all types, harnesses, head collars, and yes, even treats.  

The real issue at stake is whether a trainer knows how to use many different tools effectively and safely; and can match the right tools to your dog and your situation.

A trainer who limits their tools and techniques is much more likely to end up failing a dog and owner when things don't work out than one who is open to - and well-versed in - the use of all dog training equipment and techniques.

And, of course, now we're back to that pesky #1 point - experience! 

#3  METHODS & TECHNIQUES:  Just like #2, do you really want a trainer who is limited in their 'toolbox' of knowledge and techniques?

Professional dog training should be a field in which trainers continue to learn new and alternate methods and techniques throughout their careers.  

Trainers who are enthusiastic about their training successes are one thing...but like everything else in life, those who are fanatical ideologues should be avoided.  Trainers who tell you their way is the ‘only way’ and everyone else is either ‘abusive’ or ‘too soft’ probably don’t fall into the right category for any owner or dog.

Quite simply put, there is no single 'right' way to train a dog, and I'd wager that the many owners who've spent good money trying multiple trainers until they found the one that could actually help them wish those first two (or three? or four?) trainers had been knowledgeable in more than one method, or one type of training equipment.

Want to know more? Check out our in-depth, extensive information about methods & training equipment here:  https://www.k9counselor.com/methods

#4  TITLES:  Trainers putting titles on their own dogs MEANS something.  As I mentioned in my previous article about titles, the trainer who competes with their own dog shows not only experience, dedication, and knowledge, but often has superior problem-solving skills - simply because they often think out of the box to reach higher and higher goals with their own dogs.  

This translates to someone well-qualified to help pet owners reach their goals, even if those goals don't include trophies and ribbons!

#5 COMFORT:  Yes, in most cases, you should like your dog trainer.  You should be able to relate to your dog trainer.  And you should feel comfortable with your dog trainer.  

After all, you're trusting your trainer with your best buddy's education.  If you're using a board and train facility, you're trusting them with his physical care as well as his education!

If you're doing training in person with a trainer who trains you, you're trusting that they can communicate with both you AND your dog in a way that will lead to success.

So - Question:  When is YOUR comfort not important in the dog owner/dog trainer relationship?

Answer:  When you're only looking to hear what you want to hear.  Sometimes, dog trainers have to be brutally, painfully honest with dog owners.  

This could happen if a truly dangerous dog is not responsive to any type of training or technique (rare, but it happens).

Or if a dog is a bad fit for a home (this may be due to the humans, or the dog...but again, it does happen).

This could also happen if the humans in the household are causing the dog's problems.  This is probably the most common occurrence when a dog trainer has to make an owner uncomfortable - but it's an important one...

If YOU are causing the issues for your dog, it's your dog trainer's responsibility to tell you that - and what you need to do differently to fix the problem.

A dog trainer who only tells you what you want to hear isn't going to help you solve problems and have the best relationship possible with your dog.

You need to find a trainer who communicates clearly with both you and your dog, and who can get you the results you're paying for.

Jennifer Hime, is the Owner & Training Director at Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO.  She has been training dogs professionally in Colorado since 1990.  Jennifer can be reached through K9counselor.com.

What made you decide to train your dog?

This week in "What Goes on in this Dog Trainer's Mind..."

What made YOU decide to train your dog? (hit us up in the comments with your answers!)

I've often wondered this through my 33+ years as a professional trainer, and it just now dawned on me to ask!

In going about my everyday life, I see a lot of dogs. Some are well-behaved and happy - walking along nicely without pulling on their leashes, looking to their owners for guidance with devotion in their eyes, wagging and panting happily when they get a treat or meet a new person or discover a new smell.

On the other hand, I also see the not-so-well-behaved dogs, too! The ones straining out in front of their owners on straight, tight leashes, bouncing off every person they meet in over-stimulated excitement. These are the dogs who are often completely disconnected from their humans, and struggle in our human world - lunging, barking, digging, destroying things in the house, and maybe even experiencing actual aggression problems.

In today's world, there is no shortage of dog training information out there - from (often) free blogs, webinars, online training courses, youtube videos, and of course, the good ol' library - full of free books to read about dog behavior, no matter what type of training you're looking for.

A quick google search reveals that in the greater Denver area, there are hundreds of professional in-person dog training options (over 70 different options on the first 3 pages).

So...what made YOU decide to train your dog?

Was there a one-time incident that put you over the edge?

Have you always had dogs, and always gone to professional trainers, so it was a given that you'd do the same with your newest dog?

Did a friend or family member suggest training?

Did you meet a trained dog out in the world, and think, "Hey! I want a dog like that!"?

Did you see something on a tv show or social media that planted the seed in your mind that you wanted to go to training?

What was it that made you decide to train your dog? (And if you're feeling generous, we'd love to hear what made you decide to train with us at Front Range K9 Academy!)

Jennifer Hime, is the Owner & Training Director at Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO.  She can be reached through K9counselor.com.

It's Ok to say "NO!"

In a recent Facebook post, a dog owner with a 6 month old pup is worried her pup will hurt her cat because the puppy plays so rough when he's overexcited.

Looking through the suggested solutions by other dog owners, I saw lots of good advice about redirecting the pup, as well as rewarding him for making the right choices.

But not a single person mentioned correcting the puppy.

Meanwhile, back at the Front Range K9 Academy training facility, we see countless dogs who have never been told "No!"

Many of these dog owners are truly at the end of their ropes, often describing just how awful their dogs are, and some considering giving up on them.

At our first meeting, during temperament testing and consulting with these owners, we are no longer shocked at the number of times a simple "No!" paired with stern eye contact, and a quick squirt with one of our trusty (and CHEAP) squirt bottles immediately stops the barking, lunging, frothing at the mouth and snapping, 'terribly aggressive' dog in its tracks (can you hear the sarcasm as I type?).

We - the trainers - are not surprised.  But you could knock some of these owners over with a feather.

Given the amount of money some of our poor clients have spent elsewhere on other trainers, and some really outrageous 'training equipment' and methods, the trainers at FRK9 and I have often joked that we need to make up some t-shirts that simply say, "Squirt Bottles are Cheap." 

There is a growing, and very worrisome trend in the dog world lately that needs to be talked about.

On social media groups, in dog training articles and blogs, on the evening news... there is a strong resistance by some dog owners (and by many dog trainers) to embrace the concept of "NO!"

I am here to state, for the record:

It's Okay to tell your dog "NO!"

Whether we're talking about a verbal "NO!", a hard stare, or a physical correction, it's not only okay, but sometimes it's downright vital to correct your dog.

When we use verbal or physical corrections, we are helping our dogs learn what is acceptable and what is not.

I think every dog owner and dog trainer out there would agree that this is important.  After all, if WE don't tell the dog what is absolutely NOT OKAY in our human world, they are likely to make a lot more mistakes than if we do tell them.

Now, before you get your panties in a bunch about corrections - let's define what a correction is.

A correction can be anything from a "No!" or "Ah! Ah!" (or any other sound you use to signal to your dog to stop doing something) to shaker can full of coins that startles a dog and stops a behavior, to a squirt from a squirt bottle, to a quick tug & release on leash & collar, or a tap on a remote collar - really, a correction is anything that stops your dog from doing something.

And a correction is just that - a correction of an incorrect behavior.  

It's not mean. 

It's not abuse. 

It's not going to emotionally scar your dog, or damage your relationship with it.  In fact, I'll go so far as to say NOT correcting your dog will do much more damage, in the long run.

I am increasingly worried about the number of times I see dog owners asking questions that reveal they've been brainwashed into believing anything other than treats and redirecting a dog is downright cruelty.

I am not sure if this trend is due to the white-washing of advice found on the internet (as dog trainers, most of us are all too aware of the Animal Rights groups out there that are gunning for us, and really gunning for dog & pet ownership in general), or if our culture really has changed so much in the 33 years since I started training dogs.

Either way, the simple fact remains that dogs need BOTH types of information to succeed.

Let's use the 'roadmap' analogy to make this clear.

If you and I are in a car, and you are driving us to St. Louis, MO, and our GPS system is broken (humor me) - how long do you think it would take to get there if I ONLY tell you when you're going the right direction, but I sit quietly when you make a wrong turn?

If this is the case, we may NEVER get there.

The same is true if I am ONLY telling you when you're going the wrong way, but never acknowledging when you're headed in the right direction.  This will only lead to you being nervous and very stressed and lost.

But, if I am telling you BOTH when you're headed in the right direction, AND when you've made a wrong turn, we should have a pretty smooth trip.

The same is true for your communications with your dog.  If you are ONLY rewarding good behavior, and never correcting bad behavior, it will take much longer (if ever) for your dog to understand what is okay, and what isn't.

The same applies if you are ONLY correcting bad behaviors and never reinforcing good ones - you will create a nervous, anxious, and possibly aggressive dog.

It's only when you give your dog the WHOLE PICTURE that you can move forward smoothly - and much more efficiently and quickly - with your dog's training.

Why wouldn't you want to give your dog a roadmap to success?

That's it from this end of the leash.

Jennifer Hime, is the Owner & Training Director at Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO.  She can be reached through K9counselor.com.

Patterns Vs. Incidents - a Presidential Concern

Maybe the Bidens ought to give up on having German shepherds in the White House.

No matter where you fall on the political scale, or what you think of the current President or state of affairs, having to banish 2 dogs in the span of less than two years is a sign of a serious problem ('Major' was sent off to live with friends - also for biting - in December 2021; now off goes 'Commander' in November 2023).

The latest report on Commander is that in his two years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, he's had at least 11 bites to staff - some serious enough to require medical attention.  Additionally, some sources say there have been many more, unreported/untreated bites from the 2 year old German shepherd.

As a professional dog trainer of over 33 years, I am appalled.

Why was this dog allowed to practice this behavior for so long and so many times?  

I'll tell you why:

When it comes to their dogs, Joe & Jill Biden are no different than many of the pet owners we see at Front Range K9 Academy every week.

They love their dog.  

They are exceptionally busy, and dog training doesn't always come first.  

And most importantly, they are in denial (or those advising them about the dog are).

Look folks, it's not rocket science - sometimes dogs bite.  But when this happens, we have to determine whether we're looking at an isolated incident or at a pattern that reveals the nature of the dog itself.

Sometimes, a dog biting is a one-time thing which can be explained - or maybe even excused - by circumstances.  This is an incident of biting.

It might happen when the dog is injured, startled, feeling threatened, or otherwise not acting in character; and, if it truly is incidental, it's not likely to happen again.

What 'Commander' is doing is not incidental biting.  It has crossed a line.  In fact, it has so far surpassed that line, the line has become a dot in the far, far distance!

I've assessed and worked with hundreds (maybe thousands) of aggressive dogs of all breeds.  Any bite is cause for concern.  Anything beyond 2 bites is cause for major concern.

Now we're getting reports of 11 or more bites from this dog.

This, my friends, is a very clear pattern.  And patterns of behavior are notoriously difficult to extinguish.

And this is where understanding the nature of the dog - its breed, temperament, and history are so important when making the right decisions regarding what comes next.  

And that applies whether we're talking about the President's dog, or your dog.

When owners come in with a dog with bites under its belt - whether it's one bite, or many - we are always cautious.

We'd love to tell you "Yes!  Your dog can be 'fixed' and will never bite again!"  But that would be a lie.  A dog who is willing to bite even once, may be willing to do it again.

And the dog who has gotten well-practiced in the habit or pattern of biting is a truly dangerous animal.

This doesn't mean things are hopeless and you have to send your dog away.  

But it DOES mean you have to become fully accountable and responsible for the actions of your dog - for the rest of its life.

And for the love of Mike, you have to step out of denial, and into reality.  Wishing things would be different does you and your dog NO GOOD.

Life with an aggressive dog is hard.  As humans, we're always hoping to explain away bites - "The child scared him."  "He doesn't like to go to the veterinarian."  "She doesn't like men in hats."  "It was windy that day, and she was upset."

But if your explanations are adding up, as your dog wracks up bite after bite, it's time to step back and take a long hard look at what's going on, and what has to change.

Because, as one of our favorite signs at the training facility says, "If you change nothing, nothing will change."

Jennifer Hime is the Owner & Training Director at Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Perseverance Pays Off

 A few months ago, I posted a Pro Tip about perseverance being so vital in training.

Today's training - out doing Foundation work with demo pup, "Bug" - reminded me of this important concept once again.

Bug is on day 4 of Foundation training. Her first session of this lesson did not go well, in spite of her being a star student with the first 3 days of Foundation work.

On the first session of Day 4, she was chasing the long line, dropping her shoulder and sprinting to the end of the line (and hitting it HARD) regularly, tangling up and protesting - all the things an almost-4-month-old pup will often do, but things THIS pup had not done during the previous training sessions.

I chalked it up to new snow, the new format and slightly more challenging lesson, and just a rotten session. A lot of folks would've spent too much time over-thinking the issue... "Did I do it wrong?" "Should I go back to Day 3 and do more of that lesson?" "Is this training even working?"

But, having done this method of training for nearly 23 years, and having trained thousands of client dogs, as well as 25 of my own dogs in the method, I have the luxury of knowing the difference between a rough session, and a true training problem.

Sure enough, the second session of Day 4 training went MUCH smoother. In fact, Bug surpassed my expectations, trotting along next to me, letting the extra long line drag out away from her for most of the session.

Success on so many levels! Bug grasped the concept that her handler (me) is unpredictable, even when she *thinks* she knows the game we're playing...so her best option is to keep her eyes and ears on me - which is the whole point of Foundation work!

If I had given up, or gone backwards in training, I wouldn't have let Bug learn the lesson in her own time.

Once again, even when a new concept feels too challenging, it's worth it to persevere for a few more sessions, to see if your dog is learning the concepts, in spite of the struggles.

Now, if the second session of Day 4 training had been as bad (or worse) than the first, that would be PATTERN emerging, and I would have needed to re-assess the next steps.

But a single INCIDENT of a bad training session doesn't mean you're doing it wrong, or the dog can't learn, or the training doesn't work. If you begin to see a pattern (multiple bad sessions), then something needs to change, but if it's just one rough session, give the dog a break for a few hours (maybe even a day) and then revisit the session to see if they've learned the new concept.

Very often, they'll surprise you - and ace the lesson on the second attempt. But, if you don't persevere, you'll never know whether you just had a bad session, or if you need to change something in what you're doing!

Jennifer Hime is the owner & Training Director at Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO.