Dog Training vs Management

Training seems to mean different things to different people, even in the realm of professionals. If you're considering hiring a professional for behavioral issues, training, etc., spend time interviewing that person to get details on exactly what they plan to do for you and how.

I once had a meeting with an animal behavior professional. We had a lengthy discussion about many topics, but one of those topics centered on training. This person knew that I considered myself a trainer and commented that 'trainers only treat symptoms" - I took exception to that comment.

I wasn't trying to be argumentative, but I found the comment odd after we had just spent the better part of the hour talking about specific dog behaviors, training techniques, etc. One example involved a common behavioral problem where dogs pull on their leash. This behavior professional's solution was to charge a client for fitting a "Gentle Leader" head harness on a dog. They commented how it amazed clients when this device "fixed" the problem behavior instantly. Of course, I disagreed. I said such devices "manages" the behavior in that they make it physically difficult for the dog to pull. But as soon as the harness comes off the bad behavior remains - the dog never learns that pulling isn't allowed.

Why not simply teach a dog not to pull on a leash? Once taught, they don't pull anymore - period. They simply understand it's not allowed and the problem is corrected. I'm not managing the problem with a harness, I'm teaching the family how to tell the dog that pulling is not allowed. There's communication and understanding for the dog, which I feel is a better solution. This is not "treating symptoms", this is not managing, it's communicating and teaching. This takes some time, but it's a real fix, not a band-aid.

In a like manner this behavior professional addressed food aggression by having the dog eat in a room alone. Again, not only does the problem persist when people enter the room, but this approach does not teach the dog anything good - it actually teaches the dog that bad behavior (growling) will give it control over its family.

NOTE 2019: I once had a caller who thought this was a great solution for a dog with resource guarding (aggressive arouond the food bowl). After years of managing the dog's "food issue" by leaving the dog to eat in a room alone, her teen boy found the dog rooting through the traash. When he tried pulling the dog away, the 150lb dog turned on the teen and pinned him to the ground. Luckily the mother quickly intervened and prevented any serious injury. This was a serious problem that was managed NOT addressed.

Dogs are much smarter than people usually give them credit. Whatever you feel may work best for you, I feel it's imperative owners understand the difference between mangement and teaching. Teaching is the only path that leads to correcting or fixing problems. Teaching does, however, require work on a family's part. Good ttainers will be teaching a dog and its family how to learn and work together.