What is a " Dog Whisperer"?
"Dog Whisperer" sounds good , doesnt it ? Someone who comes in and works magic on your dog 's unwanted behaviour and hey presto , it's gone !
If only it was that simple !
Effective dog training relies on an understanding of psychology and natural behaviour , using that understanding to educate owners , meet the dogs 's needs, modify behaviour, and sometimes to teach a high level of complex skills . There are 3 methods of dog training - punitive , "balanced " and positive reinforcement also known as force free or reward based .
Positive reinforcement is based on decades of scientific research ( since 1948 ) which has found that the most effective and kindest way to train your dog is by rewarding the behaviour you want and preventing by management and redirection the behaviour you don't. Positive trainers tend to be educated and qualified in dog behaviour , and do not use pain or fear because of the psychological and often physical harm it does .
" Balanced " training claims to reward wanted behaviour and punish unwanted behaviour . This sounds logical- but the dangerous psychological damage from punishment still occurs . If anything it makes training your dog harder because your dog will become fearful of geting it wrong (and often aggressive ) when it cannot predict the outcome of a behaviour . Dogs are not people- there is nothing wrong with ripping up an item or taking food if you are a dog , so how can your dog understand why it makes it you mad ? No it is not feeling" guilty" - it's fearful and trying to pacify you when it creeps, shows it's belly, and licks you .
Punitive trainers claim rewards are" bribes " and a dog should do as it's told because it was told . They often show no understanding or empathy for a dog 's natural behaviour . They tend to have no formal education in dog behaviour , or if educated , to have chosen to be educated in very "old school " ways and to dismiss modern psychology. They call positive reinforcement trainers " snowflakes " and "cookie pushers " . Science has repeatedly shown dogs trained by punitive or balanced methods often become anxious or aggressive - every aggressive or anxious dog I have trained in 8 years ( about 1,000 currently ) was punished or frightened by it's owner , previous trainer, breeder, or another person. Punitive trainers tell owners they must" be the alpha " and "be the pack leader " and " dominate your dog " . (Dogs are not actually pack animals , wolves are, and dogs are not wolves , just as you are not a chimp ).
Reactivity and aggression toward another dog is usually fear based. Punishing fear does not stop fear - at best it teaches the dog it is dangerous to show you fear , or results in learned helplessness and the dog gives up trying to escape the cause of the fear ( increase distance ). So the punitive trainer then claims the shut down dog has stopped the unwanted behaviour . But it hasnt changed - unlike positive reinforcement training which changes behaviour by taking away the fear and replacing it with positive associations - it is simply supressed, and like a cupboard crammed full, it will eventually burst open .
Punitive trainers advocate prong collars , electric shock collars , slip leads, choker chains and leash "corrections "/ "pops"- a nice way of saying a strangling jerk around the many very delicate structures in the throat . Punishment only works because if it hurts enough the dog will stop showing you that is afraid of the trigger . It is still afraid . Punishment for being afraid simply proves it was correct to be fearful.
"WHISPERING" ? OR JUST CLEVER MARKETING ?
" Dog Whisperers" claim to use magical powers and unique insight to " train " dogs. They pour scorn on rewarding behaviour ,which leaves them with only punishment . Magical mind control really means fear and intimidation and if that doesn't work , they resort to pain - choke collars, slip leads, prong collars, and shock collars . They call these " corrections" -because choke, hang , strangle , shock, and stab doesnt sound like something you should do to your dog , does it ? How many people would hire them if they called this what it is - some would because sadly some people simply like to hurt those less powerful than themselves , but some people simply don't know that these dog "trainers" either don't know , or are simply lying to them, about the harmful effects of punitive methods .
The best known "whisperer" is Ceasar Milan . Milan is an UNeducated trainer who advocated using force fear and pain to control dogs. Milan's TV show was slammed as " dangerous ","inhumane " " cruel "," outdated " and " improper " by the American Humane Association in 2006. National Geographic was forced to put a warning on the show - " Do Not Try This At Home "! Milan has been the subject of multiple lawsuits and has been bitten many times .Sadly Milan inspired a great many dog " trainers " and there are still many of them around , because dog training is not a regulated industry .I In USA many dogs and puppies have been killed by starvation, hanging, and physial violence , and even in Adelaide a dog was killed by heat when left in the van of a dog training company .
Yet these trainers continue to call this " training" and call themselves supernatual beings with superior abilties, and some owners either have no problem with it, or don't know it is harmful or believe ,as they have been told it is necessary.
I know not a single qualified positive reinforcement dog trainer who calls themselves a"dog whisperer". Qualified positive reinforcement dog trainers tend to promote themselves by way of their qualifications and science backed methods , not " magic " or telepathy .
I have had many clients who went to various trainers and were told not to reward their dog , one was sold $100 worth of punitive equipment( I immediately told her to throw in the bin) and when the "magic" didnt succeed in stopping the behaviour in a few hours - no training can actually change behaviour in this time frame without the most horrific abuse - after jerking the dog off it's feet by the neck, one client was told her dog was " untrainable " and she should take it to a shelter and he would sell her a puppy .After calling me for a consult and coming to class for 12 weeks - her dog was in her words " a different dog ". See her review on my website / google reviews ! Another client had a rescue chihuahua who was pulled by the neck through a doorway by this trainer which resulted in the dog being unable to be touched . In 5 minutes using a technique called BAT ( Behaviour Adjustment Technique ) which rewarded the dog with distance as it was now too afraid to even take roast chicken ,he was trotting happily through the doorway of his own accord with NO FORCE.
Walkerville Vet wrote a post that referred to a dog who was brought to him for euthansia for aggression after being trained by a " dog whisperer ". The owner still thought the trainer was wonderful . Fortunately the vet was able to convince the owner to give him the dog and after some positive reinforcement training the dog was no longer aggressive.
Please question the magic . Replace it with science . Your dog and your wallet will thank you .
