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001. Prologue |
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This article is from the Dog Behavior FAQ, posted to rec.pets.dogs newsgroup. Maintained by Cindy Tittle Moore with numerous contributions by others.
First, you should understand that there are two components to "training" and they are frequently mixed. There is the kind of training that solves _behavioral_ problems. There is also the kind of training that creates a command-response pattern. It is perfectly possible to have a dog that heels, sits, and stays perfectly and digs out all your marigolds. Conversely, you may have a dog that does not destroy things in your house nor jump up on people, but does not sit or heel. For purposes of clarity, I consider the former type of training as "behavior modification" and the latter type as "obedience training."
While this article discusses behavior modification and tries to help you understand what the sources of trouble between you and your dog may be, I want to stress that there is absolutely no replacement for a trainer or animal behaviorist you know and trust to help you and your dog. Having someone to ask questions and show you what works with your dog is like having the picture as opposed to the words -- a thousand times better. Nevertheless, this article will hopefully help with some common problems. For some help in finding a behaviorist near you, try this site: http://www.cisab.indiana.edu/ABS/Applied/index.html. To find a good trainer near you, try asking your veterinarian and other dog owners for references.
That said, some good books that are aimed at helping solve problems between dogs and owners are:
Gentile, Dan Jr, _Guide to Beginning Obedience_.
This little book crams an impressive amount of information into 64 pages. It's great for the first time dog owners. Very concise and precise.
Dunbar, Ian and Gwen Bohnenkamp, _Behavior Booklets_.
Recommended especially for the first time dog owner. He has a booklet on every common problem, such as: biting, fearfullness, housebreaking, chewing, digging, barking etc. and has a really simple, common sense, all bases covered sort of approach which doesn't leave you asking, "But what do I do if the dogs performs (such and such) variation?" which is *really* important for people who don't have experience to fall back on.
They can be had from: Center for Applied Animal Behaviour #2406 2140 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704
Evans, Job Michael. (1991). _People, Pooches, & Problems_. NY: Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-783-0 (hardcover). $19.95.
Excellent suggestions for dealing with common problems between dogs and their owners. Highly recommended. [Evans was a New Skete monk.]
Milani, Myrna M., DVM. _The Weekend Dog_. Signet (Penguin Books USA, Inc.) (1985). ISBN: 0-451-15731-1 (paperback).
This book outlines practical solutions for working people with dogs. It has excellent suggestions for understanding dog behavior, particularly destructive or unwanted behavior. Gives all kinds of practical solutions to the problems of adequate exercise, adequate training, housebreaking, and so forth.
Monks of New Skete, The. _How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend_. Little, Brown & Company. 1978. ISBN: 0-316-60491-7 (hardback).
A monastery in upstate New York breeds, raises, and trains German Shepherd Dogs. On the basis of their considerable experience, they offer troubleshooting guides, discuss discipline, environmental restrictions, basic and puppy training, and much more. Extensive bibliography. The emphasis is on understanding the dog in order to communicate with it or to solve problem behavior. An excellent, well written classic.
Pryor, Karen. _Don't Shoot the Dog!_.
Introduction to inducive training. Lots of food for thought
Other websites to reference include:
http://www.canines.com/behave.html
Canines of America's Owner's Guide to Behavior offers a number of for typical problems. The articles are a little simplified and not terribly detailed, but it's worth checking out. I have no clue as to whether it's worth using their hotline and paying the $$$ for additional advice.
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/
American Dog Trainers Network offers a number of resources for the dog owner. Extensive & useful.
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