A woman called the other day asking for help with training her dog. The dog had quite a few issues going on, barking, separation anxiety, etc., but the biggest issue from a behavioral standpoint was the fact that the moment she's put into a crate, she'd soil herself ("the dog, not me", the woman helpfully clarified).
The woman then informed me that it upset her when her dog did that, but her husband wouldn't let her spank the dog so that "the dog would know she was doing a bad thing".
Yeah....I don't know who needs to hear this, but:
DON'T SPANK YOUR DOG!!
I know; silly me thinking that this didn't need to be explicitly stated, but punishment is not a form of healthy behavioral therapy for dogs. Her dog didn't do anything "bad", her dog was anxious, and reacted as a dog typically will in that type of situation: poorly. Her dog is has severe anxiety, and rather than communicating with her dog and helping her dog through a difficult situation, she decided that the dog needed to be punished for having anxiety.
A few more bon mots from the woman, and I soon realized that "Suzy Stockholm" would not be a good fit for the Piloting Method of dog and puppy training. She was bent on dominating her dog, and controlling her dog's behaviors, whereas Darwin Dog's Piloting Method is structured around shaping and guiding a dog's behaviors, rather than domination.
Traditional methods often emphasized dominance over your dog, and control through physical force and fear. In stark contrast, Piloting is a force-free method of dog training that centers around communication rather than domination.
Let's explore how this non-forceful philosophy enhances the life quality of our canine friends, while eliminating the frustration and tediousness of traditional dog training.
Healthy Dogs: Communication Over Coercion
The ‘Piloting’ method aims to learn and understand your dog's unique language. This understanding helps owners guide their dogs through potentially scary or stressful situations without resorting to force or intimidation.
“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” ―Rumi
Rather than creating a rigid hierarchy, this method fosters a bond built on mutual respect and trust.
Nurturing a Trust-Based Relationship with Your Dog
At the heart of the force-free Piloting philosophy is the nurturing of trust between you and your dog. By using a mix of positive reinforcement, along with gentle negation of unwanted behaviors, instead of force, an unwavering bond between owner and pet is built, where your furry friend feels safe, respected, and heard.
Learning your dog’s cues and signals can drastically improve your relationship, preventing miscommunications that often lead to stress and frustration. Dogs thrive when they feel secure and trusted, leading to fewer behavioral issues and a happier dog overall.
Impact of Force-Free Training on Dog's Mental Health
Animals respond better when they feel safe and secure, not threatened or dominated. Traditional training methods based on force often breed anxiety, fear, and even aggression.
Such methods disregard a dog’s feelings and ultimately undermine their mental health.
Conversely, the Piloting method rooted in a force-free approach fosters trust, which is critical in establishing a healthy and respectful relationship with your dog. When we show them what to do rather than compelling them, dogs learn that their choices have consequences – leading to more predictable and reliable behaviors. The confidence built by these repeated successes will leave your pet happier and more balanced in the long run.
Physical Benefits of Force-Free Dog Training
The physical health of dogs subjected to harsh, force-based training can also suffer. Constant stress and fear from physical punishments can weaken the immune system, leading to numerous health issues.
On the contrary, force-free training cultivates a calmer demeanor in dogs and reduces the risk of stress-induced health complications. Their quality of life dramatically improves because they feel safer, more secure, and happier.
Encouraging a Better Bond Between You and Your Dog
Communication is essential in building a healthy relationship with your dog. When you communicate your expectations without causing fear, they will learn to understand and respect you better. This improved understanding can deepen your bond and enhance your interaction with your pet.
Shock collars, prong collars, and e-collars are the canine version of "stop your crying or I'll give you something to cry about".
At Darwin Dogs, we always encourage patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement as tools for creating better-behaved dogs. Using the Piloting Method, we can equip you with the skills needed to understand and positively influence your dog's behavior, fostering a healthier and happier pet and a stronger bond between the two of you, without the frustration of traditional dog training methods.
Choosing force-free dog training is choosing kindness, understanding, and love for our four-legged friends. It doesn't merely teach our dogs to behave – it guides them towards being healthier, happier, and balanced companions.
As the leading dog training organization in Cleveland since 2008, Darwin Dogs remains dedicated to providing the most humane, effective, and enjoyable training methods for our beloved canine companions. With force-free training, you're setting up your furry friend for a lifetime of happiness.
The love for our four-legged companions demands us to train them through kindness and empathy, not fear and punishment. Let's vow to use the Force-Free training approach and enhance our relationship with our furry family members. It's not just about obedience; it's about nurturing an enriching, rewarding relationship.
Unlike traditional training methods that use force and punishment, the Piloting Method utilizes clear communication and sensible positive reinforcement to shape desired behavior. By learning to understanding your dog, and why they exhibit the behaviors they do, you help them learn in a loving and effective way.
The Piloting approach to dog training puts you in the 'pilot's seat' where you're guiding your dog towards good behavior instead of constantly battling their natural instincts. Through the use of clear communication you can steer your dog towards a successful understanding of your expectations. With this type of guidance, you give your dog the opportunity to learn and understand the loving boundaries you've set, improving both your dog’s behavior and the bond between you two.
In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog -Hoagland
The Piloting Method can also help you deal with behavioral issues in your dog. From housebreaking a new puppy to managing destructive behaviors in an older dog, this method is adaptable to any situation. Working with experienced trainers at Darwin Dogs can assist in addressing these behavioral issues and tailoring a training plan specifically for your dog.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to simplify the dog training process with the Piloting Method. By using this approach, not only will your dog training experience be less stressful, but also the results will be faster and more enduring. Enrich your bond with your canine companion by making the switch to the Piloting Method.
Learn more about our Piloting method of dog and puppy training here.
Find out more about our private in home 30 Day Best Dog Ever and 30 Day Best Puppy Ever training packages here.
Have questions about our puppy training or dog training?
Kerry Stack
Darwin Dogs
Dog Training and Puppy Training
Located in Cleveland, Ohio