Nature Seeks Harmony, Not Confrontation, continued. Samantha, who is a proponent of balanced-based training
and uses all four quadrants, believes that whatever methods are used will depend on how a dog is going to learn best. “Take the emotions out of the quadrants’ argument and
don’t humanize the methodology. When trainers only enforce a quadrant of operant conditioning that they are comfortable with, is that being fair to the dog’s successful rehabilitation? We should remember to do what’s best for the dog so that they can learn to coexist with us.” Some dogs do great with positive-only reinforcement,
while other dogs learn from different training methods. Punishment is not always painful. “We can use positive punish- ment utilizing a training collar. We can use negative punish- ment by withholding a desirable stimulus,” said Samantha. “But, what does a positive-only reinforcement trainer do with a dog who isn’t motivated to train with food? The dog is deprived of food. Is that doing no harm? Is that positive? When we’re open to using all four quadrants, we’re able to stand back and look at the big picture. What drives a dog? What are the dog’s trig- gers?”
While there are trainers who are cruel, and board and train
facilities doing some awful things, Samantha doesn’t believe a national certification program is going to help. “I am aware of the movement for mandatory testing and
certification. It would hurt a lot of good trainers who aren’t already certified, but who have lots of experience and are doing some amazing things with dogs.” The most affordable certification courses are the positive
plus training programs. “Anyone can be certified after complet- ing an online course. Whereas, a master trainer certification costs thousands of dollars and takes up to a year to complete,” said Samantha. Will a certification, regulating the industry and/or banning certain tools stop the abusive treatment of dogs in the pet industry? “I don’t believe it will,” Samantha told us. “There are inherently evil people and these movements, while well-intentioned, will only send those people underground to continue their heinous habits. It will harm those people in the industry who have demonstrated positive results with dogs, and who are open to listening to continue to learn and improve their skills.” Samantha does, however, believe strongly in accountabili-
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ty. Pasadena Pet Motel has a kennel permit with Pinellas County, which gives Pinellas County Animal Services open access to the business. “They very frequently drop in, unan- nounced, and check every dog we have in the kennel, includ- ing our board and train dogs,” said Samantha. “We have always passed with flying colors, and I do take pride in that. More than half the other businesses in our area who do board and train do not have kennel permits,” adds Samantha. “That’s one of the things to remind your readers to look for when researching a board and train kennel.” Sara Reusche, CPDT-KA, CVT, ANWI, owner of
Paws Abilities Dog Training in Rochester, Minnesota. “The dog will decide what force or aversive means,” wrote
COME VI S I T US IN SARASOTA 386 St. Armands Circle | 941.960.2795
66 THE NEW BARKER
Sara. “We can’t always know that, until we try a given training intervention. Is it forceful to use body blocks to keep my dog from lunging at a passing bike?”
www.TheNewBarker.com
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