The intent of this blog is to share the latest happenings at camp yellow dog
and help facilitate a deeper understanding and connection with your pet(s). If your pet has health or behavioural issues we always recommend contacting your vet and/or a certified trainer/behaviourist. |
Did you know that in Canada anyone can call themselves a dog trainer?
If you didn't, you aren't alone. In Canada dog training is an unregulated industry. In fact, most pet service providers in Canada aren't required to have any previous experience or education in order to care for your pet. Scary right?! The onus is on each pet guardian to do the required research. As with most things dog related (ie. raw food, when to spay or neuter your pet, rescue organization versus breeder) the information can be overwhelming. Everyone has an opinion and they're more than eager to share it. So where do you begin? Talking with friends and acquaintances can be one place to start. Seeking the advice of your vet is another. However nothing is more important than talking to the source and knowing what questions to ask a potential trainer or behaviourist. Your pet's well being is in your hands. Take your time and choose wisely. I promise it will be worth it. The BCSPCA has compiled this very helpful checklist for choosing a trainer (see below). For more information, visit their website. Our favourite trainers are Bravo Dog Training & Behaviour Consulting and Cowichan Canine. Visit Bravo Dog and Cowichan Canine for examples of professionals who checks all the boxes. 1.) Training methodWhat to look for
What to avoid
2. ) TrainerWhat to look for
What to avoid
3.) EducationWhat to look for
What to avoid
4. ) RespectfulWhat to look for
What to avoid
5.) Observe a classWhat to look for
What to avoid
6. ) Consumer alertDog training is unregulatedThis means anyone can call themselves a “professional” or “humane” trainer with no education after watching some online videos or by taking some courses. As a consumer of dog training you need to be aware that training methods and tools can be misused, ineffective or cause harm. You must ask a dog trainer for transparency. What are the techniques they are using and instructing you to use on your dog. Ask them to describe their methods and ask if there are less harmful alternatives. Get a written consent form. Ask all trainers:
I don’t feel comfortable with my trainer’s techniquesAsk questions
Side-effects
When a dog is fearful or stressed it makes it hard for them to learn. Think of when you were learning a new language or how to play piano. How much would you learn if you were stressed or afraid?
Note: The BC SPCA’s AnimalKind accreditation is currently piloting standards for dog training. 7.) No guaranteesWhat to look for
What to avoid
8. ) VaccinationsWhat to look for
Check with your veterinarian to ensure they’re comfortable with the vaccines required for class (both for adult dogs and especially puppies). What to avoid
9. ) Problem behavioursSome behaviour problems are caused by underlying health issues. Contact your veterinarian if you see changes in your dog’s behaviour. What to look for
What to avoid
Important to remember
Adapted from American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour AVSAB ‘How to Chose a Trainer’. ![]() Have you ever been somewhere waiting in line and had a person cozy right up behind you to the point you can actually feel them invading your space? If you're at all like me it probably made you feel uncomfortable, even irritated or angry. Did you move up a little hoping they would get the hint? Did you give them "the look"? Did you turn and politely ask them to give you a little more space? or...did you wheel around and punch them right in the kisser? Which option seems like the best one (assuming you want a positive outcome)? Can you see where I'm going with this? When dogs feel nervous or scared most of them will give a number of subtle, and not so subtle, signs to indicate they're uncomfortable.
Wouldn't most of us prefer to be told we're making someone uncomfortable rather than having them punch us in the nose without warning? dogs may not use speech the way humans do, but they have very clear ways of communicating with us. IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND their BODY LANGUAGE AND RESPECT WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO TELL US. If a dog growls, it's very likely they have already shown many of the behaviours listed above and we just haven't noticed or understood. So what happens if a dog is continually punished when they growl? They learn that growling equals punishment. Dogs that are punished for growling can become dogs that revert to more serious behaviours in order to cope with discomfort or fear, and they often do so without warning. So what should you do if your dog growls? Don't yell, yank their leash, or punish them. Instead, immediately remove them from whatever is the source of their stress. This article offers some sound advice regarding what to do if your dog growls. If you aren't comfortable making these changes on your own, you're having difficulty determining the cause of your dog's stress, your dog continues to growl, or their behaviour escalates, consult a trained professional. taking the wrong action will only make matters worse for your dog and for you. Next week's blog post will cover how to go about choosing the right pet professional. your dog's well being depends on it! |