Recent NewsPet owners are often confused by the differences between obedience training and behavior modification. Your Columbus Ohio kennel staff at Noah’s Too Pet Resort can help with both by providing obedience training classes and giving you tips and suggestions on how to conduct behavior modification.
Obedience training is the bedrock for controlling your pet during times of stress. These are the basic commands every dog should be trained to immediately follow, like Sit, Stay, Down and Come. These are essential commands that could save your pet’s life in an emergency. These commands can be taught individually at home or in a class setting like the training classes offered at Columbus Ohio kennels, including Noah’s Too. Obedience training strengthens the bond between pet and owner and essentially teaches you how to communicate in your dog’s language. While your dog is enjoying his day at doggie daycare, the staff is routinely strengthening your dog’s obedience training.
Behavior modification, on the other hand, can rarely be worked out in a class setting or during a doggie daycare play date. This is breaking your pet of a bad habit, or creating a new positive behavior. For example, if your dog is in the habit of running off, your Come command may stop and return the dog to you, however, the recall command does nothing to address the running off in the first place. Or, if your dog is aggressive, you may be able to “call the dog off” but again, it does nothing to address the aggression or its possible cause. If your dog is fearful of something and you can get him to sit or lay down, it will not change the dog’s fear response.
Behavior modification attempts to address the underlying reasons for problem behaviors. This is done by identifying, analyzing and appropriately reconditioning the dog’s outward physical reactions to its internal physiological and psychological state. It is the underlying physiological and psychological state that behavior modification alters and which obedience training cannot address. Although there are similarities among obedience training and behavior modification, behavior modification differs in goal, outcome and reward structure. It IS hard work and there are no quick fixes.
The vast majority of behavior problems are the result of inappropriate communication, over-permissiveness (spoiling) and/or anthropomorphism (treating the dog as it were a human). Other times, problems are simply the result of unfortunate relationship dynamics. Most problem behaviors are resolvable with some education and hard work on the part of the owner.
First as an owner, you must understand that dogs come genetically predisposed to behave in certain ways. Some dogs have higher propensities to be aggressive, fearful, “dominant” subordinate, etc. The level at which these behaviors present themselves depends on many factors. So, how we love, raise and interact with our dogs will have a huge impact on how the dog develops and what behaviors grow and become problematic.
There are a number of considerations behavior specialists look at when dealing with behavior problems. First, any medical factors and environmental issues need to be ruled out. Assuming that the dog is not misbehaving due to one of these factors, the next consideration is the dog’s breed or mix and any predisposition the dog may have toward a particular set or pattern of behavior. From that foundation, the owner, with the help and guidance of a qualified trainer or behavioral specialist if necessary, must develop a consistent program to re-condition the dog’s responses.
The friendly, professional staff at Noah’s Too can recommend the right training program for your dog’s needs. If you understand and work to address the root of the problem in an educated, consistent, clear, and humane manner, you will be rewarded with an enjoyable companion for years to come.
Tags: dog training, doggie daycare, pet ownership