It seems no matter where you look on the internet there are always conversations about TV trainers to be found. We have a few trainers to chose from here in the states. Those include Cesar Millan of National Geographic Channel's "The Dog Whisperer", Victoria Stilwell of "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet, Andrea Arden of "Underdog to Wonderdog" on Animal Planet as well as the various trainers on "Barking Mad", also on Animal Planet. (correct me if I have forgotten anyone)
What the viewer needs to keep in mind is that most TV shows are designed as entertainment first. They will look for people that are charismatic and subjects that are dramatic. Charisma and drama are what's going to keep viewers tuned in after all. Having once hosted a show myself I can attest that a lot of editing happens after taping. Bits of the actual training may be left off the show making it look like a much quicker process or easier than it actually is. (and some of those cutting room floor bits can be necessary pieces for people trying to be able to successfully use the prescribed advice methods)
Some shows have disclaimers stating "Do not attempt those techniques without professional help". Of course this doesn't deter people who perhaps can't afford a trainer or simply ignore the warning. I do wish that people would take these disclaimers seriously. There is a reason they add them after all.
Even with the negatives, I think that the fact dog training is now all over TV is a good thing. Even if all the shows aren't what I might recommend for every owner to watch, it has put the spotlight on the owner as needing to be involved with their dog. It has gotten the message out that dogs need exercise, training, and boundaries; that dogs are not simply people in little fur coats. And the big one, just because someone has a dog with a behavior problem doesn't mean it can't be changed!
The downside to some of the shows is that now there are a lot of "armchair" dog experts. They watch a few shows and think they can solve every issue with one technique. I own a car and have watched them change the oil but that doesn't make me a car mechanic. A good trainer has studied and practiced their craft in order to best be able to help dogs and their people.
Some of the shows have great techniques on them and I really like that they show positive reinforcement does NOT equal permissive. (a myth of positive training methods) Of course as a positive trainer myself I do like that there are positive trainers on TV to point people towards so they can see both sides of training if they have only seen one side.
Yes, there is fallout from TV training, I have seen it in my own business with clients who tried a TV trainers technique and failed. Now with the addition of more training options to be seen by viewers, perhaps we will see significant changes. At least that is my hope.
What do you think? Are dog training televisions shows helpful or harmful?
For more on this topic read Gillian Ridgeway's As Seen On TV
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Sleepers Effect?
The problem is that not all the trainers featured on the television know what they are talking about and many things they say are not backed up by science. For me, that makes them not credible. For example, the only credential that Cesar Millan has is that he has a "sixth sense". The problem with watching Cesar Millan is that I might remember what he said but forgot where I got the information from. I might think it came from this website. There is something in psychology called the Sleepers Effect, which is kind of similar to what I am trying to point out. Ideas from Cesar Millan could be confused with a qualified trainer such as Andrea Arden who is a CPDT, which means she, (1) knows the basics about learning theory, ethology, etc. and (2) attends seminars given by animal behaviorists who are up to date with the recent research in regards to dog training. In addition, she is a member of APDT where she should share the same values that APDT has. I think it would only be helpful if people like Andrea Arden are featured on TV and that they make the limitations of what they are doing as clear as possible. For example, if one is demonstrating extinction, make people aware that the extinction burst is a drawback to the technique. It is not just about ignoring the dog.
Don't Forget Canada's Contribution...
Brad Pattison hosts "At The End Of My Leash" on Slice TV in Canada. His approach is obedience training for owners. Where Cesar goes after the dog for behaviour issues, Brad goes after the owners. I find his program much more practical, because I believe most problem dogs aren't "red zone" dogs but the creation of a dysfunctional home life.
My favourite part of his philosophy? "Consequently, I refuse to use treats when working with dogs and prefer to 1) interrupt a dog’s bad behaviour 2) then discipline and finally 3) reward the dog with a massage to the chest. Dogs do not reward each other with food. This is a behaviour humans have created to express their love for the dog, but it is the opposite of what would happen in the real dog world."
Have you seen these examples?
Turn off the sound and watch the dog.
http://tinyurl.com/nma3fo
or this one with sound on
http://www.truveo.com/brad-pattison-gets-annoyed/id/3013566524
Donna
Put a springer in your step!
dogs are living among humans
"Consequently, I refuse to use treats when working with dogs and prefer to 1) interrupt a dog’s bad behaviour 2) then discipline and finally 3) reward the dog with a massage to the chest. Dogs do not reward each other with food. This is a behaviour humans have created to express their love for the dog, but it is the opposite of what would happen in the real dog world"
All I can say is the real dog world is the world that our dogs are living in, which involves being members of a family that are made up of humans too. In this world, dogs mainly have to live by human rules. For example, no barking, no growling, etc. So, why not use training techniques developed by humans? Also, what does he mean by discipline? A well trained dog is a disciplined dog. Training a dog is disciplining a dog. And training should not be something bad.
OK then...
I hadn't seen the video of Pattison you posted. Its not cool to take out your frustration at an owner on a dog - ever. That said, I also didn't mean to go much beyond pointing to another example of a TV trainer.
Marie asked, "What do you think? Are dog training televisions shows helpful or harmful?" Anything to contribute to that discussion?
The examples were shared to show his training techniques and
answer the question: Are dog training television shows helpful or harmful?
I believe that these are examples of harmful training. It wasn't just frustration at the owner but clear abuse to the dog. Brad is known for his abusive style.
The first video appears to be produced for TV and the second appears to be one taped during a group session. In the first video, I believe the public might feel that this is the way to train your dog... because a "professional" does it... and that is harmful. I believe that you can create a bite using these techniques and biddability would be snuffed out.
Donna
Put a springer in your step!
Canada's Contribution I Prefer to Remember
Stanley Coren had his tv show Good Dog! that I used to watch before I even had a dog. He was so calm, patient and friendly to dogs and people. I wish they'd air reruns now that I have a dog!
Don't Forget Canada's Contribution...
I don't understand this. Dogs don't reinforce each other with a chest massage either. We aren't dogs and dogs know we aren't dogs. It's ridiculous for us to try to behave as a dog in order to train them. Just use the principles of learning theory and you'll be fine.
Canada's man
I don't understand the whole treat vs no treat thing. If done properly the dog does the behavior without it and learning theory wins in the end. I just received and read a copy of Brad's training manual from a friend. Did you know that separation anxiety could be due to your lack of an alpha status in the household? Brad thinks so. If the dog barks in the kennel you are to come back and give it a jaw correction. His pinning method is scary and I can't believe anyone would try it. I see his method as nothing more at a creative attempt to bring Kohler like methods back to the world. To closer mimick training dogs at their level I recently removed all my clothes and attempted to train a dog on all fours for class. While the dogs enjoyed it and seemed unphased, my human clients were a bit nervous wearing nothing but dog collars for an hour.
Two paws up!