We love our doggo besties, but when it comes to training them, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Here are eight myths you shouldn’t listen to.
1. BULL BREEDS ARE DANGEROUS DOGS
Whenever there is news of a dog bite, almost invariably the dog breed is mentioned, but usually only if the breed is a Staffordshire or pit bull terrier. During times of distress and sadness, we instinctively look for someone or something to blame. It is the human condition that we rarely find blame within ourselves. Therefore, the dog perpetrator unfortunately falls mutual victim when they bite someone, particularly if they are a bull breed.
A study in America in 2011, investigated the aggressiveness of pit bull-type dogs found a clear relationship between a guardian’s aggressive tendencies and the dog’s behaviour. Those owners who did not display aggressive behaviours or personality traits and owned pit bulls were deemed comparatively trainable.
This does not mean that bull breeds are not potentially dangerous. Any dog can bite, and I imagine dogs of every breed have done so. Dogs may be bred for a certain utility, including chasing and fighting, but that does not mean an individual of that breed will display those behaviours. There is no replicable evidence that suggests otherwise. There is a great deal of responsibility we as humans have. How our dogs behave should directly come back to us. Now that is a law I would like to see introduced.
2. MY DOG BIT ANOTHER DOG. NOW I’M WORRIED THEY’RE DANGEROUS
While nobody can ever guarantee that any dog will never bite, some element of common sense should be allowed when determining risk. The motivations of dog bites are usually either to defend or attack. On much rarer occasions, a dog will bite to inflict harm or kill the other dog. According to the Moyer classification of aggression – a system used to distinguish between different types of aggression in domestic animals – this is called predatory aggression. In these instances, the dog is dangerous, because their motivation is to end a life. I don’t refer to these dogs are being bad dogs, but I do caution people who have dogs with extremely high prey drives.
It’s worth understanding the different types of aggression classified in the Moyer system. Instrumental aggression is a learned behaviour in which aggression results in a desired outcome, e.g., snapping and biting to protect a food resource. It is difficult to say whether this behaviour means your dog is aggressive, because while your dog has displayed aggression, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are inherently aggressive.
Aggression can also come out of fear. This form of aggression is typically used to protect themselves against what they are afraid of, usually through a past experience. Your dog is six times more likely to bite someone in a vet clinic, than outside of those four walls. Again, I don’t think that means they’re aggressive.
Territorial aggression, in turn, almost exclusively occurs on home turf, although home turf is always determined by the dog, and there may be other locations in which your dog will aggressively protect their area. We expect our dogs to understand what a threat to their territory is, and what isn’t. How on earth can we possibly expect that from them? If we don’t think our dogs will understand the context of the visitor, or the environment, then it is our responsibility to protect them from themselves. If we fail, we fail them and everyone else around.
3. I’VE HAD DOGS ALL MY LIFE; THEREFORE, I KNOW MORE THAN EVERYONE ELSE
There is evidence that being a long-term dog guardian is actually a hindrance in terms of responsible pet guardianship and good behaviour. Moreover, it was shown that having experience with a dog without any theoretical knowledge of dog behaviour may be a detriment to interpreting canine language. People who are first-time dog guardians are less likely to raise dogs with problem behaviours, including separation anxiety. There is always more to learn. The more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know.
4. I NEED TO GO THROUGH THE DOOR BEFORE MY DOG
This is one of my favourite myths to debunk, because it is so ridiculous. There is absolutely no reason why a dog should be expected to stand back and allow their owner to walk through a door before them. If this is important in the realms of respected leadership, then owners should also get in the car before their dog, go to bed before their dog and have a drink of water before their dog.
There are so many arbitrary and unexplainable rules in dog training land. In any field of psychology, it is imperative to be open to change, aligned with new evidence as it surfaces. But what I find most disheartening is that the majority of, or all old-school training methods never had any sound science behind them in the first place. No, you do not need to go through the door before your dog.
“There are so many arbitrary and unexplainable rules in dog training land.”
5. I SHOULD ALWAYS EAT BEFORE MY DOG EATS
Another one of my favourite myths to debunk. To be fair, this myth was based on some evidence, which was through observation of captive wolves when eating. It had been seen that ‘dominant’ dogs would have access to the food before the subordinates, which assisted in maintaining a strict hierarchy and thus avoiding a breakdown in order. While hierarchies play an essential role in the social cohesion of thousands of animal species, captive animals are rarely representative for emulating behaviours in the wild.
Eating a meal before you feed your dog does not indicate to them that you are their leader. In fact, it may be more harmful than useful. Interestingly, studies show that dogs fed consistently after their owners have eaten are significantly more likely to display territorial aggression. This could be due to the fact that the dog is highly aroused, watching their owner eat first. Making a dog sit and wait for her dinner, as a means of the owner showing ‘control’ over their dog, could also increase the dog’s likelihood to defend that resource in the future.
6. MY DOG SHOULD NEVER SLEEP ON MY BED
A debate that sparks much discussion. Anyone who knows me will attest to my dogs being welcome on my bed each night. Often, they start on their own bean bags, tucked in and comfortable. But, as the night becomes colder, so do they and I usually find one of their heads sharing my pillow, and the other under the covers at the end of the bed. Although sweet, this behaviour is mostly due a dog’s innate utilitarianism. If they get cold, they seek warmth. If they are uncertain, they seek comfort. Those are the two main values to a bed that you sleep in: warmth and comfort. In truth, isn’t that what we all seek in our own beds? Whether we are sleeping alongside someone, or alone, we all want to feel safe and loved.
Dogs and humans aren’t that different. Any trainer who furiously fights against allowing your dog on the bed will probably be of the dominance mindset: that is, if you let your dog on your bed, then they are on the same ‘level’ as you. But dogs do not perceive us as a member of the pack that they want to take over and dominate.
“Dogs do not perceive us as a member of the pack that they want to take over and dominate”
7. LETTING MY DOG WIN AT A COMPETITIVE GAME MAKES THEM DOMINANT
If you insist on beating a dog at a game, including tug of war, every single time, then you are not engaging in a mutual relationship with your dog. This doesn’t mean that you do not moderate the engagement, and choose games which your dog can handle well, without overreacting or becoming too hyperreactive. It is important that you allow your dog to release predatory, exploratory and physical energy. Games are excellent for this because you can control the outcome. Most of the time, you might cue your dog to give the tug toy back, but in exchange you immediately return it for another round. Your dog learns that when they give it up, the next game is even better, instead of the fun being over.
For me with my clients, ending a game is best done with your dog on a winning note. In other words, as long as it is safe, allow your dog to win the last game of tug of war, with a cue such as ‘Finish!’ then walk away calmly. If you win on the last round and your dog is highly motivated, that may be an unnecessary additive to frustration. Building frustration defeats the purpose of play with your dog.
8. TAKING FOOD AWAY FROM MY DOG MAKES THEM RESPECT ME
Please don’t do this. When eating, dogs should always be left alone in peace to eat the food they have worked for. There should never be a threat from you, nor should this be a means for you to arbitrarily test your dominance. Taking your dog’s food from them is dangerous and disrespectful. Additionally, it diffuses the trust your dog is building with you. If there is no trust or respect in the relationship, what sort of relationship is this going to be? Resource guarding is a serious problem with many dogs, often exacerbated by the need of the owner to show their dog who’s boss. There might be great power in being able to control another sentient being, but there is far greater power in not controlling them, and having them follow you anyway.
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This article is an edited extract from The Rescue Dog by Laura Vissaritis. Published by Penguin Random House Australia. |
