Traditional Training
Is a trained dog a safe dog? It depends on your definition of a trained dog. The most common dog classes around America focus on certain skills in their classes. Mainly sit, down, stay, look, walk on leash and other commands. Once the dog or puppy comes out of the class it should have the basics mastered. To the owner and society the dog is now "trained" and would probably be considered safe.
What our current puppy and our dog classes lack is any type of focus on social enrichment, or socialization. Some instructors touch base on handling and other social exercises with the puppies, but after the class our puppies become socially isolated in our Midwest homes. Current dog classes are even worse. Read most dog class descriptions and you will notice no social interaction between the dogs. Trainers cite, safety, liability or a simply tell the students dogs should never be off leash in public. See My Goals for your dog for my opinion of dogs and leashes.
I think any dog class should include some amount of social enrichment training. I would include 15 minutes of off leash play in every dog class for those dogs that could handle it. It was my time to start teaching my clients some level of awareness of how dogs communicate and react. Another class involved meeting in a different location in Kansas City for six different class sessions in a variety of environments.
Dogs do need a series of control commands, it's crucial. This can be as simple as a look command, stop, sit or even a solid recall. A control command is something that brings the dog's attention back to when you really need it. If your dog would fit the definition of "trained", but is still out of control in particular situations or reacts dangerously to certain events, then your dog needs social enrichment. The amount or type of social enrichment depends on the dog.
Examples
I recently met a dog who in all practical sense appeared to be a well trained and well socialized dog. In his interactions with people and dogs, I did not see any major issues. However, when a child approached the dog at his level he froze and growled. As a result, I worked on re-creating that same situation the best I could. I approached the dog at his level like a child. It did not solicit the same response. Unfortunately, a month later this dog exhibited the same behavior. What happened in this dog's life to make him respond this way to such a particular set of events? More than likely, the dog has had very unpleasant events associated with children directly in his face. He learned to respond with a growl.
Another recent example is an 18 month old American Bulldog/Pit mix who is well trained, but has met only 5 dogs in his life. This dog does not have the social skills to meet and play with other dogs. The next several dog interactions will probably determine how he will react. If the interactions are unpleasant and he learns that aggression solves the problem, he will become aggressive. If the next several dog experiences are pleasant, there's a better chance he becomes a social, safe and interactive dog.
What is Social Enrichment?
Social Enrichment is introducing your dog to a wide range of events from other dogs to strange environments. The goal of social enrichment is to decrease the impulsivity or reactivity of the dog in new situations. The article Make Your Dog A Perfect 10 provides the steps to begin this process. Socially stunted dogs are more reactive and reactive dogs are prone to be more aggressive. The definition of reactive in this case includes: barking, fleeing, phobic responses and even helplessness. Any dog who is overly stressed in a situation is more dangerous than the dog who adapts to the new situation and relaxes. For the shelters social enrichment is a must, to both to maintain and increase social adaptability. Additionally, by introducing shelter dogs to a variety of social interactions shelters learn more about each particular dog and what their needs are. For owners, it will create a safer dog and decrease the chance of dangerous surprises with their dogs. It's never too late to begin a social enrichment program for your dog, but it takes a small amount of work on the humans part.
KC Dog Guy
www.kcdogguy.com
Is a trained dog a safe dog? It depends on your definition of a trained dog. The most common dog classes around America focus on certain skills in their classes. Mainly sit, down, stay, look, walk on leash and other commands. Once the dog or puppy comes out of the class it should have the basics mastered. To the owner and society the dog is now "trained" and would probably be considered safe.
What our current puppy and our dog classes lack is any type of focus on social enrichment, or socialization. Some instructors touch base on handling and other social exercises with the puppies, but after the class our puppies become socially isolated in our Midwest homes. Current dog classes are even worse. Read most dog class descriptions and you will notice no social interaction between the dogs. Trainers cite, safety, liability or a simply tell the students dogs should never be off leash in public. See My Goals for your dog for my opinion of dogs and leashes.
I think any dog class should include some amount of social enrichment training. I would include 15 minutes of off leash play in every dog class for those dogs that could handle it. It was my time to start teaching my clients some level of awareness of how dogs communicate and react. Another class involved meeting in a different location in Kansas City for six different class sessions in a variety of environments.
Dogs do need a series of control commands, it's crucial. This can be as simple as a look command, stop, sit or even a solid recall. A control command is something that brings the dog's attention back to when you really need it. If your dog would fit the definition of "trained", but is still out of control in particular situations or reacts dangerously to certain events, then your dog needs social enrichment. The amount or type of social enrichment depends on the dog.
Examples
I recently met a dog who in all practical sense appeared to be a well trained and well socialized dog. In his interactions with people and dogs, I did not see any major issues. However, when a child approached the dog at his level he froze and growled. As a result, I worked on re-creating that same situation the best I could. I approached the dog at his level like a child. It did not solicit the same response. Unfortunately, a month later this dog exhibited the same behavior. What happened in this dog's life to make him respond this way to such a particular set of events? More than likely, the dog has had very unpleasant events associated with children directly in his face. He learned to respond with a growl.
Another recent example is an 18 month old American Bulldog/Pit mix who is well trained, but has met only 5 dogs in his life. This dog does not have the social skills to meet and play with other dogs. The next several dog interactions will probably determine how he will react. If the interactions are unpleasant and he learns that aggression solves the problem, he will become aggressive. If the next several dog experiences are pleasant, there's a better chance he becomes a social, safe and interactive dog.
What is Social Enrichment?
Social Enrichment is introducing your dog to a wide range of events from other dogs to strange environments. The goal of social enrichment is to decrease the impulsivity or reactivity of the dog in new situations. The article Make Your Dog A Perfect 10 provides the steps to begin this process. Socially stunted dogs are more reactive and reactive dogs are prone to be more aggressive. The definition of reactive in this case includes: barking, fleeing, phobic responses and even helplessness. Any dog who is overly stressed in a situation is more dangerous than the dog who adapts to the new situation and relaxes. For the shelters social enrichment is a must, to both to maintain and increase social adaptability. Additionally, by introducing shelter dogs to a variety of social interactions shelters learn more about each particular dog and what their needs are. For owners, it will create a safer dog and decrease the chance of dangerous surprises with their dogs. It's never too late to begin a social enrichment program for your dog, but it takes a small amount of work on the humans part.
KC Dog Guy
www.kcdogguy.com
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