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The Psychology of Dog Training
The popularity of the police dog
in Europe, and the almost unbelievable results accomplished by dog
training during the first World War inspired scientists and animal
experts to undertake the study of dog psychology for the purpose of
improving, if possible, upon the training systems then in vogue.
Successful training is possible only in the presence of perfect
understanding between the trainer and his dog. Clearly then, there can
be no such understanding without full knowledge of the dog's mental
capacity; that, plus an understanding of his character. For years
controversy has raged regarding the dog's ability to reason. And
because of the close bond of affec- tion between everyman and his dog,
many have held to what they believed to be true, that the dog can and
does reason. But I agree with those scientists and intelligent students
who claim that he cannot. I do not believe there is any such thing as
reasoning power in the dog. I believe, rather, that he merely reacts to
directions given by man. In other words, those feats of certain wonder
dogs which so often arouse astonishment and admiration are not the
result of independent thinking on the part of the animal: quite to the
contrary, they are no more than obedience to some visible or
audible sign, signal or command.
It is not my purpose to
under-estimate, or to overestimate, mental
capacity or the ability to learn which differs markedly in dogs. Some
will learn quite rapidly.
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To my best
pal, Bodo von der Muerttz
(1921-1932);
and to the 3,000 pupils in my
dog
training classes in Boston, Massachusetts,
from
1928 to 1940, this page is dedicated.
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All, however, need signs or commands. How
often we hear someone exclaim: "My dog understands every word I say to
him!" But he doesn't. Let me explain. A dog responds to like sounding
commands having different meanings but a similar inflection of the
voice. For example, a dog that has been trained to the command "Heel,"
if ordered "meal," "reel, "steal" or "veal," will obey as readily,
despite the fact that he has been told to do something entirely
different or that he has heard an expression devoid of any meaning at
all as a command word. That, I
consider, proves that the dog cannot think independently.
Again, in support of my contention is the fact that the dog will not
alone obey like sounding words given as commands, but that he will
observe and interpret various tones of the voice with apparent
disregard for the words employed. For instance, a dog caught in the
midst of a destructive act and given a severe scolding in a sharp tone
of voice will slink away with his tail between his legs; whereas under
exactly the same circumstances, he will continue his destructiveness if
admonished in a soft, loving tone of voice.
Still another example is concerned with many dogs which had been
trained in Europe' and which, when brought to me, did not understand
English words. It was of course comparatively easy to change into
English the complete list of commands, signs and words so that the dogs
could be re-trained in that language. I soon discovered however that a
dog trained to the order "Gib Pfote" (shake hands) would not respond to
English, but that when I offered my hand he would respond at once.
Though he could not understand the words, he did recognize the sign
which, like the inflection of the voice, is the same in any language.
Further proof of the dog's lack of reasoning power is supplied by the
dog that lies in front of the fireplace. The moment the log burns down
he seeks a warmer spot. Other logs, close at hand, have only to be put
on the fire to keep it burning, and this the dog upon innumerable
occasions has seen his master do. Yet he will not do it nor can he be
taught to do it for himself. If he can reason, then why does he not do
exactly what his master did in order to provide more heat! Thus far in
our analysis we have discussed the voice as a means of attracting the
dog's attention through the ear. The voice then is for his sense of
HEARING. Next is the sign for his sense of SIGHT; and third, the
quality of sensitiveness or perception through FEELING. On these three
senses we will build our entire scheme of training. Later on we will
take up the sense of smell for trailing. But first we must have an
obedient dog, so we will use the three senses—hearing, sight and
feeling—in order to lay the foundation stone of all training which is
OBEDIENCE.
Bearing in mind that our object is to train a dumb animal for
companionship we can, by appeal through these three senses, accomplish
great things. We can, for instance, save the dog much unnecessary
punishment brought about by our own impatience: we can save ourselves
the physical strain of the dog's constant pulling upon the leash. True,
we do not want a mechanical robot, rendering blind obedience to our
every command, but we do want a real companion as close to us in
understanding as man and dog can ever be. The three senses, then,
operate in combination by our use of short commands issued in varying
intonations; by certain important signs of the hands made in
conjunction with the voice, and by appeal to the sense of feeling by
encouragement or punishment.
Perhaps right here I should caution the reader against the wrong
impression which the word punishment may connote. Because punishment in
this discussion does not mean whipping or starving the dog, I dislike
to use the expression at all. It signifies, rather, correction, so for
present purposes let us employ the term correction as more exactly
indicative.
Like bright colored threads predominating in a pattern, the use of the
three mentioned senses will follow through the whole of our training.
And just how important the combination of the three becomes, we will
realize when we see how the dog associates with HEARING, commands given
by means of words; with SEEING, commands given by means of signs; and
with FEELING, such things as petting and leash correction. Were the
trainer to disregard even one of these senses, he would straightway
find out why he, or the dog, failed in one or another lesson.
Particularly are there signs, frequently almost unnoticeable to the
layman and the amateur, which will mean the success or failure of the
lesson. And what of the trainer himself! There are three fundamentals
with which he must be concerned—PATIENCE, CONCENTRATION and SERIOUSNESS
OF PURPOSE.
Patience is probably the trainer's most necessary tool. Nervousness,
quick temper or the slightest impatience never go hand in hand with
successful training, and a person subject to any one of these failings
may well think twice before he undertakes to train a dog. Easier far is
it to spoil a dog than to correct him afterwards. Of almost equal
importance is the matter of concentration. No one in the whole wide
world can train a dog and carry on a conversation at the same time ...
it would be like attempting to drive a car while reading a newspaper.
It cannot be done. Immediately sensing a trainer's divided attention,
the dog will respond to it not by implicit obedience but by a type of
obedience perhaps moreto his own liking. And the trainer, not quite
aware of the pupil's mistakes, can never obtain correct results. So he
places the blame on someone else; rarely on himself. If you would train
a dog, then, forget everything that goes on about you: if you would do
a really commendable job, CONCENTRATE.
Many times have I been criticized for apparent rudeness when I have
refused to take part in conversations during the training period. But a
serious trainer must realize how much is involved in schooling a dog
untried, and of character unknown: throughout each lesson,he must study
his pupil without interruption, and his attention must be given
equally, in succession, to each and every dog. Training periods are
comparatively short, hence it is not unduly difficult to concentrate
entirely upon the dog in hand.
Another consideration vital to successful training is SERIOUSNESS OF
PURPOSE. Ask yourself whether you are really determined to train your
dog. Is this dog under your hand to become a well behaved animal? Or is
he going to be a spoiled pest, inclined to destructiveness; vicious
with people, an eternal barker, constantly committing nuisance! Once
you have decided to train your dog, study of this website will
constitute the initial step toward that end. Then study it. Don't just
read it and forget about it.. Study it, and study it again and
again. You will find that the work of training entails some sacrifices,
but they are sacrifices worth while. For in addition to the pleasure
derived from participation in organized obedience test competition, you
will discover before very long that your dog is admired and respected
because he is so well behaved. And if you are sufficiently interested
to continue on with your training, who knows but that this dog of yours
may some day prove to be a real, front page hero by virtue of some
outstanding act! Dogs owned by several of my pupils have already served
the public good by helping the police to find lost persons, and by
trailing and so leading to the capture of criminals. Founded upon a
thoroughly tried and approved system, the patient training of a dog by
his beloved master is a worthy and satisfying work which not alone
actually benefits the dog but which reflects credit upon him and upon
his owner. All this at a sacrifice of but fifteen or, at the most,
thirty minutes a day!
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