Why are outdated, problematic dog training methods are on the rise on social media right now?
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32 Comments on “Why are outdated, problematic dog training methods are on the rise on social media right now?”
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I absolutely think it’s true. It feels like I’m back in 2005 again when youtube was just launched and a select few trainers were making +R content but the majority of new owners were getting their training methodology from TV. As much as I think it’s a huge shame I do think a crop of that group of new owners will feel in their gut that it isn’t the method they want to go with and those people will end up finding people like you as their resource. I was lucky to get my first dog while I was getting my education in (among other things) dog behavior, psychology, etc and my teachers taught +R. I would’ve been so lost without it, especially since I got her in 2004.
Why? People are too lazy to think. Thinking hurts. So they want the 100% quick and easy solution within the frame of a Youtube short. Or tictoc or whatever. The attention span of ordinary people converges asymptotically to zero.
Isn’t that how our society rolls? we want a miracle pill for everything.
@Bele Bele Miracles and magic just do not exsist. Never had, never will.
Does his wife ever get permission to give her opinions or to speak? Sad!
Yes she does. If you were subscribed to his channel you would know.
She is definitely the more intelligent one! Why do you have a way of blabbing away! I think she does a really good job of steering the conversations in productive ways during these lives.
No one other than retirees really have the time to spend hours a day training their dogs.
Are you kidding me? In which universe has anyone said you have to spend the whole day training a dog? No lunar eclipse, you are not listening to ANY dog trainer. Not even the ones that are not certified and use aversive methods recommend to spend hrs or the whole day training a dog. You are not listening.
I think it depends on your goal. Zak does spend a great deal of time training his dogs. And it certainly shows. However, I think you can have a perfectly delightful and fairly well-trained dog with 5 to 15 minutes of training per day, with taking the dog “out” to different places a couple of times per week.
@Jan Hankins good point his dog needs to stay exercised, busy and mentally stimulated more than most dogs.
That would be ideal. You just can’t buy a young puppy and then leave for an 8 or more hour job. It took me 8 months to house train my pup and I work from home.
Absolutely. I knew I never had the time to give a dog a good life while I was working so never considered getting one.
I think that’s part of it. I also think a lot of the problems we see in the “COVID dogs” is lack of socialization. People really couldn’t get the dogs out and socialize them because of the pandemic. In addition, I think the aversive methods show a “quick fix” (most people don’t know the difference between a dog who’s totally shut down and one who is confident and well-trained). People are drawn to the whole idea that they can fix the problem in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, you can’t fix the problem in a matter of minutes. You can shut the dog down and suppress the behavior in that time, but you simply cannot address the reason for the behavior and teach the dog how to react differently to the stimulus that triggers the behavior. That will take time–no matter what the balanced trainers tell you–in my opinion.
I love Dog Daddy & his methods work, yes many owners have gotten dogs during Covid & forgot or were unable to socialize them, but we had plenty of aggressive dog problems before, usually dogs on chains bought to deter theft or thieves. Dogs must be actively socialized!
FYI, you should spend a few minutes on Google researching him just so you are aware of what you are supporting. Good luck!
@Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution I’ve been to his training-excellent!
I got my moyen poodle in October of 2021; I spent as much time researching training methods and socialization as most people would for their first kid. After extensive research I chose a two week board and train program with a balanced trainer at 3.5 months and at 5.5 months. Some of us are well educated people who made that decision early on and don’t regret it. One thing I can tell you with 100% certainty is the dog training community is absolutely the rudest group of people I’ve ever encountered and I’ve run political campaigns on the side for 20 years! I just think that’s such a sh*tty thing to say about people
True behavior experts oppose the use of aversive dog training methods nearly unanimously.
Zak, you are absolutely brilliant. I’m so grateful that I adopted your philosophy a long time ago.
It’s because they make money off selling the shitty methods. Simplest argument.
That, and lack of adequate socialization and desensitization because of lockdown imho. Slightly off topic, but would you consider doing a video on how to differentiate between puppy/ young dog hyperactivity/ difficulty training, and neurological/ wiring issues? My young dog, Ruby, has always been hyperactive, and I had been having problems with certain areas, ie grooming, but I put it down to having ‘puppy energy’ as well as training not being my strength, and thought that it would fade as she grew older, and with working extra hard on training. A few months ago, after not seeing any improvement, the vet recommended consulting with a behaviourist. After the appointment, I found out Ruby had/has a “wiring problem at a neurotransmitter level” so she was unable to settle herself when anxious or excited, and she required medication that would help calm her down so she could learn easier, to accompany more customised training. Whilst she has significantly improved, she still has a long way to go because the behaviours were so ingrained due to the ‘bad’ behaviours having such a long time to establish themselves. If I realised earlier on that it wasn’t just puppy energy etc, it might have been easier to solve the problem with the behaviourist, but I didn’t, and still don’t fully understand how I could have realised the true problem so early on in her life, and I think a video talking about what signs to look for, and what is/isnt normal puppy behaviour? I hope that all makes sense! 🐕🐶🐩💜
I think it could be a significant factor. The issue can also compound is that these dogs/puppies that were adopted did not get enough socialization during their development.
It’s also easier to see “immediate” results with prong collars and such.
It’s because positive only trainlng only works with certain dogs. I believe is should be 98%positive and 2% corrective. That 2 percent doesn’t mean beating an animal just corrections. When used correctly prong and E collars are a great tool. Dogs correct them selves with prong collars and e collars just vibrate. A gentle nudge or a light grab of a snout goes a long way and guess what? Doesn’t hurt the dog at all and they learn faster.
I would absolutely agree with you!!
Absolutely positively true. And I am guilty. I was struck at home for 6 months lockdown with an Australian kelpie puppy. Thankfully I used the time to train her and she is an awesome 2 year old now.❤
Truth. It takes time to train.
I totally agree it’s soooo wrong
E collars, slip leashes, and prong collars are amazing tools that do not hurt your dog if you’re actually trained to use them and use them as intended. My dog trainer has been doing dog training for nearly 30 years for service dogs, police dogs, and military dogs, as well as regular pets. Before I took classes from him, I tried the positive reinforcement-only training (including this channel’s methods) for months and got nowhere. Within about two months after I hired the trainer my dog was walking by my side in stores, following all of my commands, and generally doing everything I could ask of from a dog to the point where I almost never have to use the corrective tools now.
If you never tell your kid “no you can’t run into the road” they’re going to get hurt. It’s the same thing with a dog. They can’t speak English, so you introduce a stimuli to tell them no instead. None of these methods hurt them if used properly. A proper slip leash when placed correctly doesn’t choke your dog. legitimate ones are designed specifically not to do so. It’s not a noose. E Collars aren’t tasers either. My trainer had me feel the e collar before using it on my dog, and it’s not even as intense as when you licked a 9V battery when you were a kid. Its just annoying. The vibrate setting is honestly more stimulating to most dogs, which is why my trainer discourages using the setting.
Positive-only training may work for some people and dogs, but attacking people (including professional trainers) who use different (and scientifically proven) methods to train their dogs is ridiculous.
**Note:**
I cannot stress enough how important it is that people get training for THEMSELVES (not just the dog) when using any dog training method, but especially using methods that require that they be used improperly. It takes a good bit of technique, psychology, and patience. Maxxing out your stim setting or yanking on a slip leash is only an option when it’s the choice between that and your dog being injured/killed. It’s not supposed to be a punishment, it’s supposed to be a nudge away from a negative action. Blended training is still supposed to be 95% positive, and 5% negative reinforcement/positive punishment. Your dog won’t listen to you if you make training something to be dreaded. But a dog that’s been correctly trained using correcting tools will get excited when the E collar or slip leash comes out, because that means a whole lot of treats, play, and praise.
Not all dogs are the same,
I think that’s very true. I was going to get a little dog now I’m not working. I watched all the training videos, and my family got a golden retriever instead ….. he’s only knocked me over once.
Such a big, strong dog, so much exercise, training, fencing and gates to keep him in, precious things chewed …. Such focus needed.
He’s a gorgeous dog with a beautiful character, but I’m happy not to have my own dog after all and to admire other people’s dogs on my walks instead.
I work in a vet clinic and what Zak is saying here is super spot on. I see more misbehaved dogs now that ever before.
Healthy debate with the same goal is absolutely necessary.