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Training Methods and Tools
Humane Training
Essential to a well-adjusted, happy, and confident dog
In an unregulated industry such as dog training, it is important to know the facts regarding methodology and how tools and technique affect your dog's mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Both the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have released statements addressing the benefits of humane training methods, and the unintentional fallout of more "traditional" methods.
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Harnesses
Summary:
At Top Dog Behavior and Training, we prefer dogs to be trained in a well-fitting harness. Prolonged pressure on the neck caused by collar walking may cause tissue damage and an increased risk of tracheal collapse.
Your harness should not restrict your dog's natural movement, should not cause pinching or chaffing, and should be checked for signs of wear and tear before each use.
For dogs that need extra support while learning leash manners, opt for a front-clip harness!
Our favorite harnesses:
Ruffwear Front Line
Ruffwear Web Master
Blue-9 Balance Harness
Petsafe 3-in-1 Harness
Wonder Walker Harness
Training Methods
Summary:
Top Dog Behavior and Training recommends using positive-reinforcement and force free methods and avoiding punishment, coercion, and pain/discomfort.
Studies show that dogs trained using aversive-based methods have higher cortisol levels, more stress related behaviors, and are more frequently in tense and low behavioral states (shutdown) than dogs trained using reward-based methods.
What is considered "Aversive"?
Training tools or methods that "work" by punishing the dog, inflicting pain, inflicting discomfort, and the use of coercion or force are all considered aversive.
This includes: Prong collars, Slip collars or choke chains, STIM/shock collars (even on a vibrating setting), Bark collars, "Dominance Theory", "Alpha Theory", "Pack Dominance", Physical Punishment, Leash "Pops", Startle Tactics, "Balanced" Methods
Prong Collar
Summary:
At Top Dog Behavior and Training, we DO NOT RECCOMEND the use of prong collars. When used correctly, prong collars "work" by inflicting discomfort to the dog to suppress undesired behaviors. Rather than learning the desired replacement behavior, your dog has instead learned to avoid punishment. This, however, often leads to behavioral fallout, increased anxiety, increased reactivity, and the creation of new/other problem behaviors.
Prong collars may also increase redirected aggression through association. For example, if your dog barks at a child riding past on a bike and the prong collar tightens (causing pain/discomfort), the dog will begin to associate the presence of the child with that feeling of pain/discomfort. Over time, this negative association to children on bikes may escalate to increased reactivity or generalize to create a negative association to children in general.
Choke Chain / Slip Collar
Summary:
At Top Dog Behavior and Training, we DO NOT RECCOMEND the use of choke chains/slip collars. When used correctly, choke chains/slip collars "work" by inflicting pain/discomfort to the dog to suppress undesired behaviors. Rather than learning the desired replacement behavior, your dog has instead learned to avoid punishment. This, however, often leads to behavioral fallout, increased anxiety, increased reactivity, and the creation of new/other problem behaviors.
Choke chains/slip collars may also increase redirected aggression through association. For example, if your dog barks at a child riding past on a bike and the choke chains/slip collars tightens (causing pain/discomfort), the dog will begin to associate the presence of the child with that feeling of pain/discomfort. Over time, this negative association to children on bikes may escalate to increased reactivity or generalize to create a negative association to children in general.
Shock / STIM / E-Collar
Summary:
At Top Dog Behavior and Training, we DO NOT RECCOMEND the use of shock/STIM/e-collars. When used correctly, shock/STIM/e-collars "work" by inflicting pain/discomfort (even on a vibrating setting) to the dog to suppress undesired behaviors. Rather than learning the desired replacement behavior, your dog has instead learned to avoid punishment. This, however, often leads to behavioral fallout, increased anxiety, increased reactivity, and the creation of new/other problem behaviors.
shock/STIM/e-collars may also increase redirected aggression through association. For example, if your dog barks at a child riding past on a bike and the choke chains/slip collars tightens (causing pain/discomfort), the dog will begin to associate the presence of the child with that feeling of pain/discomfort. Over time, this negative association to children on bikes may escalate to increased reactivity or generalize to create a negative association to children in general.
