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Long-term success with your dog depends on your involvement
Relationship rehabilitation
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By Sarah Smith (CPT)
Trainers, including myself, commonly provide the option of a "board and train" or "boot camp"
program to achieve maximal training results in a very short amount of time. While the initial
results are impressive, a board and train may ultimately make it difficult for an owner to sustain
long-term training success with their dog.
"The board and train aspect of our industry helps many trainers to keep this profession financially viable. But even four weeks with the world's best trainers cannot develop a bond between the owner and the dog. There is no amount of work a professional trainer can do that will absolve the owner from all responsibility. At some point, the owner must do the work. All the money and all the professionals in the world will not develop that deep bond, understanding, and mutual respect that we all want with our dogs." (Rachel Becker, IACP Safe Hands Journal, Vol. 11, Issue 3)
I can't agree more with this statement. What you're really seeing when you watch a dog respond happily, reliably, and promptly to a command issued by his owner is a healthy relationship and bond built on mutual respect and trust between dog and owner. You're seeing an owner that feels confident and is projecting that authority to his dog, and a dog that feels safe in that knowledge, and demonstrates his trust and respect for his owner by his efforts to respond appropriately to the owner's instruction. Training tools and handling techniques aid in the process of teaching expectations and creating communication, but the journey of the training process itself is what ultimately builds a relationship of trust and respect between the dog and owner.
"The board and train aspect of our industry helps many trainers to keep this profession financially viable. But even four weeks with the world's best trainers cannot develop a bond between the owner and the dog. There is no amount of work a professional trainer can do that will absolve the owner from all responsibility. At some point, the owner must do the work. All the money and all the professionals in the world will not develop that deep bond, understanding, and mutual respect that we all want with our dogs." (Rachel Becker, IACP Safe Hands Journal, Vol. 11, Issue 3)
I can't agree more with this statement. What you're really seeing when you watch a dog respond happily, reliably, and promptly to a command issued by his owner is a healthy relationship and bond built on mutual respect and trust between dog and owner. You're seeing an owner that feels confident and is projecting that authority to his dog, and a dog that feels safe in that knowledge, and demonstrates his trust and respect for his owner by his efforts to respond appropriately to the owner's instruction. Training tools and handling techniques aid in the process of teaching expectations and creating communication, but the journey of the training process itself is what ultimately builds a relationship of trust and respect between the dog and owner.
How boot camp works
Boot camp is initially very effective at reforming most dogs. Unfortunately, for many, the training
falls apart later on. Here's why: Boot camp is very different from your home. At home, your dog is
accustomed to responding to environmental triggers to inform his bad behavior choices, including
the fast-moving cat, the mailman, the piece of chicken thawing on the counter, and even the way
the owners themselves interact with him if you can believe that!
One key component of the board and train is immersing the dog in an intensive program in a very structured environment. When the dog is not actively training, he's being denied the opportunity to engage in unwanted behavior. For example, if jumping up is a problem, the trainer is going to bring the dog out of a kennel or crate on leash, not giving them the opportunity to jump up. When the trainer is ready to work on the skill, they'll set it up in such a way that they are able to effectively correct jumping up and positively reinforce keeping four feet on the floor. The dog will never have the opportunity to incidentally jump up during the board and train and be rewarded for the behavior like they are at home when they jump up on the owners and get their attention or a reaction. In addition, the dog is so physically and mentally drained from absorbing all the new information that they often don't have enough energy to engage in bad behavior in the first place.
This highly structured environment that sets the dog up for success is a key component to quickly and effectively teaching new skills. This is where you see the dog excel quickly after only a few weeks in training. Unfortunately, because of the lack of structure in most people's homes, often a gradual decline in the dog's obedience proficiency takes place over time after the dog returns home because the owner is unprepared to reinforce the training. Dogs are always watching and learning. It's just as easy for them to unlearn everything they learn in a board and train when left to their own devices. Regardless of the amount of training and proofing done in boot camp, it is still necessary for the owner to reinforce the training once the dog is back at home if they want to see ongoing, long-term behavior modification.
One key component of the board and train is immersing the dog in an intensive program in a very structured environment. When the dog is not actively training, he's being denied the opportunity to engage in unwanted behavior. For example, if jumping up is a problem, the trainer is going to bring the dog out of a kennel or crate on leash, not giving them the opportunity to jump up. When the trainer is ready to work on the skill, they'll set it up in such a way that they are able to effectively correct jumping up and positively reinforce keeping four feet on the floor. The dog will never have the opportunity to incidentally jump up during the board and train and be rewarded for the behavior like they are at home when they jump up on the owners and get their attention or a reaction. In addition, the dog is so physically and mentally drained from absorbing all the new information that they often don't have enough energy to engage in bad behavior in the first place.
This highly structured environment that sets the dog up for success is a key component to quickly and effectively teaching new skills. This is where you see the dog excel quickly after only a few weeks in training. Unfortunately, because of the lack of structure in most people's homes, often a gradual decline in the dog's obedience proficiency takes place over time after the dog returns home because the owner is unprepared to reinforce the training. Dogs are always watching and learning. It's just as easy for them to unlearn everything they learn in a board and train when left to their own devices. Regardless of the amount of training and proofing done in boot camp, it is still necessary for the owner to reinforce the training once the dog is back at home if they want to see ongoing, long-term behavior modification.
The perfect boot camp dog
When people think about a "boot camp" prospect, they usually envision a dog with severe behavior
problems-a dog that is so out of control, anxious, reactive, or aggressive they need a drill sergeant
to "whip them into shape." I'd contend this is exactly the wrong type of dog for this type of
program.
Dogs that are over-reactive, extremely anxious and fearful, or aggressive towards other dogs or people have imbalances that go beyond the scope of normal dog problems like poor manners or mild nuisance behaviors. The worse the behavior problem, the more important it is that the owner is part of the rehabilitation process. For example, a trainer can effectively train a normal dog to greet politely and teach the owner how to reinforce the training relatively easily. The training is merely an issue of generating expectations and clearly communicating them to a dog that's emotionally balanced, eager and willing to comply.
In the case of an aggressive dog whose behavior is fueled by fear or anxiety, not only does the dog need to learn the correct expectation (the obedience command) to react appropriately when the front door is opened, but the relationship between dog and owner needs to be rehabilitated in order for the dog to feel comfortable doing the command in the first place. The dog needs to trust and respect the owner, and the owner needs to feel confident and project that confidence to his dog, especially in a situation that generates stress or anxiety for the dog. For all the money spent on a board and train and time spent working on the dog's behavior, usually very little opportunity is available to address the relationship between dog and owner.
The best candidates for board and trains are those dogs that are generally happy-go-lucky with normal dog problems, nuisance behavior like barking, leash pulling, and jumping up. Reinforcement of the training by the owner will be relatively minimal and not too emotionally challenging for either dog or owner, meaning long-term success is much more likely to be achieved.
Dogs that are over-reactive, extremely anxious and fearful, or aggressive towards other dogs or people have imbalances that go beyond the scope of normal dog problems like poor manners or mild nuisance behaviors. The worse the behavior problem, the more important it is that the owner is part of the rehabilitation process. For example, a trainer can effectively train a normal dog to greet politely and teach the owner how to reinforce the training relatively easily. The training is merely an issue of generating expectations and clearly communicating them to a dog that's emotionally balanced, eager and willing to comply.
In the case of an aggressive dog whose behavior is fueled by fear or anxiety, not only does the dog need to learn the correct expectation (the obedience command) to react appropriately when the front door is opened, but the relationship between dog and owner needs to be rehabilitated in order for the dog to feel comfortable doing the command in the first place. The dog needs to trust and respect the owner, and the owner needs to feel confident and project that confidence to his dog, especially in a situation that generates stress or anxiety for the dog. For all the money spent on a board and train and time spent working on the dog's behavior, usually very little opportunity is available to address the relationship between dog and owner.
The best candidates for board and trains are those dogs that are generally happy-go-lucky with normal dog problems, nuisance behavior like barking, leash pulling, and jumping up. Reinforcement of the training by the owner will be relatively minimal and not too emotionally challenging for either dog or owner, meaning long-term success is much more likely to be achieved.
Falling off the bandwagon
Think of any bad habit you have that you'd like to change or maybe you've tried to change in the
past. Let's say you want to be more patient and not over-react especially when you're driving. With
practice, mindfulness and self discipline, you can learn to take three deep breaths and respond
more calmly even when faced with a stressful or irritating situation. But that doesn't mean you
won't over-react at some point in the future. For example, if you didn't get enough sleep, get up
late, stub your toe, get some bad news concerning a work project, and spill coffee on yourself on
your way out the door, chances are much better that you won't remember to count to ten before you
get angry if someone cuts you off in traffic on your drive to work. You're stressed and it's harder to
practice that discipline and mindfulness.
It's the same for your dog, and if he slips back into an old habit and has an aggressive response, it's important that someone is there reminding him of that better habit that he's supposed to be practicing instead. If the owner never learned how to address a tantrum or an aggressive outburst, there will be no one there to remind the dog what he's supposed to be doing instead.
It's the same for your dog, and if he slips back into an old habit and has an aggressive response, it's important that someone is there reminding him of that better habit that he's supposed to be practicing instead. If the owner never learned how to address a tantrum or an aggressive outburst, there will be no one there to remind the dog what he's supposed to be doing instead.
A final word and a tough truth
As a trainer, I'm committed to achieving success with your dog's training or rehabilitation. Besides
helping you, I want you and your dog to be successful long-term because that makes you a satisfied
client. If your attitude towards your reactive, aggressive, or overly-anxious dog is that you want
someone else to "fix your problem," I already know before working with you that any success I
achieve with your dog will only be temporary. The training simply won't work long-term if I'm more
committed to fixing the issue than you are.
A dog is not a computer that can be shipped off, fixed, and returned to you repaired and ready to function properly. Unfortunately, that's how many people view a board and train program. Universal truth: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! If you have a dog with an emotional imbalance, whether he came that way from a previous home, was born that way, or the problem has developed while living with you, you are part of the equation, period. That's not to say it's your fault, but as an active participant in your dog's life, present with him every day, the final responsibility lies with you. Get professional help to recognize what adjustments need to be made and how to open the lines of communication, but recognize that it always comes back to you. In dog training, often money just isn't enough, you also have to be ready to commit your time to learn and work with your dog, be willing to make some changes in how you do things, and be committed to being consistent in your handling practices.
The tradeoff is that when you do put in the time and make the commitment, it usually pays off in a big way. Another universal truth is that the more difficult the challenge, the sweeter the reward in the end. Improving your relationship with your dog, cementing a healthy bond, and in the process fixing difficult behavior problems is something money alone simply cannot buy.
As with all the articles on this website, this is purely this trainer's opinion based on her experience. Every dog trainer has an individual perspective regarding what they believe to be the most effective way to solve dog behavior problems. If you're researching dog trainers and don't agree with the approach and views described on this site, I'd encourage you to continue your search to locate a trainer whose perspective and opinion about training you're more comfortable with. Alternatively, please feel free to contact us if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you with an unbalanced dog, or if you'd like more information about any of our training services, including the board and train!
A dog is not a computer that can be shipped off, fixed, and returned to you repaired and ready to function properly. Unfortunately, that's how many people view a board and train program. Universal truth: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! If you have a dog with an emotional imbalance, whether he came that way from a previous home, was born that way, or the problem has developed while living with you, you are part of the equation, period. That's not to say it's your fault, but as an active participant in your dog's life, present with him every day, the final responsibility lies with you. Get professional help to recognize what adjustments need to be made and how to open the lines of communication, but recognize that it always comes back to you. In dog training, often money just isn't enough, you also have to be ready to commit your time to learn and work with your dog, be willing to make some changes in how you do things, and be committed to being consistent in your handling practices.
The tradeoff is that when you do put in the time and make the commitment, it usually pays off in a big way. Another universal truth is that the more difficult the challenge, the sweeter the reward in the end. Improving your relationship with your dog, cementing a healthy bond, and in the process fixing difficult behavior problems is something money alone simply cannot buy.
As with all the articles on this website, this is purely this trainer's opinion based on her experience. Every dog trainer has an individual perspective regarding what they believe to be the most effective way to solve dog behavior problems. If you're researching dog trainers and don't agree with the approach and views described on this site, I'd encourage you to continue your search to locate a trainer whose perspective and opinion about training you're more comfortable with. Alternatively, please feel free to contact us if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you with an unbalanced dog, or if you'd like more information about any of our training services, including the board and train!