By Pro Trainer Annie Phenix, ACB-KSA

Ethos:  the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution

This is an important question and I’d love to know your response:

What is your dog training ethos?

Do you see a dog as a loyal, loving, sentient best friend … or do you see the dog as an entity who is doing his best to dominate you and thus must be treated with harsh, strict commands and protocols?

Do you feel empowered by having complete control over the 4-legged animal at the end of your leash (or shock collar)? Or do you think deeply about what your dog friend needs to have every day to have the best life possible – and that best life always includes feeling safe with you?

Do you think it is so cool to watch a fierce looking Malinois running fast and launching itself onto a protected man’s arm, nearly knocking him down? Or do you look at your dog and feel happy that your dog is so loved and content with you and all that you have provided for her?

The way you think about training (and living with) a dog is important to one being most of all and that is the dog himself.

If you feel the dog is just something for you to control, I am sorry for your dog. I also sorry for you as you are missing out on the most amazing partnership we have with an animal.

If you are a trainer or owner who relishes your ability to make a dog lie down still for 5 minutes while scary things are near the dog or you insist the dog never walk in front of you, I am sorry for your dog. Who enjoys living with a tyrant? What are you really teaching your loyal friend? You are not teaching him safety. You are not behaving in a trust worthy manner that demonstrates a give-and-take environment that exists in all healthy relationships. You are actually being a little two-legged monster to an animal over which you have complete control.

If you use words such as “master” or “complete control” or “a little pain doesn’t hurt,” I am so sorry for your dog. What if I had a toddler and I puffed my chest and walked around with the child in a military style heeling position and called myself “a master child trainer?” Would that impress you?  It does not impress me one bit to observe macho dog trainers treat their partner as they would treat a prisoner with no rights at all. We punish prisoners by taking all of their rights away. Is your dog your prisoner to do with what you want or is your dog your friend and someone you are called on to protect from harm?

I am impressed daily by my positive reinforcement focused colleagues who can do what I did for my own two heelers:  I nurtured them as vulnerable puppies who had several early traumas put on them by their ignorant handlers when they were young and scared. They were removed too early from their mother (and best teacher) at the tender age of 5 weeks, thrown alone into a back yard and got two kinds of worms and fleas. They had it all: neglect, hunger, fear and pain in their small bellies from the worms.

I created a world of deep safety (as my friend and colleague Dr. Laura Donaldson has coined it) and I helped them learn how to self-regulate their nervous systems. I didn’t want to “master” or control them. I wanted to help them heal. A shock collar heals nothing. I wanted them to thrive and to become safe, happy and resilient adult dogs. And that is exactly what they are.

If you think all dogs are your toys to dominate, please stay away from puppies, senior dogs, terrified dogs, nervous dogs, anxious dogs, dogs in pain, family pets, shelter dogs, rescue dogs … go train military dogs using military type training if that is your ethos – and for the love of dogs please stop harming family pet dogs with cruel tools and antiquated ideas on what a dog needs to be a healthy, joyful, well-balanced family member.

Continue reading more from Annie here:

How to Break a Dog Trainer’s Heart

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If you would like professional help with your dog that is always modern, ethical and humane, email me: annie@phenixdogs.com

Or, join me in The Canine Trauma Clinic, a private community dedicated to giving your dog the best life possible.

Annie Phenix, ACB- KSA, has achieved many certifications including Certified Canine Behaviourist (INTODogs), Family Dog Mediator (FDM), CPDT-KA (Retired), Fear Free Certified Professional, Graduate of a Schutzhund Dog Academy, CGC Evaluator, Nose Work Instructor, and many others. She is the best-selling author of canine behavior books, including her most recent title: Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs. Learn more about Annie on her website:  www.ChoosetoTrainHumane.com