Don't Shoot the Dog

A conversation at work this week about dog 'training' got the mental juices flowing - what is the most effective way to break bad habits?  Or better yet create good habits from bad? 

I have a coworker who has good dogs, but the dogs have a few issues that are essentially bad habits.  There is the old (I mean really old) idea of negative reinforcement - punitive response every time the unwanted behavior is presented - also known as yanking on the leash and yelling 'No' after the dog has already done the unwanted behavior.  And there is the more current idea of behavior shaping and positive reinforcement.  Both get results, but obviously one is considerably less stressful for all involved.
 

Our canine friends aren't the only ones that develop bad habits, nor are they the only ones that can benefit from more positive methods of changing behavior patterns.  Think how much more pleasant the work environment would be if people were motivated to perform well at their jobs, as opposed to being threatened with punitive measures if they don't perform well.  Imagine how much more successful we would all be if, instead of trying to shame ourselves out of a bad habit, we could feel positive about modifying it into a good habit.  Do you really think elite athletes correct their bad habits by having a coach wave their arms around and scream at them to just 'stop doing it that way'?  Of course not; they use behavior modification to improve their pedal stroke, or racket swing, or back flip.

 

One of the pioneers in regards to behavior shaping/modification is Karen Pryor.  In her book "Don't Shoot the Dog!" (sadly, not available for e-readers, print copy only) she describes "the  underlying principles of behavioral training and through  numerous fascinating examples reveals how this art  can be applied to virtually any common situation.  And best of all, she tells how to do it without  yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips--or  shooting the dog. 8 methods for putting an end to  all kinds of undesirable behavior. The 10 laws of  "shaping" behavior--for results without strain  or pain. . ."  Believe me, the information is not just valuable for 'training' dogs - over the years I've wished this book was required reading for anyone in a managerial position. 

 

As always, Mark Sisson has something to say about How to Break Bad Habits, as well as How to Develop Good Habits.  And the current issue of Paleo Magazine has an article about '5 Steps to Create a New Habit'.  The common theme is to have a strategy; if you really want to break a bad habit, or develop a good habit (or turn a bad habit into a good habit), a little planning is needed, followed by consistently following the plan.

 

A final note, because I just can't help myself, about dog training.  Sending your dog off to be trained by a 'professional' is akin to hiring a personal trainer to go to the gym and do the workouts for you; if you think you need help, find someone that will work one-on-one with you and your dog together.   And for the love of doG, find someone that is using the current standards of POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT.   Forget all that tired old crap about dominance and submission and blah, blah, blah.  Being the pack 'alpha' is about leadership - think about the people in your life that you consider good leaders - what characteristics make them a good leader in your eyes?  Good leadership isn't about throwing your weight around and shouting "It's my way or the highway!"  One of the best books I've ever read about the human/dog relationship, and what it really means to be leader of the pack, is Bones Would Rain from the Sky  by Suzanne Clothier.

 

Of course, 'No' is still a useful tool when you're out hiking and your dog is standing over a reeking squirrel carcass getting ready to have a good roll. . .