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Canine Behavior and Training

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Myths and Stereotypes

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Breed Specific Legislation BSL in Canada "Bill 132"

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There is an old saying in dog training: "You get the dog you deserve." In its simplicity, that statement sums up everything we need to know in order to understand why some people develop one 'model canine citizen' after another, while others fail. Dogs are what we make of them. Their social drive and natural predilection to avoid physical confrontation is almost identical to that of humans. Good dog owners use this knowledge to ensure the same level of conduct for their dogs as they might for their young children.

Nuisance or criminal behavior is simply not permitted

Dogs have the mental capacity of a 2 - 3 year old child.
Dogs should never be expected to train themselves.
To properly socialize a dog, it must have regular off-leash training and interaction with others.
Municipalities are actually creating more inadequately socialized dogs by strictly enforcing leash laws and limiting access to areas where dogs can be properly socialized.
Dogs that are always physically restrained (whether by leash, tether, or fence line) never learn how to control their own behavior, and must always be strictly supervised, as a consequence.
Dogs that are strictly restrained are likely to develop inappropriate, even aggressive behaviors.
Not dealing with the initial signs of inappropriate behavior has the same result as actively encouraging inappropriate behaviors.
All dogs can be properly trained, but not all dogs respond to a single training technique. This fact places the responsibility on the dog's owner to find a training method that motivates his or her individual dog.
It is unnatural for dogs to harm one another. Properly socialized dogs use every possible method to avoid physical confrontation. Biting is a last resort for properly raised dogs.
Dogs should never be turned into weapons.

"Hate people who keep dogs for protection. They are cowards who are too afraid to bite people themselves."

- from August Strindberg's famous quotation

Although there are many respected dog sports that include a component of protection work, the consequences may ultimately be too high for dogs.

It’s a change of mindset, really. The fact that dogs are used by some people as weapons against others is ultimately the reason that all dogs are increasingly maligned. How many times have you heard, “I want a dog for protection” or “She’s a good ‘guard’ dog”? Many people perceive dogs as a form of security.

It is this perception that causes some people to fear dogs, and others to encourage inappropriate aggression. In reality, dogs are not weapons, and shouldn’t be turned into them. They have the mental capacity of a 2 – 3 year old child. Would you give a 3-year-old child a weapon and expect her to protect you?

Even in the case of very respected and compassionate trainers, what they’re ultimately teaching these dogs to do is to put themselves in danger. How many dogs must be needlessly injured or killed before we realize the price is too high? What about the price paid by all dogs when communities enact restrictive legislation based on myths about dog aggression? What about the restrictions dog owners face at the hands of thoughtless insurance companies, hotels, landlords, etc?

There are many sports and occupations that require the special abilities of dogs, and do not regularly place the dog in harm’s way. Tracking, search and rescue, therapy work, personal assistance, substance detection; they’re all examples of ways dogs can assist people without being put in mortal danger. When humans accept these risks, they do so with considerable deliberation and free will. Our dogs don't choose the tasks we give them. At the very least, their safety and protection should be our number one consideration. It is a betrayal to knowingly send a dog into harm's way.

Really good trainers know that by the time a dog is taught bite work, it is very well trained. In all likelihood, you wouldn’t know a well-trained personal protection dog is living next door unless the owner tells you so. Well-trained protection dogs are some of the best-behaved dogs around. They only act when faced with a REAL threat.

Dogs that are called “naturally protective” are, in fact, not. What they’re really demonstrating is their fear of such non-threatening situations as a knock at the door or the mailman’s arrival. These are not confident, well-trained dogs who are under their owners’ control. They’re poorly socialized dogs who don’t know what is and isn’t a threat. Fearful behavior is not the same as protection training.

In a perfect world, protection training would be unnecessary. In that same, perfect world, there would be few ramifications if a dog were responsibly protection trained. But in the real world, protection trained dogs get killed for obeying their owners’ commands; miscreants think encouraging inappropriate behavior leads to a four-legged weapon; and society sees all dogs as dangerous.

Take a fresh look at protection training, and how it is negatively affecting the image of all dogs.

GOOD CITIZEN & TEMPERAMENT TESTING

TEMPERAMENT TESTING

Getting your pit bull temperament tested is a valuable and powerful thing to do. It proves, "officially", that your dog is stable, sound, and a valued member of the community. To find out more about temperament testing in your areas, please visit the ATTS official website by clicking here

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD

When your pit bull terrier earns his Good Citizen Award, it makes him into a valuable member of the community, able to volunteer to work with the elderly, handicapped or children. It proves, "officially:, that your dog is stable, sound, and trustworthy. Of course, You already knew this, but having the AKC agree really puts the seal of approval on your pup! To find out more about the CGC Award in your area, please visit the AKC website by clicking here

Responsible Dog Ownership

There is no formal training or certification for responsible dog ownership.
Responsible dog owners consider their dogs to be canine citizens. They don't permit them to behave in any way that infringes on the rights of other citizens.
Responsibly-owned dogs are a great value to any community. Companion dogs bring us closer to nature, while providing us the opportunity to demonstrate the very best elements of our humanity. Not only that, they're simply "fun" to have around.