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From: cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Training dogs (food) [LONG]
Message-ID: <440@ttidcb.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 21-Aug-85 12:16:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: ttidcb.440
Posted: Wed Aug 21 12:16:14 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Aug-85 20:33:32 EDT
Organization: TTI, Santa Monica, CA.
Lines: 96


 Dogs work wonderfully on praise.  Being a pack animal, dogs have inbred
 in them a strong social structure which revolves around dominance,
 submission and knowing their place in the pack hierarchy.

 Social communication within the pack is based on a complex series
 of expressions, body movements and actions.  These, combined, relate
 correction, praise, affection, etc.

 It is the NATURAL way in which dogs communicate and function within
 their family unit.  When you take a dog into your home, this is, to your
 dog, his or her pack.  Instinctively, he will attempt to fit in as best
 he can.

 He asks for only a few things:

   - To be fed
     domesticated dogs usually never get the chance to hunt, in the wild,
     for their food.

   - To be treated fairly (in a canine way).
     This means not being overly corrected (or overly praised, also)
     or LEFT OUT OF THE PACK'S LIFE (ie. outside, by himself)

   - To know his place in the pack
     This is done by proper correction, praise and training.

 By bribing your dog with treats, you are shortcutting this essential
 social interaction which is designed to keep the pack together and
 your dog loyal to you.

 Your dog needs to eat and "performing" is one way to get food that
 he likes.  He doesn't, however, view it as gratitude from the person
 for being good.  He views it as a way to get food. Period.

 This accomplishes nothing for the pack (or in this case family) unity.
 He might even start demanding that he gets it (or in other words, start
 thinking himself dominant.)

 In training for the breeding show ring, dog handlers often give their
 charges treats while trotting them.  The treats are usually kept in
 the handler's left pocket, close the the dog's head.  In this form
 of baiting, the dog's head is kept up in the air, close to the pocket,
 because he expects the treat to come to it.  To the show judge, it
 looks better because with the head up in the air, it gives the dog
 a better appearance.

 When you are showing a dog for breed, obviously, you are concerned
 with winning, and money to be gained from selling the show dog or
 his or her puppies.  Baiting like this works.  But, I am not talking
 about an artificial construct of humanity, as are dog shows.  I am
 talking about the lifestyle of dogs within our family structure.

 Many obedience trainers tell their clients to bait their dogs, so they
 work better for them, both in home and in shows.  I, myself, dislike
 the practice, since, after the show they are still your pets.

 I approve of treats in these cases:

   - To get a dog used to a new environment such as a crate or a doghouse.

   - To give a treat to your dog for no reason other than you love him.
     By this I mean no performing, without his prior knowledge; just give
     him one every once in a while.

   - Every once in a while, it becomes necessary to give a dog a treat
     in a special instance but it is needed so infrequently that it
     is not worth pointing out here.

 For cats and other animals who do not work for praise as much as dogs,
 to be trained, usually must be given treats as positive reinforcement.
 So it is quite common to see dolphins, seals, etc. working for their
 "pay" since food is a powerful incentive.

 So if you own a cat and want him to perform behaviors, treats are fine,
 but if you own a dog, think about what I've related here.

	 Sorry for the length, but it takes so much energy to climb up
	 on my soapbox sometimes that I feel I must stay up longer.
-- 
==============================================================================

			 Jeff Cushner @
			 Citicorp-TTI
			 Santa Monica CA 90405
			 (213) 450-9111 x2273

	      {randvax,trwrb,vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner

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