Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttidcb.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner 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 ********************************************************************* ** The above comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ** ** Citicorp-TTI and if the corporation wants them to, they'll have ** ** to pay through the nose for the rights! ** *********************************************************************