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Training your dogs: A few things you must consider
Training your dogs: A few things you must consider
Understanding a dog's capacity to learn and recognize
commands is necessary towards successful dog training.
by Jane Simpson
December 15, 2004
The popularity of the police dog in Europe, and the almost
unbelievable results accomplished by dog training during the
first World War inspired scientists and animal experts to
undertake the study of dog psychology for the purpose of improving,
if possible, upon the training systems then in vogue. Successful
training is possible only in the presence of perfect understanding
between the trainer and his dog. Clearly then, there can be
no such understanding without full knowledge of the dog's
mental capacity; that plus an understanding of his character.
For years controversy has raged regarding the dog's ability
to reason. And because of the close bond of affection between
everyman and his dog, many have held to what they believed
to be true, that the dog can and does reason. But I agree
with those scientists and intelligent students who claim that
he cannot. I do not believe there is any such thing as reasoning
power in the dog. I believe, rather, that he merely reacts
to directions given by man. In other words, those feats of
certain wonder dogs which so often arouse astonishment and
admiration are not the result of independent thinking on the
part of the animal: quite to the contrary, they are no more
than obedience to some visible or audible sign, signal or
command.
It is not my purpose to under-estimate, or to overestimate,
mental capacity or the ability to learn which differs markedly
in dogs. Some will learn quite rapidly.All, however, need
signs or commands. How often we hear someone exclaim: "My
dog understands every word I say to him!" But he doesn't.
Let me explain.
A dog responds to like sounding commands having different
meanings but a similar inflection of the voice. For example,
a dog that has been trained to the command "Heel," if ordered
"meal," "reel, "steal" or "veal," will obey as readily, despite
the fact that he has been told to do something entirely different
or that he has heard an expression devoid of any meaning at
all as a command word. That, I consider, proves that the dog
cannot think independently.
Again, in support of my contention is the fact that the dog
will not alone obey like sounding words given as commands,
but that he will observe and interpret various tones of the
voice with apparent disregard for the words employed. For
instance, a dog caught in the midst of a destructive act and
given a severe scolding in a sharp tone of voice will slink
away with his tail between his legs; whereas under exactly
the same circumstances, he will continue his destructiveness
if admonished in a soft, loving tone of voice.
Still another example is concerned with many dogs which had
been trained in Europe' and which, when brought to me, did
not understand English words. It was of course comparatively
easy to change into English the complete list of commands,
signs and words so that the dogs could be re-trained in that
language. I soon discovered however that a dog trained to
the order "GibPfote" (shake hands) would not respond to English,
but that when I offered my hand he would respond at once.Though
he could not understand the words, he did recognize the sign
which, like the inflection of the voice, is the same in any
language.
Further proof of the dog's lack of reasoning power is supplied
by the dog that lies in front of the fireplace. The moment
the log burns down he seeks a warmer spot. Other logs, close
at hand, have only to be put on the fire to keep it burning,
and this the dog upon innumerable occasions has seen his master
do. Yet he will not do it nor can he be taught to do it for
himself. If he can reason, then why does he not do exactly
what his master did in order to provide more heat!
- Jane Simpson
Jane Simpson is a freelance writer and regularly writes
on matters related to pets. She writes frequently for http://www.terrier-breeds.com
, as well as http://www.training-pitbull-dogs-n-breeds.com
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