This week I had the experience of being told that I just try to over-complicate dog training. The comment came from what I think was a trainer who works with dogs and their owners. It doesn’t really matter what the rest of the discussion was about. The point that was being made was that all of this extra science and behaviour stuff I was bringing up about dogs and training was unnecessarily complicating what should be a simple thing. And that’s where I have to disagree.
You see, I think this trainer was confusing what is “easy” and what is “simple.” I don’t think dog training can ever be simple. There is a good reason for that. Dogs aren’t simple creatures. They have thoughts and emotions and desires and fears. How could anyone believe that communicating with an entirely different species could be simple? It can, however, be easy.
To me, easy means “requiring little effort” to train. By contrast, simple means that “there are only a few steps necessary to accomplish the goal.” So while building a boat may not be a simple task, for the skilled boat builder it can be a very easy and enjoyable task. Trying to simplify dog training means skipping steps or taking shortcuts. I’m not sure that’s the best idea. But making dog training easy is a very different thing.
Sure, there is a lot to training a dog but it doesn’t have to be hard. Learn how to use markers well. Understand the value of rewards and reinforcement versus the possible problems of using aversives. Know the basics of behaviour modification including classical and operant conditioning. Learn about dogs and their physiology, their habits, instincts, and body language. Learn anything and everything you can that will help you communicate better with your dog. Sure, it’s a bit of work to get all of that into your head but isn’t your dog worth the effort?
Dog training shouldn’t be simple but it should be easy. If we learn our skills in bite-sized chunks, pay attention to the details, and have a good understanding of our canine partner, training with them is not only easy but it can be a lot of fun.
Eric
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