Have you ever wondered why certain dog training methods seem to be more effective than others?

The dog training industry has exploded in recent years, with a bunch of new books claiming to be the ultimate guide to training. Social media has played a significant role in this knowledge expansion, leading to a multitude of trainers asserting that their methods are the only ones worth following. So, what should you believe? Which trainers are truly credible? With so much conflicting information, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin.

Did you know that the dog training industry is currently unregulated? This means there are trainers out there who may lack the necessary qualifications and expertise. This situation not only confuses dog owners but can also pose risks due to the prevalence of misinformation and training techniques that rely on punishment. Poor training practices can exacerbate behavioural issues in dogs and even lead to anxiety. While some punishment methods may yield short-term results, they often come with serious consequences for a dog's overall health and well-being.

In this post, we will debunk some common dog training myths and reveal the truth behind them.

This saying is often repeated, especially when someone feels discouraged about training their dog, claiming, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks, so what's the point?"

This is simply not true.

Yes, dogs learn most rapidly during their puppyhood, particularly between the ages of 3 and 14 weeks—this is also the critical period for socialisation. Experiences during this time can significantly shape their behaviour later in life. If a puppy encounters something frightening during this stage, they are less likely to forget that experience.

However, dogs retain the ability to learn beyond this early period, thanks to the neuroplasticity of their brains. Similar to humans, dogs brains will re-wire and adapt to their environments. For instance, a rescue dog that once lived on the streets can learn that they no longer need to scavenge for food and that some humans can be trusted.

While it may take an older dog longer to learn a new behaviour compared to a puppy, it's important to remember that all breeds and individual dogs learn at different rates—much like humans do.

The key takeaway is that yes, older dogs can indeed learn new tricks and behaviours, provided the training is approached correctly!

When teaching a dog, it's crucial to use only positive training methods; punishment should not be part of the equation in any form. Consistency and patience are essential!

A puppy playfully biting may seem adorable at first, and when they jump up to greet you as you walk through the door, it can truly warm your heart!

However, consider what happens when Buddy the puppy grows into a 20 kg+ dog with a powerful jaw capable of damaging metal crate bars. While not all dogs reach this size, the principle remains the same. Taking a dog out in public that wants to jump on everyone and play-bite is not a scenario that will be well-received by society. If Buddy were to jump up and accidentally knock over an elderly person or a child, both he and you could find yourselves in serious trouble. Moreover, if Buddy were to bite someone, the consequences could be dire, including the possibility of him being put down.

Behaviours that you want to avoid in your adult dog need to be addressed early on. This includes pulling on the lead, chewing furniture, stealing food off plates, and lunging at other dogs.

It's essential to have a clear vision of the behaviours you want your dog to exhibit and to start training from day one to establish boundaries and ground rules. Consistency and patience are key! Remember, behaviours won’t disappear overnight; it will take time. But as long as you remain committed, you will see progress.

If a dog is displaying a behaviour, they are receiving some form of reward for it—whether you intended to reward them or not.

For instance, when your puppy or dog bites you, do you react by making noise, moving away, or giving them attention—even if that attention is negative? When your puppy jumps up, do you touch them to push them off or speak to them?

Even negative attention, such as saying "Bad dog," "Get off," or "Stop it," or giving them a gentle push, is still a form of attention that could inadvertently reinforce the behaviour you want to stop.

Remember, a dog will only continue a behaviour that is rewarded.

I understand the origins of this saying, especially considering that wolves were once thought to have a strict dominance hierarchy within their packs. However, this belief has been disproven, and so has the effectiveness of using dominance as a training method.

This approach seems to be favoured by some old-school trainers and dog handlers. While it may yield results in certain situations, it is not a foolproof method and can often lead to more undesirable behaviours. Moreover, it can negatively impact a dog's health and well-being. Just as physical punishment of children is now widely condemned, the same principle applies to attempts at dominating your dog.

Many dogs subjected to dominance-based training can become aggressive.

While your dog needs to respect you as the leader, it’s equally important to be a kind, understanding, and loving authority figure. You want your dog to trust you and look up to you as a leader, not to fear or cower from you.

Prong collars, E-collars, hitting or kicking your dog, sending them to bed without dinner, crating them as punishment, or locking them in the back garden are NOT methods you should ever consider using.

There is a significant amount of debate surrounding punishment-based training methods, with some trainers still confidently advocating for the use of prong collars and similar devices.

However, these tools are unnecessary and can be harmful.

Before putting one of these collars on your dog, consider trying it yourself by placing it around your own neck to experience how it feels.

While it’s true that your dog’s behaviour may change in response to these methods—primarily because they want to avoid the pain, discomfort, and fear associated with such training—this is not a reliable or effective approach. In fact, it can lead to a host of additional issues, including increased aggression, heightened anxiety, and potential health problems.

Abusing your dog is not the answer, and it undermines the trust and bond you should be building with your pet. Instead of relying on fear-based techniques, consider utilizing positive reinforcement methods. These involve rewarding desirable behaviours with treats, praise, or playtime, which helps to create a more harmonious relationship between you and your dog.

Positive reinforcement encourages your dog to learn and repeat behaviours that are beneficial, fostering an environment of trust and cooperation. Training should be a collaborative process where your dog feels safe and motivated to learn, rather than one marked by fear and intimidation.

According to some of the online trainers, my rescue dog would have been the perfect example of a dog that required a prong collar; however, with time, patience and hard work, I have been able to train the behaviours without such a "tool,". Take it from me, it can be done.

Nope! Wrong again!

While treat-based rewards might seem like the quickest and easiest way to reward a dog, there are several alternative options worth considering. For owners of overweight dogs, or those whose pets aren’t particularly food-motivated, exploring these alternatives can be beneficial. Some dogs may enjoy treats at home, but when faced with the distractions of the outside world, like passing cars or other dogs, food may not be as enticing.

In such situations, praise, cuddles, scratches, and toys can be effective rewards to try.

When offering praise, remember to soften your voice and use consistent phrases so your dog can associate those words with positive behaviour. Simple phrases like "Good boy/girl" or "Yes" can effectively mark correct actions. A common mistake is using a praising phrase without altering the tone of voice. Dogs are incredibly perceptive and respond well to our vocal cues. By adjusting your tone to reflect their success, you can enhance their understanding and likelihood of responding positively to your praise.

Cuddles and gentle scratches can also serve as wonderful rewards. I’m currently working with dog trainers to expand my knowledge and experience, and one trainer has a dog who is completely uninterested in food but absolutely loves cuddles! She has successfully trained him primarily using affection as his reward, which resonates with him.

Toys present another excellent option. Have you ever noticed how working dogs are rewarded with playtime after completing a task, like finding narcotics or apprehending a suspect? This playtime serves as their reward for a job well done. To keep the excitement alive, consider using a specific toy solely for training. A high-value toy, such as a tug rope or a squeaky toy, can maintain novelty and motivation for your dog.

While it's true that some dog breeds are easier to train than others, this doesn't mean that certain breeds are untrainable.

The breeds often considered the easiest to train include Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies, while Bulldogs and Jack Russell Terriers tend to be more challenging.

Jack Russell's are intelligent dogs, but their independent nature can make training a bit tricky, though certainly not impossible. The Russelers group show at Crufts 2018 is a fantastic example of how well Jack Russell Terriers can be trained.

It's important to consider how much time and effort you're willing to invest in training before choosing a breed. If you already have a dog, take the time to research how they learn best and look for breed-specific training tips that can help you guide your furry companion to be the best buddy they can be.

Dogs are among the most diverse species on the planet in terms of appearance and traits.

Building on the previous point, while all dogs are trainable, not all dogs can be trained for specific tasks.

For instance, if you adopt a Husky with the intention of making him or her a livestock herding dog or a service dog, you might be barking up the wrong tree.

It’s similar to trying to teach a cat to fetch a ball. While some cats may enjoy playing with a ball, most won’t have the instinct or desire to retrieve it like a dog would.

Every person is unique, and every dog is unique as well. Some Border Collies may struggle as herding dogs due to fear or a lack of natural instincts, while some Labrador Retrievers may not succeed as guide dogs because they become easily distracted or overly energetic. These dogs aren’t at fault, nor are the handlers and trainers. Some dogs simply may not be suited for certain roles, and that’s perfectly okay. If all dogs were the same, they would be rather boring!

When you adopt a dog, if you have specific expectations in mind, it's important to consider that they might not be able to fulfill those roles.

For example, when I rescued Anayah, I envisioned her as a farm dog accompanying me while I tended to the livestock. However, her prey drive and impulsivity are inherent traits that can’t be trained out of her. While I’ve worked on training her to be less impulsive and reactive to chickens and sheep etc on a lead, I would never trust her off-lead around livestock. They would quickly become un-livestock!

It may feel like you’ve tried every training method out there, and yet your dog is still misbehaving!

Dogs are not intentionally "bad." They don’t aim to make you angry or upset; they aren’t evil creatures with a desire to do the wrong thing.

As I mentioned earlier, dogs will only engage in behaviours that are being rewarded. This reward doesn’t necessarily have to come from you; it could be an external factor, or simply the joy they experience when they engage in that behaviour.

For example, your dog doesn’t pull on the lead to drag you down the street or to hurt your arm; they’re just eager to reach the park or investigate the next interesting scent they encounter.

Or, they may not fully understand what you’re asking of them.

Picture this: you’re out for a walk with your dog off-lead, and you call them back to you, but they ignore you and continue sniffing a lamppost. If you haven’t taught them recall, they won’t know what "Buddy, come" means.

If you’re genuinely struggling with a behaviour or have a dog that seems "naughty" or "stubborn," it might be a good idea to have them checked by a vet to rule out any health issues that could be influencing their behaviour. If everything checks out, consider seeking help from a qualified dog trainer; they might notice something you’ve missed. After all, that’s their expertise!

Crate training your dog can sometimes be misunderstood; it’s not cruel when done correctly. However, keeping your dog locked in their crate for the majority of their life is not appropriate. It’s important to see the difference.

Crate training can be incredibly beneficial, so much so that I’ve dedicated an entire blog post to the topic here.

To briefly summarise, crate training provides a safe space for your dog, ensures safe travel, and protects your home from being chewed when you’re away. Crates are also an excellent tool for potty-training both puppies and adult dogs. Additionally, they can be helpful when you have friends or family visiting who may not be comfortable around dogs, or to keep your dog out of the way of any workmen or contractors when needed.

It’s important to understand that a dog trainer’s role is to empower you to train your dog, not to do the training for you. Successful training requires consistency and frequent practice. A good dog trainer will provide you with the tools, knowledge, and techniques you need to shape the behaviours you’re looking for in your dog. They’ll be there to guide you through the process, offering advice and support along the way, but the actual training will be up to you.

As a dog owner, you hold the responsibility for training and caring for your furry companion. Dog trainers serve as educators, and those who are qualified should also possess a teaching credential.

If you find that you have no intention of actively training your dog after the session—or at any point—it might be worth considering a different type of pet that requires less time and effort. Your dog deserves the chance to learn and thrive in a loving and structured environment, and that commitment starts with you!

There you go, folks! 10 dog training myths debunked! I hope this has helped clear some of the confusion up for you, and if you have any questions or any other comments, I would love to hear off you! You can contact me on social media or leave a comment down below.

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See you next week!

TJ