Tools: Magic Wands, or Just Aids?

I've been increasingly frustrated with common misperceptions, myths, and downright lies spread throughout the general public regarding canine management and training tools. The problem is the idea that a tool will somehow solve a problem BY ITSELF, when what is really required is a little education.

It seems that most dog owners go to a pet store (or trainer) and ask for help with XYZ problems (usually, pulling on leash is priority one). Unfortunately, rather than be guided through a training PROCESS, the hapless dog owner is instead sold the latest whimsical gadget designed to somehow steer their dog into heavenly, joyful, "pain-free" submission. The "pain-free", or "humane" moniker is usually what finally sells the product. It doesn't occur to the seller or the buyer that long-term results might require more. Or perhaps, if it does, that doesn't matter anyway.

So the dog owner puts the device on the dog. They may have gotten lucky with some instruction on the "proper" (by manufacturer claims) instructions on how to fit said tool. They then happily, hopefully clip on the leash and observe. Have you ever witnessed this? It's as if some grand transformation, for better or worse, will suddenly take place right before their eyes.

With some tools, you will see something interesting happen right away. The dog may respond as the owner hoped, and perhaps there is a slack leash (or one pulled tight by the nervous owner, regardless of the tool's instant seeming success). In come cases, the dog throws an instant tantrum, much like a bratty child in a candy store who has just been told that the candy is off-limits. At least that's what this might look like. This event may include screaming, rolling on the ground, whining, frantic attempts to get the tool off, and/or biting. And that may only be from the owner!

Either way, the hopeful dog owner moves on, determined to give this miracle tool a try. The dog might be managed well, at least while on a leash connected to a reasonable person with some common sense. In other cases, the dog may actually exhibit great signs of discomfort or displeasure the more the tool is used. The walk is, for whatever reason, no fun for anyone.

Such owners are somehow persuaded that the TOOL is what it is all about. This "miracle tool", like a magic wand, will transform your misbehaving monster into a mannerly mutt in seconds. Or maybe a few days. But there is no need for any work, right?

Well, after such an owner spends some good, hard-earned cash on a box full of later-unused tools (some of which are chewed, falling apart, frayed, or showing bits of hair sticking out everywhere), they might just start asking for some real results. All of a sudden, the management plan has failed, Fido is fierce, and something has got to be done!

Ahhh. Here comes a PLAN. A plan! Who'd a thunk it?

Whether the owner figures it out on their own, with a good book in hand, or an experienced trainer as their guide, a plan carries with it more potential to have a beginning, a middle, AND.... an END. Ooooh, an end. End results. Measurable results! A plan with measurable results? It's a MIRACLE!

Ah, no it isn't. It's just reality, and back to basics.

So an owner and a trainer, perhaps, work together to determine: 1) what the end desirable result is, and how to measure it (we start with the Novice competition standard as our test. Some start with a CGC test. Some don't have any standard, unfortunately, but our imaginary new friend does), 2) where to start (every dog and owner need a firm foundation), and 3) how to connect part 1 and part 2 (a plan!).

Part 3, the plan, is likely to require a set of tools. Regardless of what type of tools are used, they should both have some understanding of how to fit it properly and how to use it safely and effectively (meaning a "method" made up of "techniques"). The goal is to teach the dog what is expected (a rule), how to follow the rule, that the dog can choose to follow the rule or not, and that the dog can expect consistent, fair consequences of those choices throughout the remainder of the training process. One rule leads to another, buiding on the previous steps. The monster figures out how to be mannerly, the owner is happy, and the nieghborhood breathes a collective sigh of relief.

At some point, some tools may lose their effectiveness and other tools may be required to continue a lesson. That's okay. It doesn't mean that any tool is inherently GOOD or BAD. It just means that for a certain stage in a certain plan with that dog and owner, there needs to be a new tool to help the dog learn what is necessary for the safety and contentment of both dog and owner. And sometimes you just sort of "graduate" into the use of a new training tool as a part of the plan. The key is to move away from "management" tools and instead use "training" tools as part of a plan. The results should eliminate the need for fear, heavy confinement, and constant restraint.

We all know that management fails sometimes, so what are you going to be left with?

Another point worthy of note is that no person should advise others on how to use a training tool (or why they should avoid it) if they don't have a clue how to use it safely and effectively themselves, while others clearly do.