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April
Pets Can Stay Book FeatureReview
by Kathy Reilly
To the average dog owner, training your dog in 21 days may seem like
a fairy tale. Especially if they have been struggling for 6 to 9
months and still haven't managed to teach their pup a dependable
sit, stay.
The author, Colin Tennant, has established credentials as a
professional trainer in the U.K., having trained thousands of people
to train their dogs. I like the fact that he trains in parks and
public places, what I call the "real world". Too many dogs are
trained in school facilities and are well behaved in the classroom
but revert back to their untrained state when confronted with the
distractions of the real world.
I admire how he addresses the huge topic of dog training in easily
understood language. Tennant states: "Dog training involves learning
another set of rules coupled with a desire to make proper contact
with your dog to forge a bond through a new language that we call
'dog training'." He explains the need for compulsion in training
some dogs. Like everything else in our modern world, people are
conditioned for instant results. Purely positive training works,
however, it takes more time and patience than most people
realistically have.
Tennant touches on the major differences in communication between
dogs and humans using very clearly understood examples. He explains
pack instinct and the importance of hierarchy. He emphasises timing
of reward, and punishment as crucial. I don't like his use of the
term punishment, and he says he doesn't either. He explains that
punishment carries no vengeful connotation, but means using
unrewarding experiences to help train dogs.
Tennant favours separating the verbal command training from the hand
signal. This is an unusual approach as most trainers combine the two
and exaggerate both at first to help the dog learn. He is very clear
on using treats as rewards and the importance of weaning the dog off
treat rewards quickly, and he explains other rewards that dogs
crave, such as touch, play and just being with you, the leader.
The actual training plan is very concise, clearly explained, and
wonderfully illustrated with a photo mix of people and dog breeds,
from large golden retrievers to tiny daschunds. The photos are
enhanced with directional arrows to show exactly where the trainer's
feet should be moving and the direction the dog should be moving.
Including a quick reference guide for people on the simple exercises
was a good idea, but perhaps it should have been a removable pocket
guide for practicality.
Tennant has one technique that I think most people would find
impractical. That involves looping the dog's leash over a hook
placed in strategic spots throughout the house. I think people would
balk at drilling holes in their walls to do this. I also think the
ultimate goal should be to have the dog stay in place when told
without the hook. He seems to think a hook by the door will keep the
dog from jumping on visitors. I prefer a dog be free and under
command in a solid down stay, where they can see the door. If you
need your dog for protection you don't want him restrained by a
hook.
Tennant includes detailed instruction on proper heeling and how to
correct a dog that pulls or lags. He emphasises training in a quiet
area with no distractions to start and then working up to street
training. He also suggests practical training that is rarely
addressed in dog training manuals, most of which are geared towards
obedience trial, not everyday life. For example, he teaches you how
to have your dog jump in and out of a vehicle safely and how to walk
beside a baby stroller.
In explaining the different equipment that can be used for training,
the author goes one step further and explains the necessity of
conditioning your dog for devices such as the head halter, so that
the dog looks forward to wearing it.
The target audience for this book is the average dog owner of today
with little spare time, who wants a dog that is a good canine
citizen and a well-mannered family member. This book homes in on the
most common problems and gives practical, easy to understand
solutions. The boxes make easy reading of highlighted points. The
book addresses a huge segment of our modern society. In the fast
paced lives many of us lead, with instantaneous information at our
fingertips through the worldwide web, TV, and other media, people
expect instant results. Tennant does not promise miracles and warns
that not every dog will be trained in 21 days, but with persistence
and consistency in delivering the message to the dog in language the
dog understands improvement should be immediate.
This is the first time I have read a book on dog training that
stresses the need for the entire family to get involved resulting in
consistency in delivering commands to their dog. The dog training
moves along a lot faster. As a professional dog trainer, I would
have no hesitation in recommending this book to my students.
Kathy Reilly is a professional dog trainer. Her businesses are
Miss Behaviours Family Dog Training, and Life of Reilly Bed &
Breakfast for Wee Dogs in Nanaimo, BC.
21 Days to Train Your Dog can be ordered through
online booksellers such as
www.amazon.ca,
www.chapters.indigo.ca, or to
source a Canadian independent bookseller in your area go to
bookstore listings at
www.booksforeverybody.com.
About the author:
Colin Tennant, an expert in dog and general pet care and
behaviour, is the author of Breaking Bad Habits in Dogs. In addition
to writing numerous articles for magazines, he produces pet-related
television and video programming. |
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