We've become accustomed to the sight of dogs in public places. Probably everyone has experienced a dog in the workplace, in a park, in a café, etc. Dog owners should therefore always bear in mind the handling and training of their pets. Let's go through some of the best practices and new trends in training with the dog handler Tereza Vajner.
It's of course good to first think about the ambitions that the dog owner has with the dog. Not everyone wants to do sports cynology with their pet. However, every dog should go through basic training. We asked Tereza Vajner about new tricks to get a dog under control regardless of the training level.
Can we talk about new trends in terms of dog training?
I don't think that any new pioneering method has emerged recently. What was confirmed in the twentieth century still works today. I'm referring to behaviourism and the methodology of positive reinforcement training. I'm not sure whether we can talk about trends in this context but it's true that the approach of positive reinforcement training is now spreading into all training areas. For example, in the case of obedience, I think that we've been going this way for quite a long time but sports cynology has only started using positive reinforcement in the last few years.
What changes can you see in Czech cynology?
In Czech cynology, the training is becoming more and more about the dog finding things out for himself and mastering them voluntarily. This is done so that the dog can remember everything better. I have a feeling that the word punishment is starting to become a tabu in the current cynology dictionary. It is being replaced by the phrase 'negative reinforcement'. But I think that a correctly used and timed 'punishment' can be very beneficial. For my dog, for example, punishment is for me to ignore him. What I class to be important, and that's where the difference is, is that after a punishment, I reinforce the dog's specific behaviour which I required from him by praising him, giving him a treat or by playing with a toy, therefore by positively reinforcing it.
How has dog behaviour been influenced by modern technology?
It seems to me that technological gadgets tend to work more like support or rescue when the dog isn't trained properly or is difficult to get completely under control. GPS locators or training collars are of course tools that can also be used for training but more often I see people using them to gain more confidence out on a walk when the dog doesn't fully react to being called.
I'm now going to move away from technological miracles but for me, the best cutting-edge device is still the clicker. Even though it's now widely spread and therefore it's no breakthrough, I do think that the market hasn't seen anything better yet. The timing of the click needs practice as well. It's recommended to combine the click with something nice, a treat or praise. This is the same principle of trained conditioning as with the Pavlovian theory where the reward is usually in the form of a treat or praise. What's great is that the training can be done at a long distance because the dog can see your clicking. You can use it to split more difficult tricks into more phases. I still see a lot of potential in that.
How did the Covid-19 pandemic change dog training
I've noticed that on-line training sessions are still very popular on social media and aren't declining. Personally, I have no experience with this, I've never attended one and have no plans to organise anything like it. I'm a little sceptical about it and do not believe that it can fully replace classic training. I feel that, logically, it's too general and you as a trainer can't ever be certain how a certain dog reacts to something and what he comes up with. I always approach dogs individually and am convinced that it's important to start socialising them from when they're puppies, which is another thing that cannot be done on-line.
When one says a mini breed, most of you will immediately think of a Chihuahua. And it’s not surprising, its the smallest dog breed in the world. They are popular abroad as well as in the Czech Republic and they are often picked by people whose desire...
The Ragdoll, a cat which reminds you of a dog with its behaviour, was in the top three favourite breeds among keepers in 2017. At the worldwide scale, it is on the second place, right after the Maine Coon. The Ragdoll is a very cuddly pet which is into...
Cats have always been regarded as mystical animals with many mysteries. One of them might be the question why these creatures like sitting in a circle so much.
You might be asking why should a cat learn to walk on a leash in the first place? It doesn’t mean you should go hiking with your cat. However, a short walk might be a great adventure for your cat. And you can’t do that without a leash, especially in a...
Keeping an eye on the weight no longer concerns only us, the two-legged creatures. Vets deal with overweight and obese pets more and more often. Most often, it applies to dogs and cats, but even rodents can easily suffer from obesity. How to prevent...
Toxins are accumulated in body during winter and spring is therefore the best season for detoxification. Everything awakens and people purify their bodies so why shouldn’t we involve our closest companions to it?
The fact that it’s no problem to go for a journey across the whole continent (or even the whole world) together with your pet is well-known to the owners of three cat travellers – Bengal cat Suki, courageous cat Wilow and fearless tom cat Simon. They...
One of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to be more active. A dog is a great companion for an active life. What is a healthy level of exercising with a dog?
These portions seem so small, shouldn’t I give my dog more? And should the dry food be dipped or not? And how many times a day should I feed my dog? And should I supplement the food by something? When should we switch to adult dog food? This is only a...
Do you know how to properly behave with your furry friends in national parks and protected nature areas? Are you sick of all the trash in city parks? And are you considering what you should do to be a more eco-friendly dog owner? You can also...
Siberian Husky is an amazing dog breed. It is a very active dog. Agile, strong and distinctive. That’s why many mushers use them to pull their sledges. It is said that all dogs who like pulling are suitable for a dog sled, but a Siberian Husky really...
Domestic cats don’t go outside as often as dogs and you have to prepare them for travelling. However, they won’t avoid visiting a vet or travelling to a cottage from time to time.
