BARKS from the Guild May 2020

training

Teaching Recall: A New Standard

Niki Tudge introduces the first in a three-part series of Shock-Free Coalition-authored Standard Training Procedures and their role in a constructional approach to shaping human behavior. The impetus for this initiative came from a need, identified by the Shock-Free Coalition, to provide alternatives to the use of shock devices for defining canine boundaries, teaching a dog a reliable recall, and teaching a "hush" cue © Can Stock Photo/Bigandt

The Shock­Free Coalition authored Standard Training Procedure sets out the criteria to train a solid recall, an essential skill for dogs, using purely positive reinforcement

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favorite expression amongst pet trainers is that we should aim to have a “constructional approach” to changing behavior. This means we should be working to build the most appropriate be­ haviors rather than focusing on a punitive approach toward what hu­ mans consider to be annoying or frustrating behaviors their pets may, at times, exhibit. As such, rather than punishing a particular behavior, we must ask this simple question: What behavior would we prefer the pet to perform as an alternative in this situation? Once we have identified this, we can develop a training plan to meet the client’s goal. The same philosophy applies to the human side of our behavior change equation.

If a client is using an aversive piece of equipment, we must ask what they are trying to achieve and how can we better help them to achieve it – without resorting to aversives.

Indeed, if we are passionate about eliminating shock and other aversive tools, methods and equipment from our professional field,

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BARKS from the Guild/May 2020

then we must provide efficient and effective alternatives for pet owners to reach their pet training goals. We cannot – and must not – nag or judge clients or the pet owning public at large who use, have been rec­ ommended to use, or shown how and when to use a shock collar. If we do this, we are simply not being constructive, nor are we providing a suitable and ethical alternative.

Constructional Approach And so, the PPG Advocacy, Shock­Free Coalition and Canine Committees set about developing three key Standard Training Procedures (STP) to help professional trainers and behavior consultants practice a construc­ tional approach to eliminating shock. Why three? Because, based on both anecdotal evidence and data collected from the Shock Collar Sur­ vey conducted by PPG in 2019, the three most common behaviors pet owners are addressing with shock collars were found to be: 1.

Boundary training (in terms of invisible fencing, aka electric