Are you feeling frustrated or overwhelmed with your dog’s behavior? If so, you may be considering sending your dog to a canine training program. These programs are often touted as an easy solution to training problems. Unfortunately, not all canine bootcamp programs work, and some can easily lead to dog abuse.
What is a dog bootcamp?
Sometimes referred to as “board and train,” a dog training camp is a dog training program in which dogs are sent out of their homes and homes to be trained by a dog trainer. Dog bootcamp programs, as the name implies, can be militaristic, often meaning a heavy reliance on punitive and offensive training methods, which are scientifically proven to be harmful to dogs. dog.
Dog training in the United States is an unregulated industry. This means that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer regardless of experience. One of the big challenges with dog bootcamp programs is that you can’t witness how your dog is being treated. While at the bootcamp, your dog is left unattended by you, which can lead to abuse, such as harsh training, kenneling, or rough handling.
Does my dog need a dog bootcamp?
In most cases, there’s no reason to send your dog to bootcamp training, even if you’re dealing with serious training issues. In general, it is most effective for dog owners to attend group and/or individual training classes with their dogs working with an experienced dog trainer or animal behaviorist. . By taking a training course with your dog, you not only learn new skills, but also learn how to be an effective handler.
Dog training is only a small part of training; A core component of dog training is training owners how to handle the dog. Dog owners need to learn how to support and manage their dog in a variety of situations, which is difficult to do if the dog is sent for training.
Can dog bootcamps correct bad behavior?
Dogs that struggle with reactivity or aggression are often targeted for training programs and the success of these dogs will be mixed. Some bootcamp-style programs overwhelm or expose dogs to triggers combined with aversive training methods such as shock/lap collars and pronged collar modifications. This causes some dogs to be quiet and silent, but that only masks their potential discomfort, which remains unresolved. Reactivity and aggression are often deeply rooted in fear, so being sent to a boot camp can not only make challenging behaviors worse, but it can also damage relationships. of a dog with its owner.
One of the big challenges of bootcamp is that dogs don’t learn in defined time periods. Just as it may take one person a few lessons to learn how to solve an algebraic equation, it may take another person months of individual math tutoring to grasp the same concept. Just because a dog was taught something at a bootcamp, doesn’t mean the training is complete or that your dog will generalize that skill back home. Be extremely wary of any boarding program that guarantees it will “cure” or “fix” your dog in a few weeks.
What do dogs learn at a dog shelter?
If you send your dog to bootcamp, what he learns will depend on the type of program. Most bootcamp or dog training programs will have a specific focus, such as specific behavioral challenges such as being reactive or aggressive. Others take a more holistic approach to teaching basic manners. Other bootcamp programs focus on specialized skills for service dogs, hunting dogs, or other specialized training. The most effective dog bootcamp programs will also have an owner training component to ensure that dog owners are also learning handling skills that correspond to the training their dogs are undertaking. .
Bootcamp or training dispatch models aren’t always bad. Some dog boarding and daycare facilities will have a stay and training option, where dogs that are being boarded while their owners are on vacation can continue to practice signals and basic skills so that they do not fall behind in the training process. These programs may also offer “day training” options so dogs can receive personalized training assistance while in daycare. The dogs that can benefit the most from the camp are those that are being trained as service dogs through established and reputable training schools. In these cases, the dogs are being trained and then matched to a disabled handler.
Where to find bootcamps for dogs
If you feel overwhelmed by your dog and believe the only option is to send your dog to a training camp, there are ethical and humane trainers who run training programs on board. . Here are a few things to do before deciding:
- Carefully research any coaches and programs you’re considering. Search the coach and business name for any online reviews or articles about alleged abuse or abuse.
- Ask the coach for references and talk to previous clients.
- Meet with the trainer and ask questions about your dog’s daily routine when training.
- Some training camps have run out of kennel facilities, while others have run out of dog trainers’ homes. Either way, take a tour of the entire facility, including any other areas your dog will be spending time in.
- Make sure you clearly understand who will look after your dog and the processes and procedures for accessing veterinary care if your dog is injured while in the care of a trainer.
If you’re going to send your dog to bootcamp, have realistic expectations of what your dog will learn while they’re away. Always check references on any trainer and facility other than touring it before leaving your dog in their care. Dogs that are not robots can update their software at bootcamp. Even in the best case scenario where you send your dog to the bootcamp and he learns new skills, you’ll have to learn how to handle your dog and continue to reinforce those new behaviors when they return. home.
