puppy perspectives

Funny name for a post, huh?  But a cute picture, right?

While Sammy isn't a puppy anymore, there are two puppies who are now my "co-workers". My boss and one of our RA's bring their dogs to work with them everyday they are at work.  Yesterday, my boss brought in a dog trainer who spoke to the whole group of us for about an hour. 

I knew there were different perspectives on dog training since I've read a bit about it, but it was interesting to see-in action- how one philosophy put the other philosophy down.  I think there are probably many many different perspectives on puppy/dog training, but I saw a clear delineation yesterday between a "pack leader" approach and a "relationship" approach.  According to this trainer, ne'er the twain shall meet. 

I think my philosophy fits somewhere in the middle, which I found really difficult to reconcile during the training yesterday.  This trainer said to never say "no" to your dog- both literally and figuratively. If the dog is doing something you don't want it to do- just ignore it, or try to re-direct. I believe in ignoring- I think it works wonders for dog behavior.   I also try not to say "No" to my dog, but I find that "uh-uh" works pretty well.  Because I don't say it all the time, he generally seems to listen when I say it and knows that what he is doing is wrong.  It works for us.  But it is essentially saying "no". 

I have lots of other thoughts about dog training- and I'm sure others with dogs have their own philosophies of dog training. Luckily, I  think people don't have as strong opinions about dog training as they do about child discipline.  I feel like people often get told they aren't disciplining their child correctly, but you usually don't hear dog owners telling other dog owners that.  Thank goodness!