May 19, 2011
I am considering volunteering at our local shelter. The women who runs the shelter trains with clickers and head-harnesses. Does your training comply with these tools?
Full Question:
I have a question. I have just started volunteering at a small shelter. The new director seems to like click-training with a clicker. She also likes using a head harness called a Gentle Lead (goes fairly tight on the mussel and behind the ears). Before I order the video are these methods consistent with your teaching methods? Please comment.Joyce
Perry, Iowa
Ed's Answer:
No they are not.
The only place I think a halti (head harness) is appropriate is with a dog that can be a little nippy towards the handler during training – but even then I don’t like them. A head harness is not a legitimate training tool.
I am not a big fan of clickers. But some people like them. Frankly there is no difference in saying GOOD DOG than there is in clicking a clicker.
The people who run animal shelters are well intentioned people. I give them credit for the work they do in saving unwanted dogs and finding new homes for dogs. They deserve a lot of credit for this. The fact is a great many of them need better training on how to handle problem dogs and head harnesses and clickers are not going to help them with this.
I will be releasing a completely new version of my Basic Dog Obedience video – it will be 4 hours long and only available on DVD – you should wait and get that DVD – then let her watch it. It will help her.
The only place I think a halti (head harness) is appropriate is with a dog that can be a little nippy towards the handler during training – but even then I don’t like them. A head harness is not a legitimate training tool.
I am not a big fan of clickers. But some people like them. Frankly there is no difference in saying GOOD DOG than there is in clicking a clicker.
The people who run animal shelters are well intentioned people. I give them credit for the work they do in saving unwanted dogs and finding new homes for dogs. They deserve a lot of credit for this. The fact is a great many of them need better training on how to handle problem dogs and head harnesses and clickers are not going to help them with this.
I will be releasing a completely new version of my Basic Dog Obedience video – it will be 4 hours long and only available on DVD – you should wait and get that DVD – then let her watch it. It will help her.
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