Health impacts behavior. My first approach when taking a complex case is to determine if any health factors might be at play. In my own dogs, I have found that when they are experiencing pain or discomfort as a result of a minor disc slip, a luxating patella, a bad tooth, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. they are a lot less likely to be clear headed and may be more likely to exhibit undesirable behaviors.
The strongest example I have experienced is the night and day behavioral shift I saw in my Doberman, Zuko when we discovered that he has Addison’s disease and began treatment to replace the hormones his body doesn’t produce such as cortisol, which regulates stress.
For this reason, I do not use physical “corrections,” intimidation, pain, or fear as a part of my training plan. If a dog is sick or in pain, it is not fair to them, in my opinion, to physically or emotionally harm them to produce the desired outcome. Yes, punishment works but that’s not how I train.
My intake questionnaire asks about health history in depth. We will also discuss any physical ailments or potential causes of underlying pain or discomfort before, during, and after each session as it applies. It is important to consider how something like arthritis, GI upset, or a ligament tear can impact training progress. I always urge my clients to investigate and seek veterinary treatment for medical abnormalities. I am happy to help my clients locate good specialists, work with their veterinarian, or train for rehabilitation procedures such as laser therapy.
My training plans start with building up strong foundational skills that we generalize (expand the context) gradually, so as to set the dog (and you!) up for success. Coaching on body language can help you to anticipate where a behavior may lead, so that you can learn when and how to intervene successfully. Additionally, I seek to create ways to redirect and then guide the dog to the preferred behavior, then build a habit of always doing the preferred behavior. My focus is always going to be on the emotional well being and quality of life for everyone involved.
