Fear Free Dog Training: Our Interview with Megan Meyer

What is fear free dog training?

Our interview with trainer Megan Meyer (independent trainer based in Grand Forks)

Linus's Legacy: What is fear free dog training?

Megan: Fear free dog training is training without the use of fear or punishment. This involves not using training tools, like prong collars, e-collars, choke collars, underground fences, spray bottles filled with water, cans filled with coins, or anything else that is meant to startle or cause fear in dogs. Instead, fear free dog training utilizes motivators (treats, toys, praise, etc.) and management (baby gates, crates, muzzles) to teach dogs what you want them to do instead.

Linus's Legacy: What are some of the biggest misconceptions you come across in dog training?

Megan: The biggest misconception is that you need to use punishment to train a dog. You don't! Zookeepers use positive reinforcement to train wild animals. So, why shouldn't we with a man’s best friend? Punishment in dog training can create fear, hostility, and aggression. It works to suppress a dog's feelings to create a shutdown dog, which is a dog who feels like they can't do anything out of fear of punishment. To the naked eye, shut down dogs are well behaved, but there are strong feelings brewing inside that have not been addressed. These dogs are more likely to create a "bite out of nowhere" scenario, because these dogs are unable to express their feelings in a healthy way. Modern research shows that dogs actually learn better with positive reinforcement based dog training, too.

Using punishment during dog training stems from the idea that wolves are constantly fighting to be the alpha in their pack, known as the alpha theory. This idea was created from Rudolph Schenkel in the 1930s and 1940s, and popularized by David Mech in the 1970s when he published a book on it. David Mech realized his mistakes in the 1980s and rescinded his ideas. However, it was too late, and the publisher didn't stop publishing the book until 2022. Additional studies on wolves indicated that they actually live in family groups, with the alpha male being the dad and alpha female being the mom. The word, "dominance" has been poisoned by old school dog trainers due to the alpha theory. I do not like to use or hear the word, but there is dominance in the way that parent dogs provide food and shelter for the pups, like people do for their kids.

Linus's Legacy: Do dogs feel guilty when they do something wrong?

Megan: No. There has been no evidence so far that dogs feel guilt. That “guilty” look that most people see is actually fear. Whale eye, lip lifting, ears back, tail between the legs, and low body posture are all common body language traits to represent fear. The dog is sensing the emotion that people are giving off with their tone of voice and body language, or there is a strong history of punishment. A lot of times this happens is when the owner comes home after work and sees that the dog has gotten into the trash. The owner gets upset, and the dog show that “guilty” look out of fear of punishment. They are trying to say, “I see you are upset. I don’t know why. Please don’t take it out on me.”

 

Linus's Legacy: How can owners implement fear free dog training in their home?

Megan: Owners can implement force-free dog training by rewarding what they want to see, and think about why the behavior exists. You can start by researching dog body language and work to understand your dog better. If you need help, look for a positive reinforcement dog trainer. Dog training is an unregulated field, and anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Make sure to do your research about any trainer you may be considering hiring. Certifications are a great way to see if a trainer knows what they are doing and is keeping up to date on current dog training techniques.

 

Linus's Legacy: Why is positive reinforcement better than other training methods?

Megan: Positive reinforcement focuses on the dog’s emotion behind the behavior and tries to understand why the dog is behaving the way they are. Understanding the reasons why the behavior is present leads to long lasting results with a well-rounded dog. You are working on building a better relationship with your dog. This makes your dog want to listen to you. There is no physical or emotional pain for your dog, and little to no risks of vet visits due to equipment failure. The goal is to make the behavior better, not worse due to suppression.

 

Linus's Legacy: How do you keep a dog's focus on you, and engage the dogs so they find it fun to learn?

Megan: You have to find out what works for the dog. Every dog is different in this regard. Some dogs like cheese, some like fish, some like toys, and some just like praise. You pair a clicker or marker word, like “Yes!” to whatever your dog loves. One of my peers had a client’s dog who loved bubbles, and used those with training. Teaching a “Look at Me” cue is great for engagement. Rewarding for the small things, like looking at you, helps reinforce engagement, and your dog is more likely to engage in the future on their own. Taking breaks when things get too rough is a great way to keep motivation up in future sessions.

 

Megan's Bonus Question: Can I use a combination of punishment and positive reinforcement training?

Megan: No. A combination of training makes it confusing for the dog. Punishment doesn’t teach the dog what to do instead. With positive reinforcement, you are managing the situation to prevent the dog from practicing the behavior in the first place. It gives you the opportunity to train your dog what to do instead. The goal is to be as consistent as possible. The downsides of using punishment in dog training remain, even in small acts like saying 'No.' However, we all mess up sometimes. We are human after all. We aren’t perfect, and neither are our dogs. Patience goes a long way in dog training. Dogs need time and space to just be a dog. They aren’t robots.