Obedience Training May Not Be the Answer
When it comes to most unruly, misbehaving, even problem-ridden dogs, complete off-leash obedience may not be the answer. It is, however, a huge step in the right direction. Where obedience commands are limited is they only are in effect for specific periods of time. For instance, an energetic dog can be a handful to live with when not under a command. Therefore obedience is part of the solution, but there is more.
Being Controlling is Definitely Not The Answer Either!
A common belief among functional dog trainers is that dogs need structure. They need to know what is expected of them at all times. Therefore, professional dog trainers recommend dogs move from one command to another throughout the day, day after day. Worse still is that, too often, owners are taught that their dog’s energy, drives and interests must always be controlled (suppressed). This changes a dog from being a cherished member of the family to being a prisoner. It’s absurd and results in a miserable existence for any dog.
The Answer Starts with Freedom
In Naked Dog Training, freedom is the foundation for everything we do. It should remain the foundation for how a dog lives their life. This includes; freedom of movement; freedom to express their personality and their interests. This is also where it gets tricky. If all you do is allow freedom, your dog will learn to react to their every impulse. This impulsiveness fuels so many of today’s behavioral problems, including aggression. Thus, freedom must be balanced with control incorporating specific rules.
The Key: Short and Long-Term Rules
The missing piece for most fully trained dogs is establishing non-verbal long-term rules to guide behavior when not under an obedience command.
Understanding Short-Term Rules:
Obedience commands such as “heel”, “sit”, “down”, and “come” use rules for short-term control. Using the “down” command as an example, this command requires a dog to instantly lay down, and stay there until told otherwise, regardless of environment or distraction. Once the owner uses the command “break,” the dog is released from the command and returns to freedom. The control lasts only for a specific period of time. This is why obedience commands are considered short-term rules.
Understanding Long-Term Rules:
We use non-verbal rules that are always in effect in order to establish and maintain long-term behaviors. Examples of common non-verbal rules are; not jumping, barking, chewing, waiting at exterior doorways, not entering certain rooms, etc.
Anywhere an automatic behavior is needed, a non-verbal rule can be taught and easily maintained. At the same time, a life filled with constant and extremely limiting rules, doesn’t allow for much expression. Therefore, it is important to establish as many of these non-verbal rules as necessary, but, as few as possible.
Rules in Everyday Life
In general, short-term rules, in the form of obedience commands, are used when dogs are off-leash in order to control behavior. For example, your dog is walking freely ahead of you on a trail and you see another person coming towards you with their dog. You simply use the “hena” or “with me” command to have your dog return to your side until the other dog passes. Then by saying “break”, you allow your dog to be free.
In everyday life, your dog wakes up in a state of freedom. They are free to follow their bliss—well, sort of follow their bliss. Your dog’s choices of movement and expression are guided by long-term rules which are always in effect. Thus, your dog is free in movement, expression and most importantly, in spirit. He/she is also guided by limitations implied by the long-term rules that have been clearly established.
Living "The Naked Way" (combining rules with freedom)
Our overall philosophy is if you can control your dog anywhere, and at anytime, you don’t need to be controlling. You can allow your dog great freedom--freedom of movement, freedom to express themselves, and freedom to explore their interests. You can do this without fear of their returning to their old selves, giving in to every impulse. The right amount and types of rules create a beautiful life for both dogs and owners.
Even though there are consequences for breaking rules, with the right balance, they serve as guides. This is very similar to we owners when it comes to our movement. We have freedom of movement, but with limitations. We can choose to drive to Florida and change our minds midway and head to California. We’re also free to stop and explore whatever interests we find along the way. While we experience this great freedom, it’s actually governed by rules like stop, one way, and speed limit signs. Violating these rules can lead to serious consequences (excessive speeds can lead to an arrest), and yet we’re not oppressed by them. They simply guide our behavior. This is freedom balanced with control.
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