Decline in pet training standards?

I think lots of people that get a dog are lazy and don't realize the committment and training required to have a well-behaved dog.  More dogs are in pet homes today than before, just like there are more people today than before.  I would hazard a guess that years ago,  most dogs lived outside, free to roam at will.  Not so anymore, so they begin to live inside.  People find that difficult and their furniture/possessions ruined from thinking the dog will be what they see on Frasier or some other show. 

You can't effectively train a dog in a couple months and expect that to be the solution.  It's an ongoing process and dogs slip in their behaviors just as kids or humans do.

Oh, can you give us a link to the whole article?

First, do average pet owners need programs with strict measurable outcomes?

I think people should have to pass a test in order to be granted the privilege of owning a dog - and for having a kid! (Since we regulate cars, guns, nutritional labeling, and home remodeling, why not these important areas of responsibility, too?) Ever notice how every time new technology comes out, we have to regulate people's abuse of it because we don't trust each other to behave "properly"? (i.e., cell phones while driving, phen-phen, internet solicitations, cloning, direct marketing (spam), stem cell research, etc.)

What do you think is happening with owners, our dogs and/or our trainers, that contributes to this decline? Or, does anybody believe this is simply not true?

It must be true, because dogs are constantly an issue in everyday life in a way they never were when I was a kid. I don't recall, 30 years ago, having the problems with dog aggression, barking, and general nuisance that we see now.

I see lots of pampered pooches and kids around me who have no structure in their lives. Part of it is our fractured family system, and part is that people have so much disposable income. LA freeways are littered with SUV's full of dressed up dogs and kids watching movies on flip down screens - even the driver's seats have screens in the sun visors!!!

I think there's a general cultural decline in all areas: education, health care, international relations, basic human morality, product quality control, ...

I don't think credentials and licenses fix those kinds of problems. We can regulate "professional" access though such legislative devices, but that isn't the same as real quality control. For example, often times my gradma's Rx is supremely more useful than my MD's Rx!

Well, first of all anyone can call themselves a dog trainer.

Second, the last statistic I read about this said that only 5% of all dogs in America have any formal training whatsoever.

Third, most of the "trained" dogs I know are not trained well enough to come when called in most circumstances, walk on a flat collar without pulling, and listen to the owner in a distracting environment (I would consider these three qualities the credentials that make a dog a well-trained pet dog).

This is because obedience classes are more for the people than they are for the dog, and people get lazy and give up.

Higher standards for obedience classes? I would have to read the whole article I guess, but this seems like such an absurdly oblivious thesis... totally putting the cart before the horse. How about *any* standards whatsoever for pet owners, or dog trainers?

Well this is good news that Roger Hild and others are noticing this.  I know I am alone on this forum when I advocate that the dog professionals need to do a lot more for the owners and their dogs.  The responsible dog breeders need to stop belly aching about the BYB and do something to be more competitive in satifying the public need.  Ever take a course in marketing and economics, supply and demand.  The dog trainers need to loose their righteous arrogant attitude and figure out the proper way to talk to their paying clients.  Yes, pet owners need programs that work and there definitely should be a measurable expectation.  I pay a fee and I have expectations in return.  What is contributing to this decline?  All the previous posters state the owners are lazy and not committed to training.  That attitude creates the excuse for dog professional not to change their ways.

I thought about posting the link(s) (that our fellow iDogger game me), but I really didn't want this thread to continue the direction of whether or not he is right or wrong, rather - what are *your* opinions on this perceived decline. Might as well post the links now.

Wrong End of the Leash (or Why Lassie Ain#%92t Trained Yet)
http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsuro/_articles/wrong_end_leash.html

Smart Choices: Socialization, Play and Necessary Control
http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsuro/_articles/smart_choice_rants.html

* Pet Dog Training Standards: What to Look For by Roger Hild
http://www.tsurodogtraining.com/images/Up%20to%20Code.pdf

... more articles:http://www.tsurodogtraining.com/articles_of_interest.htm

The dog trainers need to loose their righteous arrogant attitude and figure out the proper way to talk to their paying clients.

 
The way you talk only matters if someone actually listens.
 
I go above and beyond for my clients...and know lots of trainers that do as well.  What I can't conceive is why people are willing to pay me $100/hour to help them, and then disregard the advice that I give.  I have a feeling that this problem is going to continue until I have a magic wand to wave over every dog that walks in the door. 
 
DPU what would you suggest that trainers do as professionals to improve our client dogs' behavior?  I can demonstrate everything, give them clear and precise protocols, follow up with them through out the week to make sure they stay on track, write it down, correct thier mistakes, give loads of advice, tell a funny stories, sugar coat everything, explain the process scientifically, show a video, let them read my book, be direct and striaght foward, beat around the bush, train their dog for them, teach them how to clicker train, teach them how to e-collar train, do power point presentations, put together spreadsheets of daily training schedules, pray for them, the list is endless.....
 
I have tried it all.  In the 11 years I have been doing this professionaly I have seen about 8000 dogs come through my doors...the only thing that determines whether or not training goes well is if THE OWNER PUTS IN THE TIME. 
 
On average, these days, dog trainers are MUCH more educated than 40 years ago.  Judging by todays standards, everyone that trained dogs in the 60's was pretty much a quack.  It wasn't their fault, there wasn't musch research.  Did they produce better behaved dogs?  Normally Yes...but that doesn't make them better (more educated) dogs trainers.
 
Blaming dog trainers for the behavior problems of the dog world is liking blaming personal trainers for all the fat people.  Are their a ton of crappy personal trainers...YES...is that the reason there are so many ridiculously obese people...no way.  It is an issue of follow through.  (Outside of the 4% of the population with a medical issue).  The rest...well..they just don't follow through...they cheat on diets, slack off at the gym, watch to much TV, and eventually fall right back onto the track that caused them to be so fat in the first place.  If only the paid professional new how to talk to them...if only they weren't so arrogant, there would be a lot less people dieing from obesity everyday.  Blaming the trainers is an excuse.
 
The same thing applies to dog training...are there a ton of crap trainers...sure. Are they the reason for all the behavior problems...NO.  I can say with 100% certainty that if people would follow through with what they need to do...almost all of the dogs in training would be well behaved (outside of the roughly 4% with actual behavioal medical problems).  There is no shortage of information on how to properly raise a dog...you just have to actually follow through with it. 
 
 
People need to stop blaming their trainers and spend that time working with their dogs!
 
 
 
 
 

Mic,

I've read a lot of Roger's articles before. I think he has one that addresses exactly what you are talking about. I'll see if I can find it if it's not in the links posted by Tina.

The owner end can be very difficult, and it starts with them. It's the human motivation, commitment, and consistancy factor. A dog is not something you just pay $100 to have "fixed". IMO
 
ETA link:
 
[linkhttp://www3.sympatico.ca/tsuro/_articles/emotionally_loaded.html]http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsuro/_articles/emotionally_loaded.html[/link]
 

The way that it works is that dog owners are the initiator for the dog's training needs.  After that it is in the hands of the trainers.  Success is yours to loose.  The way you talk is what makes a person listen.  The way you listen to the owner is backed up by the instructions and training techniques applied to the dog.  You are successful if your instructions work or even if there is hint of success, that is the motivation for the owner, but better yet a motivation to the dog to want to please and do the right things.  Who wants a dog that continually p's indoors.  Who wants a dog that constantly pulls on a leash.  Who wants a dog that jumps on people.  Etc.  When you fail the dog ends up in the shelter and probably PTS.  Trainers on this forum don't go near a dog with aggression or SA.  They advise PTS.  The trainer has the opportunity to be the hero.   Why can't they see this.

In another thread, I stated that cookie cutter trainer methods do not work for every dog.  And I believe that every dog is unique and will excel in some areas but fail in others.  Who else to blame but the professional for not taking in consideration that this hound has hound traits, that the dog has SA, and has emaciation in his past.  Why aren't dog variables and history considered in training.  Why don't you listen to me that the dog has a short attention span.  I think because the trainer is confronted with their shortcomings and want to only work with easy ones that guarantee success.  Forget the rest even if they respresent the majority.

No you haven't tried it all.  Out of the 8,000 dogs you probably have a good margin of success, otherwise why do what you do.  Good margin satisfies and makes one complacent.  It is the ones that you give up on that would make the margins higher.  Yes, more time would be needed initially but if the TRAINER PUTS IN THE TIME, then margins increases and less time would be required.   Everyone wins!

Added:  You are called a Professional Dog Trainer and the owner is called Owner, not Professional Dog Owner.  Who has the upper hand here and a title to boot.

ORIGINAL: DPU

Well this is good news that Roger Hild and others are noticing this.  I know I am alone on this forum when I advocate that the dog professionals need to do a lot more for the owners and their dogs. 
 

 
You are not alone. []
 

ORIGINAL: DPU
 
The dog trainers need to loose their righteous arrogant attitude and figure out the proper way to talk to their paying clients.  Yes, pet owners need programs that work and there definitely should be a measurable expectation.  I pay a fee and I have expectations in return.  What is contributing to this decline?  All the previous posters state the owners are lazy and not committed to training.  That attitude creates the excuse for dog professional not to change their ways.
 

 
There are two sides to this problem. Not every owner is like you and is involved with learning everything they can, or is involved with fostering.
 
Personally, I think (when possible and applicable) more canine professionals should offer some basic in the home evaluation and educational sessions for the owner, basic skill sessions in using a collar and leash,  tips on walking the dog, and showing the owner how to set boundaries and teach the dog some social skills...before selling training packages.

Many people simply want a dog they can live with in harmony. IMO

 
...There are two sides to this problem. Not every owner is like you and is involved with learning everything they can, or is involved with fostering. 

 
Yes, but it is not only learning everything and being involved with fostering.  It is reading the writings and the opinions of dog trainers on this board that makes me very vocal.  Fostering would be perfect synergy for dog trainers.  The trainer lives with dog and perfects their craft on different dogs with different issues.  The dogs wins because of the trainer's skill and would be much more adoptable.  I asked why trainers don't do fostering and the response I got from a high end trainer was that they don't want these dogs in their homes.  No one else responded to that statement so I guess its true.  Sorry state in my opinion.

The way that it works is that dog owners are the initiator for the dog's training needs.  After that it is in the hands of the trainers. 

 
It is in my hands until they leave the building (or I leave the house) and then it falls right back into their hands.
 

Success is yours to loose.

 
Actually Success is theirs to gain.
 

The way you listen to the owner is backed up by the instructions and training techniques applied to the dog. 

 
But the owner has to follow through with the techniques and instructions.
 

You are successful if your instructions work or even if there is hint of success, that is the motivation for the owner, but better yet a motivation to the dog to want to please and do the right things.

 
You would think that would be enough motivation for the owner, but it isn't normally.  It's like saying that each pund lost on a diet is enough motivation to lose the next.  Certainly not true.
 

  Who wants a dog that continually p's indoors.  Who wants a dog that constantly pulls on a leash.  Who wants a dog that jumps on people.  Etc.  

 
It is amazing, but a lot of the time the owners inately want the dog to have some kind of problem.  They are given the tools to fix it and then still choose not to. 
 

Trainers on this forum don't go near a dog with aggression or SA. 

 
Anymore, that's all I deal with.  Pleae check one of my business sites at [linkhttp://www.lastresortk9academy.com]www.lastresortk9academy.com[/link]
 
 

Who else to blame but the professional for not taking in consideration that this hound has hound traits, that the dog has SA, and has emaciation in his past.  Why aren't dog variables and history considered in training. 

 
These things are always considered (or should be).  And if it isn't taken into consideration then the trainer is at fault.  However, 9 times out of 10 this isn't why training fails.
 

Why don't you listen to me that the dog has a short attention span. 

 
I can tell if that is the case in about the first 2 minutes.  Owners are wrong more often then they are right about there dogs short comings. Although each dog is very different, their problems for the most part, are very similar.
 

I think because the trainer is confronted with their shortcomings and want to only work with easy ones that guarantee success.  Forget the rest even if they respresent the majority.

 
The easy ones are boring...I think it really has little to do with a trainers short comings.  Most trainers are psyched for the business, and happy to learn.
 

  No you haven't tried it all. 

 
Actually, I have tried it all....
 

It is the ones that you give up on that would make the margins higher.

 
I am never the one that gives up.  I always show up ready to work...
 

TRAINER PUTS IN THE TIME, then margins increases and less time would be required. 

 
I can put in the time, and even train the dog for them, but that doens't ever fix the problem.  The owner has to put in time and make the changes.
 

You are called a Professional Dog Trainer and the owner is called Owner, not Professional Dog Owner.  Who has the upper hand here and a title to boot.

 
I am called a Behaviorist...you think the owners would realize...I do have the upper hand...and a title to boot.

 

I asked why trainers don't do fostering and the response I got from a high end trainer was that they don't want these dogs in their homes. 

 
Just about every trainer I know does fostering...who is this high end trainer? 

I hope you are not another Awsomedog, or the same in disguise...picking apart my post and changing it contents in its entirety. 

If you think you have tried everything, try changing your attitude, that is make your mind reverse its thinking of your FIRST and LAST sentence.  Just try for a day.  See there is one more thing you can do.

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I have to disagree with Dunbar. I think more dogs are actually receiving training nowadays than ever before. When I was a kid, no one even considering doing any kind of formal training. The dog was housebroken, then pretty much ran wild outside, exercising himself. No one leash-trained the dogs, because they never walked them on leashes. Dogs who jumped up on people were brutally kicked in the belly or thrown down, so that didn't happen. The dogs were all happily off running around, so no barking problems.  They came home for supper, no need to teach a recall.  Aggression was sort of accepted-- if the dogs fought, that was their business. If a kid got bit, it was assumed the kid was teasing the dog and got what he deserved.
Nowadays most people at least consider enrolling in a basic class at one of the big box stores. The dog may not learn much, true, because the owners rarely do their homework.
Dog behavior problems are on the upswing because dogs nowadays aren't well socialized and are seriously under-exercised, both mentally and physically. Not because they aren't trained. Their basic needs aren't being met. And people have incredibly unrealistic ideas about basic dog behavior.