Dogs in the City: A Professional Trainer's Perspective on the New CBS Reality Show
by Cindy Ludwig, M.A., KPA-CTP
Originally published on HubPages, June 4, 2012
Originally published on HubPages, June 4, 2012
French Bulldog in Central Park, New York City
- Source: Alex Nikada
Introduction
Amid the news of an impending collapse of the European economy, a worsening crisis in the mideast and and an
increase in unemployment in the United States, CBS launched a new reality TV show this week called Dogs in the
City.
The show features Justin Silver in the starring role of New York City dog trainer. Silver is a stand-up comedian
who in 2005 founded a non-profit organization called Funny for Fido which provides funding for animal rescue
organizations and shelters. When he's not doing comedy, Silver volunteers at animal shelters and fosters and
"rehabilitates" dogs.
The first episode of the new series aired Wednesday, May 30 on CBS. Silver plays a role reminiscent of those
played by Cesar Milan, Victoria Stilwell, and Jackson Galaxy of The Cat From Hell fame as well as Supernanny, Jo
Frost. Silver is called to a crisis situation, with just the right touch of background music to add drama, to help sort out
relationship issues stemming from an ill-behaved pet.
increase in unemployment in the United States, CBS launched a new reality TV show this week called Dogs in the
City.
The show features Justin Silver in the starring role of New York City dog trainer. Silver is a stand-up comedian
who in 2005 founded a non-profit organization called Funny for Fido which provides funding for animal rescue
organizations and shelters. When he's not doing comedy, Silver volunteers at animal shelters and fosters and
"rehabilitates" dogs.
The first episode of the new series aired Wednesday, May 30 on CBS. Silver plays a role reminiscent of those
played by Cesar Milan, Victoria Stilwell, and Jackson Galaxy of The Cat From Hell fame as well as Supernanny, Jo
Frost. Silver is called to a crisis situation, with just the right touch of background music to add drama, to help sort out
relationship issues stemming from an ill-behaved pet.
American Bulldog With Flat Buckle Collar and Choke Chain Collar - Source: Carol Thacker
Beefy, the Bulldog
In the first episode Silver visits a newlywed couple with an English Bulldog named Beefy who rides the
skateboard. The problem is not Beefy's skateboarding habit, but rather the wedge Beefy has apparently driven
between his owner Patrick and Patrick's new wife, Erin. Erin feels like she plays second fiddle to the dog and Beefy is
demanding of Patrick's attention.
Erin also has difficulty walking Beefy. Beefy's preferred mode of travel is the skateboard and the only way Erin can walk Beefy is to carry a large blue exercise ball for him to follow! I had to wonder if this was really the case or was added into the script for interest by the writers. Surely a tasty piece of chicken or beef would work as well - but not be
as dramatic! I also had to wonder what I could teach this woman who can carry a large exercise ball while walking a
bulldog about clicker training - she would probably be a whiz!
Silver diagnosed Beefy with separation anxiety and proceeded to prescribe a treatment plan consisting of
erecting a baby gate between Beefy and the couple's bedroom. A close-up of Patrick's face showed how painful
this was for him. After a few barks and Silver instructing Patrick to tell Beefy to "be quiet" (which is not the way to stop
barking, by the way) Beefy walked away from the baby gate and is on his way to being cured of what Silver says is a
"pretty bad case of separation anxiety."
Separation anxiety should be diagnosed by a veterinarian but it usually consists of barking, whining and
destructive behavior after the owner leaves the dog at home. The onset of vocalizations and destructiveness
usually occurs within the first 30 minutes of the owner's absence. Beefy is reportedly without anxiety when Patrick is
not home.
The next order of business was to teach Beefy's owner how to walk him on a leash without having to carry a large exercise ball with her on the walk.
skateboard. The problem is not Beefy's skateboarding habit, but rather the wedge Beefy has apparently driven
between his owner Patrick and Patrick's new wife, Erin. Erin feels like she plays second fiddle to the dog and Beefy is
demanding of Patrick's attention.
Erin also has difficulty walking Beefy. Beefy's preferred mode of travel is the skateboard and the only way Erin can walk Beefy is to carry a large blue exercise ball for him to follow! I had to wonder if this was really the case or was added into the script for interest by the writers. Surely a tasty piece of chicken or beef would work as well - but not be
as dramatic! I also had to wonder what I could teach this woman who can carry a large exercise ball while walking a
bulldog about clicker training - she would probably be a whiz!
Silver diagnosed Beefy with separation anxiety and proceeded to prescribe a treatment plan consisting of
erecting a baby gate between Beefy and the couple's bedroom. A close-up of Patrick's face showed how painful
this was for him. After a few barks and Silver instructing Patrick to tell Beefy to "be quiet" (which is not the way to stop
barking, by the way) Beefy walked away from the baby gate and is on his way to being cured of what Silver says is a
"pretty bad case of separation anxiety."
Separation anxiety should be diagnosed by a veterinarian but it usually consists of barking, whining and
destructive behavior after the owner leaves the dog at home. The onset of vocalizations and destructiveness
usually occurs within the first 30 minutes of the owner's absence. Beefy is reportedly without anxiety when Patrick is
not home.
The next order of business was to teach Beefy's owner how to walk him on a leash without having to carry a large exercise ball with her on the walk.
|
Silver did a good thing when he advised the owner to part ways with the retractable leash. Retractable leashes are very popular but actually encourage dogs to pull. Much better is a leash of a fixed length made of nylon or leather. Silver removed Beefy's harness and replaced it with a Martingale neck collar. Martingale collars are designed for dogs such as greyhounds with necks that are larger in diameter than their heads. The collar design helps prevent these dogs from slipping out of their collars. Bulldogs are flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs without a neck to speak of and have difficulty with breathing due to their compressed nasal and oral passages. Breathing difficulties can lead to overheating and heat stroke, even heart failure. The sockets that contain their eyes are shallow, which means that their eyes can pop out, especially if there is undue pressure exerted behind the eyeballs, as can occur with a neck collar. For that reason, harnesses rather than neck collars are recommended for bulldogs and other brachycephalic dogs. |
Martingale-style Neck Collar - Source: Schizek
Black labrador retriever with Martingale-type collar on: the metal chain
should rest at the back of the neck. The ring with the tag attached is
for attaching the leash.
Source: pejft
|
Once collared, Silver instructed Beefy's owner how to give leash pops, also known by professional trainers as "leash corrections." Leash pops or "corrections" are sharp jerking motions applied to the leash to correct the dog for a
mistake or get its attention.
The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) advises against collar "yanking." Not only does this
leash-jerking action exert undue stress on the dog's neck, predisposing him to neck and indirectly to eye trauma, but
this action does little in the way of effective communication with the dog. From the dog's perspective, the mild jerks
given by Silver and then Erin probably do nothing more than annoy the dog while creating cumulative traumatic injury to
his neck.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB) also has something to say about leash
corrections. The AVSAB has a position statement that advises against correction, better known as punishment in
training and advises pet owners to avoid trainers who use force-based methods which rely on punishment for behavior
change. Actually, to be considered "punishment, " a correction needs to reduce the likelihood a behavior will reoccur in
the future. Repeated leash pops or corrections can be easily seen to fail to meet this definition.
So what are these leash pops then? Are they "cues," as Silver points out to Erin? The definition of a cue is a
signal that presents an opportunity for reinforcement. Reinforcement can be a food reward, play, petting, praise or
anything else the dog enjoys.
To positive reinforcement trainers, aka force-free trainers or reward-based trainers as well as psychologists and
behaviorists, reinforcement means something provided that will increase the likelihood a given behavior will be
repeated. Leash pops follow lagging behind and are not followed with a reward other than the cessation of the leash
pops. The leash pops actually provide a form of punishment, followed by negative reinforcement, the cessation of the
punishment (aka "correction").
Leash corrections are an outdated force-based method of training meant to get a dog's attention and correct him for mistakes, but at least for a few seconds it appears that this method has worked for Erin and Beefy.
The music fades in as Beefy begins walking with Erin at her side (with multiple "snaps") and Silver says, "Look at
that, you're walking your dog."
A safer, less averse and more effective way to teach Beefy to walk on a leash would be to let him know
when he has done something the owner likes that will be rewarded so he will repeat the desired behavior.
Clicker training is the perfect way to do this. The clicking sound produced by a small mechanical clicker
communicates to the dog when he has done something right. The sound of the click predicts a reward and the dog
repeats the behavior because it is rewarding. Once he learns what is expected, the frequency of reinforcement is
reduced, which ironically serves to strengthen the learned behavior.
Rosie, the Burnese Mountain Dog
There isn't much of a story here with Rosie, the Burnese Mountain Dog. The lead in to learning she has a need to learn
how to "leave it" is that Rosie is accustomed to walking in public and receiving lots of food treats from people
along her route.
how to "leave it" is that Rosie is accustomed to walking in public and receiving lots of food treats from people
along her route.
|
Rosie's owner, Greg and his daughter, Allie are concerned about her health and her possible overweight status since they previously lost a dog to health problems.
So, Silver, Greg and Allie made a visit to the vet who weighed Rosie and told all that her weight is within normal limits. However the veterinarian recommended that Rosie eat more kibble and fewer treats. Rosie needs to learn to "leave it." Silver took Rosie and her owners to the park and placed some food in front of Rosie. He corrected Rosie (who didn't yet know what the rules of the game were) when she moved toward the food with a sharp, "eh!" and then pushed her in the chest! Next he said, "Leave it!" and pushed her in the chest again! This is one place where Silver's lack of understanding of animal behavior and training really shows. From the dog's perspective, this has to be confusing. |
Burnese Mountain Dog - Source: Psinkeric
|
Next Silver put the meat on the ground and walked a few steps away, continuing to say, "Leave it" and "eh-eh-eh-eh!" as Rosie eyed the tasty morsel on the ground.
Dogs do not understand the meaning of words unless we teach them and the way professional animal trainers
teach words is by adding the names of behaviors after the animal has learned the behavior rather than at the same time they are teaching the behavior.
Additionally, the most effective way to teach an animal to "leave it" is by teaching it as a default behavior,
something that the animal learns to do voluntarily and automatically at the sight of food (the sight of food becoming the cue to "leave it") because she has learned that leaving it will be rewarding.
Dogs do not understand the meaning of words unless we teach them and the way professional animal trainers
teach words is by adding the names of behaviors after the animal has learned the behavior rather than at the same time they are teaching the behavior.
Additionally, the most effective way to teach an animal to "leave it" is by teaching it as a default behavior,
something that the animal learns to do voluntarily and automatically at the sight of food (the sight of food becoming the cue to "leave it") because she has learned that leaving it will be rewarding.
In order for punishment (e.g., verbal correction and pushing the dog) to be effective in causing behavior
change, it must be applied at the right intensity the first time and every time an animal performs an unwanted behavior. So, while shouting at Rosie to "leave it" may keep her from going for the food on the ground, it requires the presence of Silver, Greg or Allie to shout "leave it" every time Rosie sees food on the ground - or in someone's hand.
Rosie will learn the meaning of "leave it" (even perhaps the intended meaning) over time through repetition and
association (between the food and the unpleasant stimuli of being yelled at and pushed away) and to avoid these
unpleasant sensations by not moving toward the food. But she will also learn that when no one is there to shout, "leave
it" at her, the food may be available!
Teaching a young child to use verbal and physical correction with a dog to train it is extremely hazardous,
not to mention deleterious to the relationship between child and dog. All children need to learn how to interact with animals safely and effectively using positive reinforcement - without aversion.
The music starts again and we see a happy family walking away with their Bernese Mountain Dog, leaving us with the
impression that all is well. Rosie is not overweight and now supposedly the family knows how to keep Rosie from
accepting food treats along their daily walk s. Happy ending - or so it seems.
What remains untold is not only the proper way to teach a dog to "leave it" using positive reinforcement training
but the danger involved in teaching Rosie's family, including a young child to push Rosie in the chest and shout "No!"
In a recent study at the University of Pennsylvania researchers found that confrontational methods of dog training were associated with an increased incidence of aggression. Even yelling "No!" was considered confrontational and resulted in aggressive responses in 15% of the dogs in the study.
|
Of the 4.7 million dog bites in the United States that occur annually, more than half are to young children. Children are at risk for bites to the face since they are often at eye level with dogs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), two thirds of dog bites to children ages 4 and under are to the head and neck area. Dog bites are preventable, and two of the ways we can prevent them is by using positive reinforcement training and instructing children in safe interactions with dogs. |
Girl hugging stray dog: children need to be taught that dogs do not
like hugs and kisses.
Source: Anne Muscat Scerri
|
Charlotte's Aggression
Charlotte is a worried-looking dog that I believe has a bit more going on besides protecting her window seat and model agency owner, Elli in the office.
I do agree with Silver that this dog does not belong in the office, but his assessment of the situation was cursory at best. Poor Charlotte needs a lot more than to be separated from her doting owner. When Justin first met Elli and Charlotte, Charlotte had a regular flat collar on, but after Charlotte was tethered under the table she had a metal choke chain collar on! Not only did Charlotte have a choke chain on her neck but it was on backwards which prevents the free or "dead" end of the chain from traveling freely through the loop to avoid constant constriction of the dog's neck. While I do not advocate use of these draconian devices, they were designed to be used with leash corrections in which a sudden, sharp jerking motion is applied to the leash to quickly tighten and then immediately loosen around the dog's neck. |
Puggle (Cross Between a Pug and a Beagle) - Source: Scott Schopieray
|
They were not designed to provide constant pressure and asphyxiate. Dogs should never be left unattended with these collars on and they should never be tied to anything with them on.
Those of us who work with dogs with aggression in our daily work know full well the hazards involved when two dogs
are meeting on leash, let alone one dog that is tethered to a stationary object. Dogs have basically two options when
they feel threatened, one being to flee and the other to attack. Dogs that are tethered are trapped and have but one
option, and that is to attack .
are meeting on leash, let alone one dog that is tethered to a stationary object. Dogs have basically two options when
they feel threatened, one being to flee and the other to attack. Dogs that are tethered are trapped and have but one
option, and that is to attack .
|
Charlotte's body language indicated she was anxious. Her mouth was closed a lot of the time and I felt she was living very close to her threshold for biting most of the time. When she was tethered underneath the table in Elli's office, she looked anxious with the whites of her eyes showing, something we call "whale eye."
The fact that Charlotte lunged at Lucy when Lucy came too close was entirely predictable and should not have been allowed to happen. This experience only served to further sensitize Charlotte to the presence of other dogs. She lunged aggressively on leash tightening the choke chain collar around her neck, and since dogs learn by association, Charlotte's fear of other dogs was only made worse by the pain caused by the choke chain around her neck. |
Anxious Chihuahua: Note the whites of the eyes and paw lift.
Source: knape
|
Silver explained that he expects a "dog to act out" and that if the dog doesn't act out while doing the
"drills," there's "no exercise." This is inconsistent with accepted protocols of behavior modification. In real behavior
modification, the dog is placed through exercises while keeping the dog under his or her threshold for reaction. If the dog reacts, the dog is further sensitized rather than desensitized to the triggering event.
Charlotte needs to be placed in a safe and secure environment, possibly at home with visits from a dog walker or
sitter. Her owner needs the assistance of a Board-certified Veterinary Behaviorist (DACVB), Certified Applied
Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or trainer with knowledge and experience in behavior modification to do a thorough
assessment and develop an individualized treatment plan that would include standard methods of behavior modification
such as desensitization and counterconditioning along with adjunctive therapies such as an Anxiety Wrap and
possibly medication.
Ideally a veterinary behaviorist would make the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment, including medication if indicated. At the very least a veterinarian needs to be involved to rule out medical causes for Charlotte's aggression.
When Charlotte was ready she could have been brought to the office, but staying in the office where she could
experience continuing stress and repeated incidents will only serve to further sensitize her.
One major problem with these "reality" television shows is that they tend to present an oversimplification of
complex behavior issues. Successful treatment of behavior problems requires an in depth assessment and a
multifaceted approach. Always the dog's underlying emotional status needs to be kept in mind for any true and lasting
behavior change to occur.
"drills," there's "no exercise." This is inconsistent with accepted protocols of behavior modification. In real behavior
modification, the dog is placed through exercises while keeping the dog under his or her threshold for reaction. If the dog reacts, the dog is further sensitized rather than desensitized to the triggering event.
Charlotte needs to be placed in a safe and secure environment, possibly at home with visits from a dog walker or
sitter. Her owner needs the assistance of a Board-certified Veterinary Behaviorist (DACVB), Certified Applied
Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or trainer with knowledge and experience in behavior modification to do a thorough
assessment and develop an individualized treatment plan that would include standard methods of behavior modification
such as desensitization and counterconditioning along with adjunctive therapies such as an Anxiety Wrap and
possibly medication.
Ideally a veterinary behaviorist would make the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment, including medication if indicated. At the very least a veterinarian needs to be involved to rule out medical causes for Charlotte's aggression.
When Charlotte was ready she could have been brought to the office, but staying in the office where she could
experience continuing stress and repeated incidents will only serve to further sensitize her.
One major problem with these "reality" television shows is that they tend to present an oversimplification of
complex behavior issues. Successful treatment of behavior problems requires an in depth assessment and a
multifaceted approach. Always the dog's underlying emotional status needs to be kept in mind for any true and lasting
behavior change to occur.
In Conclusion
There were a number of oversights and inappropriate training interventions in this first episode of Dogs in
the City. While the formula for entertainment may work to improve ratings and improve the bottom line it has
potentially disastrous consequences for dog owners and their dogs.
Professional trainers work diligently to dispel misinformation promulgated by television personalities and educate dog
owners about dog behavior and humane and effective training techniques. This program is touted as a "reality show" and so viewers are led to believe that the assessments made and training methods used in this program are those used by training and behavior professionals. In fact, they are not.
Dog training is not intuitive. It is a profession that requires knowledge of animal behavior and training that can only
be learned through serious study under the tutelage of credentialed mentors. Like other professions, dog training and
behavior modification is not only defined by a body of specialized knowledge, but the artful application of science-based
principles. Since dog training is an unlicensed profession, and since many people own dogs and have been
around dogs, the profession is vulnerable to imposters who can claim to be dog trainers by virtue of their mere association with dogs.
Dog owners need to be very careful about where they obtain dog training advice. At the end of this article I
have provided links for additional reading about how to select a dog trainer as well as information about training and behavior.
Two dog trainer programs that produce high caliber reward-based trainers are the Jean Donaldson http://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/ and the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior and Training. In Europe, Kay Laurence, proprietor of Learning About Dogs offers a clicker training certification program consisting of 4 levels: CAP (Competency Assessment Programme) 1, CAP 2, CAP 3 and CAP 4. Kay Laurence, like Karen Pryor and Jean Donaldson is one of the world's foremost positive reinforcement animal training instructors.
Additionally, some individuals work toward independent certification through the Certification Counsel for
Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) to earn the Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) credential, but a word of
caution - certification as a CPDT only means an individual has passed a test. It does not guarantee adherence to any
particular type of training.
Up until recently there was not a skills assessment component for CPDT certification. Now dog trainers can earn the
CPDT-KA (CPDT-knowledge assessed) or the CPDT-KSA (CPDT knowledge and skills assessed) credential. Other
dog trainer schools beside the Academy for Dog Trainers and the Karen Pryor Academy certify their graduates, but
these programs vary widely in what they teach and the quality of instruction.
There are excellent trainers without degrees or certifications, but beware, education and training are at least some
indication that a trainer has learned something about animal behavior and training.
Caveat emptor (Let the buyer beware) See the links following this article for information on how to select a dog trainer as well as other relevant information from reliable sources. Please do your homework!
the City. While the formula for entertainment may work to improve ratings and improve the bottom line it has
potentially disastrous consequences for dog owners and their dogs.
Professional trainers work diligently to dispel misinformation promulgated by television personalities and educate dog
owners about dog behavior and humane and effective training techniques. This program is touted as a "reality show" and so viewers are led to believe that the assessments made and training methods used in this program are those used by training and behavior professionals. In fact, they are not.
Dog training is not intuitive. It is a profession that requires knowledge of animal behavior and training that can only
be learned through serious study under the tutelage of credentialed mentors. Like other professions, dog training and
behavior modification is not only defined by a body of specialized knowledge, but the artful application of science-based
principles. Since dog training is an unlicensed profession, and since many people own dogs and have been
around dogs, the profession is vulnerable to imposters who can claim to be dog trainers by virtue of their mere association with dogs.
Dog owners need to be very careful about where they obtain dog training advice. At the end of this article I
have provided links for additional reading about how to select a dog trainer as well as information about training and behavior.
Two dog trainer programs that produce high caliber reward-based trainers are the Jean Donaldson http://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/ and the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior and Training. In Europe, Kay Laurence, proprietor of Learning About Dogs offers a clicker training certification program consisting of 4 levels: CAP (Competency Assessment Programme) 1, CAP 2, CAP 3 and CAP 4. Kay Laurence, like Karen Pryor and Jean Donaldson is one of the world's foremost positive reinforcement animal training instructors.
Additionally, some individuals work toward independent certification through the Certification Counsel for
Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) to earn the Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) credential, but a word of
caution - certification as a CPDT only means an individual has passed a test. It does not guarantee adherence to any
particular type of training.
Up until recently there was not a skills assessment component for CPDT certification. Now dog trainers can earn the
CPDT-KA (CPDT-knowledge assessed) or the CPDT-KSA (CPDT knowledge and skills assessed) credential. Other
dog trainer schools beside the Academy for Dog Trainers and the Karen Pryor Academy certify their graduates, but
these programs vary widely in what they teach and the quality of instruction.
There are excellent trainers without degrees or certifications, but beware, education and training are at least some
indication that a trainer has learned something about animal behavior and training.
Caveat emptor (Let the buyer beware) See the links following this article for information on how to select a dog trainer as well as other relevant information from reliable sources. Please do your homework!
Good Form! Source: J.Tyler
For More Information
Training & Behavior
If You're Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too, Says Veterinary Study
Use and Outcome of Confrontational and Non-confrontational Training Methods (University of Pa study)
Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior)
CDC - Dog Bite: Facts
Separation Anxiety (Landsberg, DVM, DACVB)
How to Select A Trainer
How to Select A Trainer (American College of Veterinary Behaviorists)
Position Statement: Behavior Professionals (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior)
How To Find the Right Trainer for Your Pup (Radosta, DVM, DACVB)
When Choosing a Dog Trainer, Buyer Beware! | Dog Star Daily
Finding a Good Dog Trainer (Kate Senisi)
How to Find a Good Dog Trainer (Conway, CABC)
How To Find The Best Dog Trainer For Your Dog - Whole Dog Journal Article
About Justin Silver
Justin Silver bio
Justin Silver's website
If You're Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too, Says Veterinary Study
Use and Outcome of Confrontational and Non-confrontational Training Methods (University of Pa study)
Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior)
CDC - Dog Bite: Facts
Separation Anxiety (Landsberg, DVM, DACVB)
How to Select A Trainer
How to Select A Trainer (American College of Veterinary Behaviorists)
Position Statement: Behavior Professionals (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior)
How To Find the Right Trainer for Your Pup (Radosta, DVM, DACVB)
When Choosing a Dog Trainer, Buyer Beware! | Dog Star Daily
Finding a Good Dog Trainer (Kate Senisi)
How to Find a Good Dog Trainer (Conway, CABC)
How To Find The Best Dog Trainer For Your Dog - Whole Dog Journal Article
About Justin Silver
Justin Silver bio
Justin Silver's website
Resources
Professional Reward-based Dog Trainers
Karen Pryor Academy: Find A Great Trainer
The Academy for Dog Trainers (Jean Donaldson)
Karen Pryor Academy: Find A Great Trainer
The Academy for Dog Trainers (Jean Donaldson)
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