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THE NEW IPDTA
Our Mandate Has Changed!
Setting the
International Standard for Humane Dog Training!
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IF YOU DON'T
WANT ANYONE TO DO IT TO YOU
DON'T DO IT
TO ANYONE ELSE - ANIMAL OR HUMAN! |

Disclaimer
Find
a Trainer
About IPDTA
What is
Abuse?
Research Findings
Dogs in Need Fund
The
Dominance Theory
The Word 'Positive' in our Name
Events, Conference & Awards
Banquet
Founder & Chair
Tools &
Techniques - Acceptable or Not?
Norma Jeanne with
DVD - What Every Dog Owner and
Trainer Should Know
Kimo, Wile E and Rain
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Lecture DVD
Now Available
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT VS. POSITIVE PUNISHMENT
Lecture by
IPDTA Founder & Chair
Norma Jeanne
"Because it has been proven that fear inhibits one's
ability to learn, remember and make correct choices,
because fear accounts for 97% of dog bites, and because
there are so many humane and effective alternatives, I
believe there is no need or excuse for the use of fear
or pain in dog training!" Norma Jeanne
$20 plus S&H
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Welcome to
IPDTA
Hello! My name is Norma Jeanne. I am Founder and
Chair of IPDTA - the International Positive Dog Training Association. The
word “positive” in our name refers to our goal to make training, and
everyday life as pleasant as possible for our dogs. We all love our dogs
and don’t want to frighten or hurt them - the good news is that's not
necessary.
I founded IPDTA in 2002, and we have members in
nine countries and are still growing. At that time, I was a member of both
CAPPDT (Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers), and APDT,
(American Pet Dog Training Association). Both associations claimed to
promote dog-friendly training techniques in their mandate and advertising,
but neither would define what is, or more importantly, what is not
“dog-friendly.” I felt it was time for someone to take a stand for the
dogs. I was tired of people making excuses for abusing dogs in the name of
dog training.
As well as educating dog trainers about humane
alternatives, our mandate includes setting the international standard
for the humane treatment of dogs. We do this through setting an example
with our own behaviour by treating all living things with respect, and by
learning and educating about but not limited to;
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tools and techniques for creating and changing
canine behaviour to ensure that a dog’s learning and living experience
is pleasant and effective
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fair and realistic expectations in canine
companionship and training
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a dog’s physical, emotional and psychological
well-being and basic needs
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creating a strong human/canine bond based on
mutual trust and respect
An IPDTA member believes that anything designed to
intimidate or cause fear or pain is not acceptable, and that any tool or
technique immediately becomes unacceptable the moment the dog shows fear,
pain or distress. We are well aware that any tool can be abused.
Punishment in training may achieve short term results, but simply creates
avoidance and the only long term lesson the dog learns is to fear the
handler.
A high percentage of people including dog trainers
are unable to meet the criteria necessary for the humane and effective
application of aversive tools. In fact, using aversive tools and techniques
is more likely to:
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result in physical,
emotional and/or psychological trauma for the dog
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compromise temperament,
create new behaviour problems and superstitious cues
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create an overall
unpleasant experience for the dog.
Therefore, punishment comes with extremely high
risk and as result is unacceptable
by IPDTA standards.
Since the majority of dog bites are defensive
bites caused by fear, maintaining trust and mutual respect with a dog is
critical. Aversive tools and techniques erode the trust bond between the
human and dog,
Because there are so many effective, humane
alternatives that offer little or no risk for each and every training,
behaviour and aggression problem, the IPDTA believes there is no need for
the use of aversive tools or techniques.
It is my understanding that most dog owners and
dog trainers love dogs and want to create a pleasant experience for the dog
using effective tools and techniques. Because of this, we have made it our
responsibility to provide these owners and trainers with numerous humane and
effective options.
To date IPDTA has researched six commonly used
training tools. Our research findings include the following information
about each of these tools:
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the intended operant sequence
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the intended use and application of the tool
or technique
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the parameters of proper application
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benefits
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risks and warnings including; physical,
behavioral, psychological, and mechanical
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limitations
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viable alternatives
After years of running successful dog training
schools without the use of intimidation, fear or pain, I know that
punishment based training is unnecessary. How would you prefer to learn?
Would you rather be forced to do something or asked and rewarded when you do
it? There are as many ways to train as there are trainers but my rule of
thumb is simple – if you wouldn't want someone doing it to you, you don't do
it to anything else, animal or human!
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There are numerous benefits to IPDTA
membership;
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Our members host fund-raising events for our
Dogs In Need Fund. These funds are donated to those in need of
financial aid for surgeries, rescue etc.
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We host a conference featuring some of the
best dog experts in the industry
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We host an awards banquet to honour those who
make the world a better place for animals
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Our on-line PawPrint newsletter
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Access to our email group and the knowledge of
many respected dog trainers.
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voting privileges
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access to our V.I.P. webpage
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the privilege to earn lifetime membership
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use of the IPDTA logo for website and
advertising
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IPDTA weather-proof stickers
If you are of like mind or would like to make all
your relationships more positive, you are welcome to join us. We encourage
dog lovers and trainers world-wide to: train dogs while treating them with
the dignity and respect any living creature deserves, to make learning and
everyday life an enjoyable experience, and to create relationship bond based
on mutual respect and trust.
Sincerely;
Norma Jeanne Laurette; IPDTA Founder and Chair
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What is abuse?
Abuse is
physical, emotional or psychological injury caused by mistreatment
or the misuse of power associated with authority. It is a
corrupt practice or custom, improper or excessive use or treatment.
It is a deceitful act, it is a communication that condemns or
vilifies unjustly, intemperately and angrily. Abuse can be
either intentional or unintentional.
The IPDTA
defines abuse in training and behaviour modification as the use of
any tool or technique that was created or used with the intent to
cause harm to a dog including but not limited to; injury, pain,
fear, or mistrust, be it physical, psychological, emotional or
behavioural.
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Those who truly love dogs do not wish to frighten or
hurt them!!! |
The IPDTA
believe the following tools or techniques come with high risk and as
result are not to be used by IPDTA members; choke chains, pinch
collars, shock equipment, alpha rollovers and other forms of
physical pushing, punishing and/or domination, hanging, kicking or
hitting of any kind, or any other tool or technique that causes fear
or pain for the dog. Any tool or technique designed to be
aversive in nature is not to be used by our members.
The IPDTA
believe that any use of punishment, force or un-necessary restraint
(exceptions such as a leash used humanely for safety) is
un-necessary and unacceptable.
Pinch/Prong
Collar Damage
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The Word 'Positive' in our
Name
The word "positive"
in our name refers to our goal to make training as pleasant as possible for
dogs. It does not refer to positive reinforcement or positive punishment.
For more information please read our Mandate, Charter & Constitution.
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The “Dominance”
Theory
By Norma Jeanne Laurette
Let me begin by saying that like most of
you, I was taught the “dominance” theory - as it pertains to our
relationship with pet dogs. Within my first year of instructing dog
training classes, I stopped using choke chains, pinch (prong)
collars, alpha rollovers and all use of force or physical punishment
because I quickly realized the potential harm to a dog’s physical,
emotional and/or psychological well being. This potential for harm
can destroy the trust our dogs have in us, and as a result, the bond
between a dog and its owner can be easily corrupted. Since trust
and respect are sides of the same coin, I feel the dog's trust in
its owner must be protected at all cost. Let’s face it, it takes
years to learn to trust someone explicitly, yet that trust can be
destroyed in the blink of an eye.
Along the same lines, I no longer use the
words “obedience” or “command” in association with training.
According to The Oxford Dictionary, “obedience” means “submissive
to another's will.” The word “command” has its negative
connotations as well. Instead I use the words “training” and
“cue.” Because training should be a fun and positive experience for
both the dog and its guardians, I have chosen to remove all words
from my training program that imply unpleasant associations or any
type of force.
At that point in my career I didn't
realize there were many trainers already using positive methods. I
was convinced I was the only one in my city with the beliefs I held,
and I felt very much alone. Since then, I have met so many of
like-mind, and I've learned so much. I continue to learn every
day. I'm happy to say, my city now consists almost totally of
positive reinforcement dog trainers.
Although I no longer taught the use of
tools or techniques that involved pushing or punishing, I did teach
the “dominance” theory and the importance of “leading the pack”.
Over the past few years this theory has been challenged, and as a
result, I renewed my research on the subject. Although we need to
be good leaders in order to guide and protect our dogs, this
“leadership” has nothing to do with dominance.
There is a
common belief among dog owners and trainers that dogs will challenge
their owners in attempt to rise in rank, and lead the pack. This
theory has been around for decades, and although still popular, many
of the most respected canine behaviour experts now believe this
concept to be incorrect, and assert that we have misinterpreted the
dog's motivation.
Dog
owners and trainers often use the “dominance” theory to explain and
make excuses for a variety of unwanted canine behaviours. This
concept is also used to justify the use of aversive tools and
techniques designed to over-power a dog with the objective of
intimidating the dog into subservience in order to stop unwanted
behaviours. This type of “training” works by virtue of the concept
that the dog becomes afraid to “behave” in certain manners for fear
of punishment. These techniques teach avoidance but do nothing to
teach an alternative behaviour or address the root cause of the
problem. It’s much like doctors who treat pain with pain killers as
opposed to curing the disease. Unfortunately, this approach has
cost many dogs their lives. “Dominance exercises” commonly cause
fear, aggression and other unwanted behaviour that result in
suffering by the dog and often euthanasia. In one case, a trainer
in Florida actually killed a dog while attempting to force it into
submission. After muzzling the dog and sitting on it for over an
hour, the dog lost consciousness and later that day, had to be
euthanized due to its injuries.
R10
The
concept of “ranking” comes from the idea that a wolf will challenge
another of similar rank, hopefully winning the challenge thereby
gaining higher status and eventually leading the pack. Many believe
this behaviour has been passed down over thousands of years
affecting the behaviour of domestic dogs and their interactions with
their human guardians. R1
In
reality, only “unacquainted” wolves living in captivity behave in a
manner that appears as though they are competing for “status,” due
to confined artificially created territories and limited resources.
R7
Wolf
packs living in the wild are dominated by one alpha male and female
breeding pair, who guide and protect their cubs.
R9
As soon as they are old enough to mate, these cubs will leave the
pack to find mates, and raise families of their own. This would
mean that every wolf healthy enough and able to find a mate will be
“alpha” at one time or another during its lifespan, but only while
raising its young.
During
the socialization period of development, a puppy is imprinted with
recognition of its own species. As
a result, dogs do not identify humans as “canines” or “pack members”
because we smell, = and behave differently.
R2
According to John Fisher, because we are not perceived as dogs by
dogs, they will not compete with us for rank.
R3
With “alpha” position comes the responsibility of providing for the
pack and because we provide everything our dogs need, such as food,
shelter, protection etc., it would be counter-productive for a dog
to challenge us for “alpha” position.
R4
According to Coppinger dogs became
isolated from their wild ancestors long ago resulting in a new
species, the Canis Familiaris - the domestic dog.
R6
Although some wolf-like behaviour remains in the domestic dog –
because they are a different species
it is not realistic to assume all dog behaviour will be the same as
those of the wolf. However, if we choose to compare domestic
dog behaviour to it's natural ancestors, it only makes sense that we
should compare it to the wild wolf, not wolves attempting to survive
in the face of human interference.
R5
Every canine behaviour blamed on
“dominance” is normal in canine terms and can be explained by simple
motivation and reinforcement. It's quite simple, dogs want good
things.
R11
If you saw a $100 bill lying in the street would you not pick it
up? Why then is a dog helping itself to your dinner “dominant” when
they are scavengers by nature? It's not a “dominant” dog that takes
your food it's a normal dog doing what comes naturally to its
species. It’s not about dominance it’s about resources and the ever
strong survival instinct.
This is what I believe now; one of the few
commonalities between dogs and humans is – some are more assertive
than others. Dogs that are more assertive will try harder to secure
and hold onto valued resources, be it attention, food, comfortable
sleeping places, freedom to run and explore etc. Because a dog’s
human companion controls all the resources, the human becomes the
most valuable resource of all. Dogs that are less assertive are
quicker to relinquish the resource to a more assertive dog or
human. Since it's about the resource, it stands to reason – if you
can control what the dog values, you can control the dog. An
assertive dog is more of a challenge to train, but it has nothing to
do with dominance. If you use the intelligence of this assertive
dog to your advantage, you can shape an amazing companion.
Although it may seem as though we are
“splitting hairs” with terminology, the main difference is this.
According to The Oxford Dictionary, “Dominance” means “in control
over a group” and “assertive” means “to insist.” An assertive dog
is challenging a person or another dog to win resources that it
wishes to control, not to control the other person or dog;
therefore, a dog’s competition for a desired resource has nothing to
do with ranking, it has to do with the resource.
The bottom line is this: if we want dogs
to behave in a manner that is not natural to its species, we have to
control the environment to prevent the natural - yet unwanted
behaviour. We also have to teach new, incompatible behaviours and
reinforce them. Although dogs need guidance to be good companions,
“dominating” them has proven to be counter-productive at the very
least, and extremely abusive at its worst. It's time to teach those
around us, dog owners and dog trainers alike, to stop blaming,
labelling and punishing dogs with a “dominance” tag. When the
world becomes aware that it is not only easier, it is also more fun
and productive, to teach instead of punish, only then will the world
be a more humane place for dogs. With so many positive and
effective options available to us, there is no excuse. My rule of
thumb is simple – if you don’t want someone doing it to you, you
don’t do it to anyone else, animal or human.
References
R1 -
Dominance Fact or Fiction Barry Eaton 2002, Page 4 – Dominance:
Where Does It Come From?
R2 -
Dominance Fact or Fiction Barry Eaton 2002, Page 4 – Pack Theory
R3 - Diary of
a Dotty Dog Doctor, John Fisher 1997
R4 -
Dominance Fact or Fiction Barry
Eaton 2002, Page 5 – Pack Theory
R5 - Dominance Fact or
Fiction Barry Eaton 2002, Page 7 – Origins Of The Pack Rules
R6 - The Domestic Dog,
Edited by James Serpell 1999
R7 - Dominance Fact or
Fiction Barry Eaton 2002, Page 6 and 7 – Origins Of The Pack Rules
R8 - Dominance Fact or
Fiction Barry Eaton 2002, Page 7 – Origins Of The Pack Rules
R9 - Alpha Status, and
Division of Labor in Wolf Packs, David Mech, 2000
R10 -
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcentral/content/local_news/epaper/2006/07/19/s1b_deaddog_0719.html
R11 –
The
Power of Positive Dog Training, Pat Miller, Howell Book House, Wiley
Publishing Inc., 2001
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Disclaimer
Web Links
Because anyone can link to our site from theirs
without our permission, be advised that a link to our site does not mean the IPDTA
supports or endorses the originating site or anything on it, including but
not limited to; products, services, techniques, ideas or opinions.
Award Winners
Those that have received awards from CCS/IPDTA
have been awarded for individual accomplishments. This does not mean that
CCS or the IPDTA supports or endorses everything the individual or dog
trainer does, including but not limited to; the sale of products, services,
techniques, their ideas or opinions.
Lecturers
The IPDTA may hire speakers that may use tools
or techniques that we do not agree with, as long as we do not feel they are
abusing dogs, as we believe these chosen speakers have valuable information
to share with us.
CCS Students or Grads
Because I can give you a tool, but cannot make
you use it, because I cannot control the words or actions of others, Puppy
Power, CCS, Puppy Power and Canine Communication Studies, Canine
Communication Studies Inc., Norma Jeanne, Norma Jeanne Laurette and any and
all combinations of the above, will not be held responsible for the words,
actions, reproductions or writings of any student or graduate of Puppy Power
and/or Canine Communication Studies.
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