Experts explore the many sides of training dogs and improving behavior

— Search for "dog training" on the Internet, and you'll be inundated with company Web sites proclaiming that they possess the answers to all things related to behavior.

Whether a pet owner is looking for basic obedience training or how to solve pesky problems with their puppy, there's no shortage of options.

But veterinarians warn that dog owners need to know the difference between different types of training techniques, and that some of them can be considered questionable in their approach and possibly harmful to dogs. It's also critically important that dog owners understand that trainers differ greatly from behaviorists when it comes to getting to the root of a behavior issue.

Dog behavior controversies, as well as how to identify humane trainers and the science behind electronic training tools for dogs are just a few of the timely animal behavior topics that will be addressed during the American Veterinary Medical Association's 146th Annual Convention in Seattle, Wash.

Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, will address a variety of behavior-related issues in her program, "Controversies in Veterinary Behavior," which is being held on Sunday, July 12. One topic she'll cover is the important difference between dog trainers and veterinary behaviorists.

"Dog trainers are not behaviorists," Beaver said. "They do know some behavior, but not at the depth or breadth that a behaviorist does. A trainer is a person who can teach a dog or other animal to perform certain actions in response to a command, which the dog is taught to understand."

"A veterinary behaviorist is a veterinarian who has advanced training in behavior," she said. "This person deals with all aspects of behavior, not just training. ... The veterinary behaviorist is our profession's equivalent of a combined psychologist and psychiatrist."

"These (training) lessons may be part of a treatment protocol so that owners can get a better working relation with their dog, but using obedience lessons alone will rarely 'cure' a problem," she said.

One of the most contentious approaches to dog training is the use of electronic training tools like hand-held training devices, bark-activated collars and products designed to keep dogs from licking themselves.

Dr. Gerrard Flannigan, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, will explore the controversies and the science behind these products in his program, "It's Shocking! Electronic Training Tools in Companion Animals," on Sunday, July 12.

"The use of electronic training tools in companion animals is extremely controversial," Flannigan said. "The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has a position statement against the use of punishment as a first-line or early use treatment for behavior problems."

While the use of aversive training products has its critics, the use of such techniques is fairly widespread, Flannigan said.

"The use of aversives is not uncommon in dog training," he said. "In a recent survey performed through the University of Bristol, 88 percent of dogs had received some form of training. Of the dogs in training, 72 percent of owners used some form of positive punishment. Although there has been a move toward the use of positive reinforcement-only training, a large percentage of owners are going to use aversives in training."

Dr. Lore Haug, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, says there's no shortage of places where people can get advice about animal training. But there are just as many pitfalls as there are advantages in gathering this information.

"If you spend enough time around people who raise and/or train pets, you can accumulate a multitude of apparent bits of wisdom," said Haug, who will address "Common Misconceptions of the Principles of Learning," during a talk on Saturday, July 11. "Unfortunately, many of these tidbits are either unsubstantiated or downright false. At best, this information is misleading and at its worst, it results in the use of disturbingly abusive and harmful training practices."

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The AVMA and its more than 78,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health.