Real World Dog Training

""Dog training today suffers from an ideology, and this book is the antidote. Years ago, renowned behavioral psychologist B. F. Skinner claimed that punishment was ineffective for controlling behavior. He fueled a well-meaning but misguided movement against even mild correction in animal training-from pigeons to people. But research shows that Skinner was wrong: punishment is effective, natural, and necessary.Through vivid examples and careful explanations, experienced dog trainer Tully Williams shows how punishment is part of life and, when properly applied makes a better, happier dog (and owner!) than reward-only methods. A 'balance-trained' dog not only learns faster but winds up happier than those unfortunate animals trained by less effective methods based not on science, but on ideology.A great and necessary book."" - Professor John Staddon (James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience). ""A must-read for veterinary professionals-and indeed all dog trainers-who value science- and evidence-based methods. My own dogs are proof that what Tully says and teaches, works."" - Dr Deborah Maxwell BVSc (Veterinarian and Working Dog Trainer) ""It only takes a little reflection on our own lives to see how much of our behaviour involves avoiding consequences that will hurt us. We avoid touching a hot stove, driving through red lights, and making jokes in immigration queues at airports. We do these things not because somebody has rewarded us for doing so, but because the world in which we've evolved naturally arranges aversive consequences. And we learn very quickly and efficiently to avoid them. We share this evolutionary history with other animals, including dogs. So it's both surprising and misguided that the dog-training profession has been so strongly influenced by an ideology that demonizes the use of punishment. We should, apparently, never even say 'no' to our dogs. This philosophy of only allowing our dogs to use half of the learning system they've evolved to have not only results in training methods that are time-consuming and often ineffective, but betrays a serious misunderstanding of learning principles researched through 100 years of behavioural psychology, including unjustified appeals to research that has been debunked long ago. Tully Williams' important book draws on both his extensive experience as a dog trainer and on his confident understanding of learning principles. It is a much-needed and bracing corrective to the misguided 'reward only' approach, and it's also an engaging and entertaining read. This book should be required reading for all dog trainers, and probably for all dog owners as well."" - Professor Douglas Elliffe (Former Head of Psychology and Deputy Dean of Science, University of Auckland) ""The dog training world is in crisis! More dogs are ending up in shelters due to unresolved behavioural issues than ever before. At the root of this growing problem is the rise of the 'Force Free' cult-an ideology that dismisses tried and tested training methods, leaving dogs and owners without real solutions.In Real World Dog Training, Tully Williams boldly challenges this ideology. Drawing on decades of experience across multiple training disciplines, he delivers a powerful critique of the force-free approach and supports it with evidence of what truly works-and what doesn't. An essential read for professional dog trainers and dedicated dog owners alike."" - Alan Brooks (International Award Winning Guide Dog Specialist)