http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iaHeVynJ…
I was doing some youtube browsing and came across this video of Victoria Stilwell proclaiming herself as the 'God of dog training' *AHEM*.... her reason for this was that she follows the best in this country which, from the location and earlier statement, i am taking to mean the best scientists and behaviourists....Question : How do you judge a dog trainer & what criteria enables them to claim themselves to be at the top of their professionExtra Question : What legitimate university awards PhD degrees in dog behaviour and training? Specifically dogs, not the study of broad animal behaviour, marine animals or social mammals or ecology in animal habits or rats or geese. Something that doesn't only teach dog behaviour, but also teaches training and manipulation of behaviour?
Dog Training - 8 Ways to Cut Down on Behavior Problems
Recommended Answer:OMG...I am trying to eat, I look in here and I see a question about a former porn star and current cheap pole dancer who tries to pass as a dog trainer. Then I look at the vid and I lose my appetite and what I had already eaten, thanks!!!!
The reality of that idiot is that she is nothing more then a wanna-be something, a dog trainer she is NOT!!! Stuffing a dog with treats is NOT training, its feeding and its bad for its health and hers!!!
ADD: And Auborn has a great detection dog program, UC Davies has a great PhD program in animal behavior, etc, however, monkeys and chickens and rats are also animals...does that make me an expert in them if my focus has been on dogs for 31 years?
People simply need to get REAL here, a PhD in religion does not qualify one to practice psychology, why does a PhD in rats make you qualified to preach about dogs and how to train one?
A trainer that is at the top of their profession is someone that has provided dogs in his field of choice, has trained, imported, sold, titled and worked with these dogs personally so he can walk the walk too!!
He is someone that is a wealth of info on all matters dog related who can sit and discuss those matters, maybe do a seminar and people can feel like they have learned something.
As far as your last question, there are NO LEGIT Universities ANYWHERE in the States that offer a PhD in any dog strictly related field and it does amaze me how some so called "dog experts" have managed to get away with degrees in other areas that have somehow transform them into dog experts!!!I guess that is where PhD stands for Piled Higher and Deeper. Hope I helped!!
Dog Training - How To Train Your Dog In One Evening
- LOL That is the most "dominate" that I have ever seen Stillwell, too bad she doesn't use that tone with some of the ridiculous dogs she uhhh...trains.....
I have never met or seen the top of the dog training profession. Considering the numbers of training techniques it would be impossible to know everything about all areas of training.
I have never seen Greekman work but he sounds dang good for the protection style of training.(OK Greek don't get all high and mighty) Several others here are very knowledgeable about their areas of expertise, even I have learned a few things in almost 30 years of training.
Any good trainer should know how to get the most out of the dog, plain and simple and we have to be able to establish how to achieve that.
I know of no PhD in strictly dog behavior but I can rest assured that Cesar Millan or Victoria Stillwell won't be getting the first PhD
- Although the university program may be animal behavior, a PhD involves research on a specific species, and dogs are included in that. Believe it or not, dogs are animals! I know the University of North Texas does quite a bit of research on dogs, and there are canine research centers at Duke University, and somewhere in the NorthEast, I think both Cornell and Harvard.
The first ever international conference on canine cognition will be held summer 2011 in Europe, where there is also more research occurring.
- Too funny. Apparently Ms Dominatrix Wannabee Stillwell doesn't believe in dominance and submission.
I judge success and only success... which means the ability and knowledge to use whatever tools are necessary to get the job done with each individual dog. Not all dogs actually WANT whatever reward Ms Stillwell would like to bribe them with.
Extra Question - I don't believe there is a dog specific one that deals specifically with dogs.
- Perfect! She just gets better and better!
Answer: Years of success...thousands of dogs. Years of doing something the wrong way is NOT experience. If Victoria trains (and I use that term very loosely) dogs for the next 10,000 years....she'll still be clueless idiot. The number of methods you know mean nothing if you don't NATURALLY know when and how to use them.
God, it's great to see her flaunt her ignorance.
- Too...funny...-dies-.
I won't even talk bad about her...she made herself look bad enough.
How do I judge a trainer...hmmm good question. The best dog trainer in Schutzhund is Helmut...no doubt, he wins the most, therefore he is the best right? But I don't like him, or his training...so I guess achievements don't mean much to me. What means the most to me is somebody who can get the job done with the least amount of stress and physical force put on the dog.
It's not cool that "so and so got a prong" it's not cool to turn up the juice on the e-collar to 29473...you do it because the situation and the dog dictate that you must. That said I'll give a dog whiplash and sizzle until I smell BACON if I have to but I don't take joy in it. My goal is to get the dog trained, quickly, reliably, and to do so while causing the least amount of stress to the animal is possible. Such should be the goal of training a dog.
- No dog trainer is at the top of the profession, because every single one has a different view of the profession! I judge dog trainers by the results they get. My own trainer is amazing. She gets results from my dog every time I have a problem, and she is very nice and clear with her instructions. I will be attending my first obedience trial with my ten-month-old dog on May 16, and I have great hopes that we will win first place!
However, some pet store trainers are simply not good. I've watched the "graduates" on "graduation day," and most of them can't do a sit-stay long enough to take graduation pictures!
Also, not all dog training has to be based on scientific findings and behavioral patterns. Sometimes, you just correct what is wrong and reward what is right, and that's enough.
My Internet filter blocks YouTube, but I thought I'd take a shot at your question anyway. Thanks for the question!
- I am speechless.
Seriously I don't even know what to say.
~After being thrown into shock & now I'm recovered~
Intelligence does NOT always mean educated. In her case she thinks the best in the world are those who hold a PhD. How about every day real situations, I know more about training my dog than any book worm will ever know, I have hands on experience.
I will ALWAYS train using dominance & I don't give a crap who disagrees or not, at the end of the day, my dogs exhibit the behaviors *I* want & they do it happily, they LOVE to please me.
Obviously every one has different methods & what works for one, may not for another, BUT for her to attack like that, she obviously is insecure in her ways. I have never liked Victoria & I don't give her show the time of day.
If all I ever did was love & praise my dogs & my child, they would all be out of control. Mammals are social creatures & almost all of them follow a leader.
I will agree positive reinforcement works, but 90% of dogs DO need some form of correction at one point or another. I like to have control over my dogs brain. I don't want them listening to me just because I have a treat. If my dogs do what they are told, they get my love & affection, not food. I want them focused on me, not food.
Bottom line I look for someone who shares the same views as I otherwise it will never work, I would be fed up & so would they. I reward good behavior & give corrections for bad. *I* AM the one in control over my dogs, no matter what methods I use.
I think the key for any trainer to be good is to understand the dog/dogs they are dealing with.
- Bottom line: Cesar and Victoria are entertainers first, trainers (however loosely you want to use that term) second. If you've watched their shows you'll see the "dramatic twists"--they're trying to boost ratings, not teach people to train their dogs.
I think the best trainers are patient, and have the ability to adapt. To evaluate what dog needs what training, and try until they find something that works. NOT someone who believes in a "one size fits all" program.
EQ: I really wouldn't know what University would have that avaliable; I'm not going anywhere near a "dog" profession--however, the closest I think you could come would be going to a college that has a general PhD program for animal behavior, and then specializing in canine behavior for your doctorate (as the way I understand it, research and a good thesis is required for most, if not all doctorates--I know it is for my program [speech pathology]).
ADD: "Everyone has their own way of training" <---I have to support the woman arguing with Victoria 100%. I don't know who she is, but in that respect, she's right. And FWIW, "Greatest American Dog" was a total joke of a show.
- Its obvious she follows the lead of other dog behaviorists and dog owners that Cesar Milan is harming dogs and doing no good in his training.
I think both cesar and victoria are good trainers in their own way.
The simple fact that cesar can handle any type of dog that is thrown at him, and does whatever works to fix the dog to me makes him a better trainer.
But its more about behavior than training overall.
A good trainer can recognize body language signals, and doesn't need food to make something work.
Although food speeds up the process food cant fix everything and neither can positive reinforcement methods either.
I would have loved for Victoria to come over when I was having problems with rascal jumping the fence. She would have probably said he needed more exercise and stimulating activities, and that he should only be outside on a lead.
Riiight... because that makes him have a great quality of life in a fenced in yard.
Needless to say we fixed it, with a ecollar which she is 100% against.
I love cesar and I always will, unfortunatly. People see him methods of being cruel, and dominating to be "old" school.
I believe every dog needs a different type of behavior modification, therefore you should be open to all ways of training if you want to be called a dog behaviorist
