Please consider if this is the best training method for your dog prior to booking with Lorenzo Dog…read moreTraining.
I have a newly adopted 2 year old Great Dane, and we had a consult with a trainer at Lorenzo Dog Training in San Diego that left me very dissatisfied and concerned about the training tactics that were being taught and used on my dog, including aggressive jerking and whipping force by way of her head and neck with a leash and choke collar.
My dog is highly sensitive due to her abuse and neglectful past. The physically forceful interventions sent my dog into a fight or flight response, exhibiting signs of flight then freezing by way of trying to flee, yelping, rigid body tone with excessive shaking, hyper-vigilance, and flinching, all of which worsened as the trainer continued to aggressively yank her despite my dogs clear fearful state. The next day, my dog did not eat, remained hyper-vigilant, and skittish from the slightest noises or movement, which is exactly how she behaved when we first adopted her but had previously disappeared prior to our training consult with Lorenzo Dog training.
As a previous nurse and current doctor, considering a strictly biological and physiological perspective, the fear modality, especially for already anxious and fearful pups, is ineffective simply by the physiological process of the brain. Like with any human, dog, or animal, a fight or flight response stemming from the amygdala floods the brain and body with neurotransmitters restricting their ability to access executive functioning regions of their frontal and temporal lobes necessary for learning and critical thinking. Although aggressive physical methods may work for some dogs with a higher threshold for fear and anxiety, allowing them to think and process learning effectively, the style is unfit for all. I put my trust in the licensed dog trainer to have the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to recognize my dog's emotional state to then modify her own training tactics instead of continuing to apply more force to her head and neck while my dog continued to exhibit signs of a heightened sympathetic nervous system response.
The trainer described the behavioral modification interventions used as teaching my dog to respect me. However, it was clear there was no respect gained and only fear. I want my dog to respect and trust me, I do not want her to fear me. Although using fear and force is quick and effective, it is not the only option to gain your pup's respect and obedience. I understand that some people may prefer that form of training and relationship with their dog; however, I believe in using the least restrictive measures to facilitate behavioral modification and prospering a positive and mutually respectful environment. My dog has been progressing well with other trainers using positive reinforcement, consistency with boundary management, and other severely less forceful physical prompts. I understand that these tactics may take longer to achieve the desired behavioral goals; however, like with any behavioral modification, it takes time and patience, which I plan to give her.
Again, I highly recommend looking into the tactics used at Lorenzo Dog Training before determining if these interventions align with you and your doggies goals.
