One of the issues I discuss quite frequently with dog owners is the problem as it relates with appearances and why this is such a problem in the mainstream dog training world. While the mainstream dog training world spends much on appearances you won't hear much discussion about motives as it relates to this picture of change so many have invested in. It would seem common sense has taken a back seat at times while many have allowed an ideology to take the wheel without any thought as to what is under the hood. The end result is that many well intention-ed trainers and owners have been getting wreaked as a result of a failure to qualify the motives which underpin the picture of change. How people feel about training, devices etc has blinded many to how everything packages up at the social relational level with how a dog's decision making process is governed and influenced. Many trainers know there is a problem with so called pure positive approaches but still can't put their finger on it. Let me help move the discussion forward and identify the problem with one word............. "motives" . The issue of motives and the reasons why dogs respond at the relational level is the key to unlocking what training represents and how to move beyond appearances. It establishes what influence represents and how it sets in motion the type of change which is meaningful for both dog and owner. While it may be difficult for many to step back and begin to ask some serious questions regarding what training really represents it is clear things are not going to get better for many until this begins to happen on a large scale.
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