We often need to use temporary measures while we are training to keep dogs safe and help them become better companions.
What is the difference between management of dog behavior and dog training?
Management and training are often used in combination.
Dog Training
Dog training involves teaching your dog to do something. This can be training basic obedience cues, or something more difficult like dog sports. In dog training your dog is learning to do a behavior.
The following are a few behaviors we can train a dog to do:- Sit, Down, and stay
- Go potty outdoors
- Sit and wait at the front door
- Let the barking dog outside while you are on the phone
- Take treats gently
- Tricks, like roll over, shake and sit up
- Run an agility course
- Sniff for contraband
There is a very long list of new things that dogs can learn.
Dog Management
Dog management means we are controlling the dog's environment to keep the dog safe or keep them from practicing something that is annoying. For example, in order to keep a dog from jumping on people we can put them on a short leash. You're not training a dog to behave a certain way, but rather managing the dog's reaction to greeting people.
The following are a few ways people manage dog behavior:- Putting a dog in his crate when guests arrive
- Using a Head Halter or Front Attach Harness to make walking a dog easier
- Using a blind in class so your dog does not bark and other students can hear
- Avoiding car rides for dogs who are car sick
- Giving dogs a chew toy to distract them from chewing on computer cords
- Fences that keep your dog in the yard
- Putting curtains over the windows so your dog does not bark at passers by
In management the dog is not learning anything. Management keeps the dog from practicing behaviors that are not appropriate or are annoying to the animals or people around them.
Working Together
While management and training are two different things, they are not mutually exclusive. Management is an important tool in preventing unwanted behaviors until your dog is trained to behave differently.
