Holistic Dog TrainingThere are several products in the market that may help to reduce behavior problems on dogs. Most of the products are herbal and/or natural remedies and homeopathic remedies. These products are an alternative to conventional medicine.
Holistic techniques used in behavior modification create a balance and integration between the dog’s physical, mental, emotional and environmental aspects. These techniques sometimes are used to solve cases of aggression, separation anxiety, hyperactivity, depression and compulsive behavior.
Natural remedies alone can't help reduce dog anxieties or aggression. Other kinds of behavior modification and training plans are required. Holistic training is just one more method that any well-rounded trainer can use when training a dog.
Gentle Response Training MethodThis method combines hand signals, voice commands, holistic remedies and human-dog interaction. This approach engages the owners in the actual training process and is highly effective with immediate results. The GRT method could easily be incorporated in basic commands as well as modification of any kind on behavioral issues.
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GRT method operates from the premise that dogs are easily trained, provided their owners understand how dogs view and respond to their surroundings. Owners also learn that dogs mirror their owners’ personalities, including aggressive or anxious behavior.
The GRT process involves a comprehensive analysis of dog’s environment and background as well as a temperament testing and human interaction with the pet.
During the analysis process, the trainer will outline the custom training program as each case, like each dog, is different.
Dog training with clickers and treatsFollowing the concept of positive reinforcement, trainers use treats and clickers in the sense that every time the dog does something right, he or she gets a treat or listens to a clicker. In other words, the dog is conditioned to respond only when there is a physical reward.
While this technique can produce basic obedience training and agility results, there are several problems which dog owners encounter when they use clickers and/or treats:
1. The dog does not listen to the owner without that “conditioning reward”.
2. Dogs driven by food may present weight problems with time.
3. The clicker training method is time consuming and confusing. If the owner does not practice on a daily basis it could take several months to get results.
4. These techniques (clicker training and/or training with treats) are not effective for behavioral issues such as dog aggression, separation anxiety, barking, dog hyperactivity and other behavior disorders.
