This position statement is based on the understanding that:
- As our dog’s guardian we have a moral responsibility to meet their physical and emotional needs1.
- We can train our dogs to a very high level of compliance using a variety of reward-based training methods, but we cannot dictate their emotional responses to situations. Most serious behavioral problems are not due to training or a lack thereof, but are the result of emotions like fear and anger.
- Expecting 100% compliance to obedience cues without also managing the dog’s environment is not a reasonable expectation for most dogs.
- Dogs, like humans, are social species and usually enjoy the company of others. However both species consist of a broad spectrum of temperament types and must be viewed as individuals. Not all individuals within the population will enjoy social interactions. As much as we may want a dog to “like” a specific person or pet, we cannot make them do so. (more…)
