Don't Label Me!
Something I see a lot of in the dog training world is labels, specifically those applied to our dogs. I myself use labels regularly - 'reactive dog,' anyone?
I understand the appeal behind a label; it's a convenient and straightforward way for us to explain often complex behavior. However, these labels can be doing our dogs more harm than good, and we need to tread lightly when using them.
Labelling is when we "define or describe an individual in terms of their behavior." Some common labels given to dogs are: aggressive, stubborn, lazy, anxious, reactive.
"My dog is aggressive/mean."
"My dog is stubborn/difficult."
"My dog is anxious."
"My dog is reactive."
The dilemma with labelling behavior is that we use the label as if these behaviors are who the dog IS. In our eyes the dog can start to become that behavior.
"My dog IS aggressive."
"My dog IS stubborn."
"My dog IS reactive."
This sends the message that these behaviors are permanent traits of the dog; part of his interior makeup. Over time, this can then shape how we (and others) view that dog, which can impact how we regard his actions, and ultimately how we treat him.
When we've already labelled the dog as 'stubborn,' we might not take the time to question "Does he actually know what I'm asking of him? Is my training approach/plan appropriate, or do I need to make adjustments on my end?" The error is assumed to be the dogs, who we've automatically decided is hell bent on doing anything but what we want him to.
How do we fix this problem? How do we use labels properly, or, can we?
Instead of labeling our dogs, we should instead label the behavior(s) that we are observing.
I find it's easiest to do this, by asking myself "what does that look like?"
Your dog is stubborn. OK, what does 'stubborn' look like? Describe the behaviors that you are seeing at that time that has lead you to this conclusion.
Let's go back briefly to the fundamentals of behavior analysis; our ABC's.
A: Antecedent - what happens directly before the behavior; what prompts the behavior.
B: Behavior- what is the dog doing? What does this look like? This needs to be objective; what you can observe, not how you are interpreting the dog's actions.
C: Consequence - what happens after the behavior occurs. What does the behavior yield/result in?
When we say "my dog is reactive!" this leaves a lot of un-answered questions: what does that look like? Reactive to what? When?
The more accurate thing to say would be:
"When a novel dog is within 20 feet of my dog (A), my dog lunges, snarls and barks rapidly (B), until the dog passes/is out of sight (C)."
It's a mouthful, isn't it?
For simplicities sake (and for the sake of time, because, yikes!) let's stick with labeling the behavior itself instead of the animal:
Instead of "my dog is reactive" we can say "my dog is reacting to the other dog."
Remember, reactivity is not who your dog is. There's so much more to their picture.
Reactivity is simply a suite of behaviors that occur in a precise situation to accomplish a specific goal.
This is not a permanent trait; it's behavior, which can be modified or replaced using humane, scientific training methods.
So the next time you want to slap a quick label on your dog, stop, and think about what that label is doing for your dog (is it helping or hindering?) Instead, stick that label on the behavior occurring at that moment.
Happy Clicking,
Vanessa
Vanessa Charbonneau, is the author of Dog Care for Puppies: A guide to Feeding, Playing, Grooming and Behavior. She owns Sit Pretty Pet Services, employing force-free training techniques to work with companion dogs and their owners. Charbonneau lives in Prince George, BC with her husband, two daughters, and one dog.