Animals

Animal Planet Star, Shelter Dogs Promote Positive Training

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Shelter dogs on Monday helped Animal Planet star Victoria Stilwell promote positive reinforcement and canine confidence-building as the best dog training methods.

“Throw away the idea that you have to dominate your animal, that you’ve have to be ‘top dog,’” said Stilwell, who was at the County Animal Services shelter in San Diego on Monday to certify a group of private trainers. “Those ideas are outdated and flawed.”

Stilwell is best known for starring in Animal Planet’s hit television series, “It’s Me or the Dog.” She also certifies trainers to work under her imprimatur, “Victoria Stilwell, Positively,” and use positive reinforcement to develop well-behaved, happy dogs.

County Animals Services staff and volunteers also embrace positive reinforcement training and use it with shelter dogs. So Animal Services was happy to host Stilwell, who came to town for the weekend Pet Expo at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and was looking for a place — and some dogs — to evaluate her trainers-in-training.

On Monday, before Stilwell’s class started, staff and volunteers gave Stilwell a tour of the Gaines Street facility and introduced her to dogs that were eager to please.

“It’s amazing,” Stilwell said of the modern and spacious shelter.

“I come here and I’m green with envy,” she added, noting that the Atlanta area shelter she frequents is more downscale.

After peering in kennels, Stilwell chose some 10 dogs to help her with the day’s training, including two “fearful dogs” for an afternoon session.

She said shelter dogs make good training subjects, because they’re a bit more challenging than a family pet in a home setting.

Animal Services spokesman Lt. Dan DeSousa said all shelter dogs are managed with positive reinforcement, rather than fear or dominance. For new dogs, staff uses a clicker and food rewards to train them to respond to the clicker. As their training goes on, the positive reinforcement may become petting and praise, rather than food, DeSousa said.

These techniques help make sure the dogs are well-adjusted, loving pets when they get adopted into new homes, DeSousa said.

“You see dogs that flinch in fear when their owners raise their hands,” said DeSousa. “Those are not happy dogs.”