[Barbara Sobotka]

Me and Adrian Rykaczewski have been working together for a long time, based on the same principles. I took part in the creation of Adrian’s Code of conduct, so first I thought I’ll just sort out our points, because I still agree with all of them and I would add nothing. But I decided to think about all the rules in a different way and search not for rules, but their foundation – values that guide us. I found only 4, not 10 or more, but I think they are essential and include all the points we wrote down a few months ago.

1. Improvement

Not only dogs learn during training and not only in working directly with dogs we can improve as trainers. We, our clients, other trainers, even our teachers – we are all students whose only difference is the stage of learning. We still have a lot to learn and a lot of opportunities to do so, so have an open mind and still search for new, better ways, according to LIMA.

2. Respect

This point includes the respect for the law, for science, for truth, for the bond between dog and the owner, for canine nature and for human nature – we work with both species in fact. We should act in the right way to show respect and be respected. We should be aware of our own and others’ (people and dogs) needs, weaknesses and strengths, and the time needed to accomplish every single step. In order to safely, effectively and ethically solve any problem or help owner train a dog, we must respect all actual possibilities and limitations (for example not try to speed up the training process, use training hacks or slip over some steps, but in the same time try to solve a problem as soon as possible) and prepare a good training plan, without side effects. By ignoring some factors, we will not get the job done well. Our goal is to create not only good plans, but also doable ones, and for me, that also involves respect.

3. Courage

Courage means speaking the truth, even if it is inconvenient for us or others. We have to act responsible even if that means to refuse or break the work with the dog or redirect clients to other trainers. Courage is often necessary to change point of view, face the consequences of mistakes and start to search for new answers.

4. Love

If you don’t love this profession and the things that come with it, all the points above just won’t work.

Now IACP and APDT codes of ethics:

Both codes are based on the need to define clear rules – in IACP it is done chaotically in the form, so these rules aren’t so clearly shown as they should be, and in APDT the form imposes a certain order, which I like.

In my opinion, in a lot of cases the trainer is an advocate for the dog and must represent its interests, of course respecting the needs of his client and the relationship between the client and his dog. Training should make their living together better. However, both of these codes say nothing about this issue, focusing only on the relationship between the “human” sides of the work in this profession.

In both codes there is no guarantee of results, but also neither of them contains information about the expected results, the training plan and steps, approximate time needed, the most likely consequences of the actions taken, and possible alternatives.

In IACP my attention was particularly drawn to the point: “IACP members may not seek to deprive any canine professional of his or her ability to conduct his or her business by seeking to restrict or ban accepted and established tools of the trade, or by seeking to restrict or ban accepted and established techniques and practices within the industry through calls for boycotts, restrictions, bans, or other actions designed to interfere with free marketplace participation of a canine professional in his or her business. Accepted and established tools of the trade include, but are not limited to, leashes, harnesses, training collars, slip collars, prong collars, head halters, remote electronic collars, and electronic pet containment systems. Accepted and established techniques and practices include, but are not limited to, those techniques and practices described in published books, videos, and professional seminars. A personal preference shall be allowed in the individual member’s choice of methods, equipment and techniques within their own practice.” The first part is good, but in the second part there should be principles or rules for ethical using tools, according to LIMA. But in IACP code, everyone can use any “techniques and practices described in published books, videos, and professional seminars” without verifying the ethics of these techniques and practices and even without verifying the competences of authors of these “books, videos, and professional seminars”. So it seems that everyone can do anything with dogs, using any tool in any way they want.

I was looking for a good code of ethics in Polish organizations to compare and I ended up with “Psychologist’s code of ethics” in Polish Psychological Association. I think it is really well written and quite accurately reflects the issues related to the profession of a dog trainer. For those interested: Kodeks etyczny psychologa – Polskie Towarzystwo Psychologiczne (PTP)

psych.org.pl

Kodeks etyczny psychologa

Kodeks etyczny psychologa

[Barbara Sobotka]

I like the tips for making instructions, especially “short” and “easy” as for a 10-year-old. The focus on constructive criticism from others to determine if something needs to be improved is great too. This is an excellent criterion to verify the affordability of these instructions, and at the same time a way to improve them.

I really like you break down the process of teaching a dog into such small steps. After reviewing your file, I will redo the descriptions I currently use and improve them.

In “Using Positive Marker” part there is “To install and practice good timing in our reward system.” The purpose of this exercise, in my opinion, is to teach the dog that when praise occurs is up to his decision. By doing so, the dog begins to associate the praise (and treat) with the behavior just presented and begins to strive to repeat the situation, for example dog sits to hear “good boy” and get the snack. Good timing is a new ability needed at this lesson. I would rather put timing in the next column, unless I misunderstand its meaning.

I’m very interested to see what your descriptions of the next steps will look like. It is clear that you have put a lot of work into it and that you are very scrupulous about every detail of the training, which I like very much.