Jennifer Arnold: Canine Assistants founder pens book, takes dominance training to task

By Katie Leslie

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

There can be no doubt Jennifer Arnold knows her stuff when it comes to training dogs. As the founder and CEO of Canine Assistants, Inc. in Milton, Arnold and her staff have taught thousands of pups to become service, companion and seizure response dogs for the handicapped.

Now Arnold, whose nonprofit organization was featured in a PBS documentary, has penned a book about her teaching philosophy and experience. "Through a Dog's Eyes" (Spiegel & Grau, Random House, $25) details how Arnold rose from her teenage battle with multiple sclerosis to found Canine Assistants in 1991. Along the way in her much-anticipated book, she debunks popular dominance-based training methodologies, details her observations about the bond between man and animal and shares her method of "choice training." Arnold's teaching is heavily based in positive reinforcement, a concept that rewards the dogs for good behaviors and gives the dog freedom to make the right decisions.

Q: You've been training dogs to be service, companion and seizure response animals for decades. Why this book, and why now?

A: I can't watch it anymore. ... I think there have been trainers that have become very popular in our culture and the popularity of [dominance training] style, the concept of being “alpha,” has set the human dog relationship back many, many years. It just saddens me deeply, because if you just look and try to at least understand the dog’s perspective on things, it all makes so much more sense. It’s not just about positive reinforcement; it’s how can I help my dog make the right decisions, because they are capable of more than just rote learning.

We have so much scientific knowledge now that shows us dominance is unnecessary and it doesn’t work in the long run. It may give you instant gratification, but in terms of giving you a real relationship with the dog, it doesn’t. I’ve lost my patience with it. And I want people to see that if you can train the mostly highly trained dogs in the world, there is never a reason you have to hurt them or frighten them.

Q: You are outspoken in your book against the use of dominance training, a method of forcing animals into submission so that the human is "alpha." You also address that the method is based on a flawed understanding of how wolves interact in the wild. Can you explain?

A: Dogs have evolved from wolves. They are no longer the same animal. But if you’re going to use wolves, use what is happening with wolves in the appropriate setting, where the alphas are the wolves that get to do what they want. I’m sure our dogs understand that we are alpha. Wolves researchers laugh that [dominance trainers] say we have to go out the door first or eat first. The alpha can go out whenever she chooses. It’s ridiculous. It worries me that we got so excited about this idea of mentally and physically dominating another creature. It goes beyond how we relate to our dogs and it goes into how we relate to children and another. And it’s just wrong.

Q: So you believe that dominance-based training is deeply flawed. Is it not just another style to be respected?

A: There is a big feeling that [dominance versus positive] are different approaches and that each approach is valid in its own way. It’s not a difference in style. It’s a moral difference between right and wrong. Within the idea of positive reinforcement, there are a number of methodologies that are appropriate.

Q: What do you want people to take away from this book?

A: Dogs care so much. That’s what I want people to understand. I want people to get beyond the idea of training the dog to do tricks. That’s not what is important. What’s important is that you establish communication that allows you to keep the dog safe, because you really are in a parenting role. That’s how it works with wolves in the wild.

Book signings

Jennifer Arnold talks about her book and signs copies of "Through a Dog's Eyes."

2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Borders. 3637 Peachtree Rd., N.E., Atlanta. 404-237-0707, www.borders.com

7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24. Georgia Center for the Book at the Dekalb County Public Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-8450 ext. 2225, www.georgiacenterforthebook.org