I’ll be blunt: this is a ridiculous book.
A Different Perspective on Dog Training
As a parent of an autistic child who recently acquired a German Shepherd puppy for autism assistance, I was desperate to find effective training methods. German Shepherds, while loyal and loving, are not the ideal breed for this role due to their suspicious nature and inclination to lunge at perceived threats. My goal was to teach our pup to navigate public spaces with ease while remaining calm in the presence of strangers and other dogs. Little did I know that my journey would introduce me to a diverse and eccentric group of dog trainers.
The Quest for Consistency and Understanding
In my pursuit of the perfect training approach, I explored every local trainer and dog training course available. One thing became clear: consistency is key. Just like with growing children, dogs require patience, kindness, and a consistent approach to learning. With time and dedication, you can transform your dog into a well-behaved companion.
Eccentric Dog Trainers and Neurodiversity
However, I soon discovered that most dog trainers have a peculiar disposition. As someone with ADHD and two children on the autism spectrum, I have become adept at recognizing undiagnosed neurodiversity. These trainers often exhibit similar traits. They hyperfixate on theories and present reductionist approaches to dog training as the ultimate solution. From “games are the answer” to “being the Alpha is the answer,” they offer an array of methods that promise perfection. Kevin Behan’s theories, however, take the cake.
Psychoanalyzing Dogs: The Kevin Behan Approach
Behan’s theory suggests that all dogs simply understand “emotion” and nothing more. According to him, dogs are intuitive creatures, capable of reading the emotional climate of a room. While this notion holds some truth, Behan takes it to extremes by attempting to psychoanalyze every aspect of dog behavior and placing the blame squarely on dog owners. In his eyes, your dog’s behavior reflects your own emotional state. Fix yourself, and your dog will miraculously improve.
The Dark Side of Behan’s Approach
As I delved deeper into Behan’s book, I realized that it was less about dog training and more about his personal life story. He fails to acknowledge his own unresolved issues and instead rejects standard understandings of biology and psychology, veering into pseudo-science territory. His attempts at playing the role of a therapist only serve to undermine his credibility. Moreover, there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of his theory, as clients mentioned in the book mysteriously “stopped coming.” It’s no surprise they recognized the author’s detachment from reality.
Dogs Are Individuals Too
Even if we were to accept Behan’s theory, it fails to provide practical solutions for dealing with dogs exhibiting problem behaviors. The book appears to be an exercise in victim-blaming, with Behan implying that your dog’s behavior is solely a reflection of your past traumas. However, anyone who has owned multiple dogs can attest that each dog has its own personality and unique behavior. If your fears and issues were truly the root cause of your dog’s aggression, all your dogs would exhibit similar behavior. But they don’t. The individual personality of a dog and the breed’s general disposition play significant roles in their behavior. It’s not always about you.
The Power of Love and Acceptance
In the end, our journey with our German Shepherd puppy has taught us that consistent love, acceptance, and small steps are the keys to building confidence and happiness in our furry companion. We may not achieve perfection in training, but we recognize and appreciate our dog’s individuality. Blame, accusations, and therapy are unnecessary. What truly brings out the best in your dog is love and respect.
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Note: The images used in this article are from the original source.