In many aspects of our lives, technology is playing an increasingly visible role. From the omnipresent smartphone in your hand to the ability to order groceries and other items straight to your front door, these technological shifts have had a huge impact on our habits and way of life. For better or worse – particularly as we enter a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly prevalent – it seems that technology is here to stay.
It may surprise you to learn that the technological revolution has also made its way into the dog training industry. In fact, given that the rise of the Internet transformed the way we share information, accessing valuable resources about dog training through websites, YouTube channels and podcasts has never been easier. The downside? Accessing incorrect or misleading information about dog training is just as easy (and, depending on how the social media algorithm is working on a given day, almost unavoidable).
Yet the way that technology is changing the dog training industry is not limited to information sharing. In fact, there are multiple ways that dog training has changed over the past few decades, owing much in part to improving technology. In this article, we’ll look at some of these technological changes – and consider how this impacts you as a dog trainer.
The rise of virtual dog training
Since the moment that humans started to domesticate dogs, dog training has been an almost exclusively in-person pursuit. This was because of two primary reasons. The first reason is that, up until very recently, the technology simply didn’t exist to provide an alternative to in-person dog training. Secondly, even when the Internet started to become more accessible and video conferencing tools were increasing in popularity, there was a degree of skepticism as to the outcomes that could be achieved with virtual dog training. After all, how do you train a dog if you’re not in the room with the dog or the owner? A large section of the market believed it simply wasn’t possible.
As with lots of industries, the Covid pandemic accelerated a lot of changes in the dog training world. Lockdowns and restrictions introduced as a result of the pandemic meant that in-person lessons had to be put on pause. Necessity is often cited as the mother of invention, and many dog trainers decided to follow the footsteps of many other industries by offering virtual lessons – this meant that they could continue to work with clients by offering guidance and coaching. The alternative was an indefinite period with no clients at all.
Now, several years removed from the height of the pandemic, many dog trainers who started offering virtual training during that period are continuing to offer the service. Some have stopped and returned to in-person lessons only. There are some aspects of dog training that can be accommodated on a Zoom call more easily than others – it is practical to help teach basic obedience commands to a new puppy on a video call by coaching the owner, but perhaps less so when dealing with a delicate, complex behavioral case that may benefit from an in-person session. Ultimately, the success (or otherwise) of any dog trainer lies in the results they achieve with their clients – this rings true regardless of whether the training is offered in-person or virtually.
Smart devices and wearables
The use of wearables is no longer exclusive to humans. There are several companies who have developed a range of products in recent years that can be used on dogs to keep them safe, monitor their health, or assess their behavior. Examples of these products include GPS trackers, health monitors, and bark collars.
Dog owners and dog trainers can use these tools in a number of different ways. A collar with a GPS tracker can help to keep your dog safe on an off-leash walk, or be an excellent tool when used in search and rescue training. Health monitors can be used to monitor a dog’s heart rate and overall fitness. As with humans, the information that these devices provide can offer insights into your dog’s behavior and be harnessed to improve their overall quality of life.
Advances in training tools and equipment
While the essentials in a dog trainer’s arsenal will always be items like leashes, flat collars and clickers, technology has also aided advances in training tools and equipment. For example, high-quality E-collars are now designed with incremental micro-levels. Automated treat dispensers can be used to alleviate boredom and offer mental stimulation. Even devices like Dogtra’s Ball Trainer Pro can help when training dogs in detection disciplines.
The increasing array of tools available to dog trainers offers the opportunity for improved communication and training outcomes with a client’s dog – when used responsibly. As with any new product or technology, dog trainers should learn how to correctly use these tools and understand the consequences they can have on a dog’s behavior.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in dog training
Artificial intelligence is a hot button topic – and whether you like it or you don’t, it’s unlikely to go away any time soon.
As with many uses of AI, its promise has yet to be truly tested in a variety of real-world situations. Is it possible for dog owners to use ChatGPT to produce a training plan? Are there apps that outline how to teach your dog certain behaviors? The answer to both questions is undoubtedly yes. However, the bigger question is – will that ChatGPT training plan actually be effective? Is a one-size-fits-all app going to work for a dog with a difficult learning history? Will these solutions take into account any nuances of the dog’s behavior or body language that can only be identified by an expert with experience? What about any unintended consequences arising from the plan? How will AI guide the handler in terms of timing and overall coaching? What about when safety is involved in severe cases of aggression?
All of these questions show that the use of AI is a delicate matter, especially as dogs are living things who are beloved by their owners – they are not test cases to be experimented upon. As a trainer, being able to answer these questions and help your clients is where you will truly add value. This is why data shows that gaining an understanding of how dogs learn and completing a program of formal dog training education enables these dog trainers to earn more than their counterparts who do not have any qualifications.
Dog training education
As mentioned previously, the rise of the Internet has made more information available than ever before. This is a good thing and a bad thing – on one hand, knowledge is power, but on the other, incorrect information often travels faster than the truth can correct it.
Dog trainers have to be a part of this conversation, guiding clients and social media followers towards accurate information. This is vital for a number of reasons. Most importantly, using proven teaching methods and concepts improves behavioral outcomes for dog owners as a whole. This reduces the potential burden of dangerous or poorly behaved dogs on local communities. Alongside that, studying and learning will make you a better and more effective dog trainer. Finally, by communicating this information to your audience, you will position yourself as an expert – enhancing your reputation and improving your career prospects in this fiercely demanding field.
At the School for Dog Trainers, we believe that technology should complement – and not replace – the fundamental knowledge a dog trainer should possess. Our programs are a mixture of learning theory combined with hands-on education, providing our students with the most comprehensive curriculum for teaching a wide array of dogs, from pet dogs to service dogs, and many different working dog disciplines including detection and protection.
What does the future hold?
Nobody could have predicted the impact that a global pandemic would have on the dog training industry – and few would be able to predict with certainty what lies ahead in the coming years and decades.
For dog trainers, it is about adapting and utilizing the technology available when and where it makes sense. Gaining an understanding of these technological developments – even if you choose not to implement some of them – will help you to become a well-rounded and successful dog trainer.