Leadership and animal training - Laissez Faire

October 26, 7:42 PMClicker Training ExaminerEve Alexander

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Part 5 of the Leadership and Animal Training series

This last style of leadership, really isn't leading at all. Laissez faire is a French term meaning, "let it be". Discouraged by the authoritative type of training so prevalent, some people simply choose not to train.

While this type of non-leadership may work OK with small dogs or gentle horses, it usually causes a lot of problems for the owner. If your dog is aggressive and attacks another dog or a child, and you will find yourself in a financially devastating legal predicament. With horses, you could be seriously injured.

Gentle souls, like Mona, can be the most effective trainers of all using positive reinforcement instead of intimidation.

Silke proves you don't need to dominate horses to train them.

If you are a horse owner, check my list of Natural Horsemanship Trainers on the right hand side of my page. These excellent trainers and clinicians offer home study programs, DVDs, and training equipment, and can also recommend practioners in your area for those who prefer personal one-on-one training. When hiring a horse trainer, avoid anyone who uses the term 'break a horse'. Look for a trainer who says they 'start a horse'.

Dog owners are in luck because clicker training is popular among modern dog trainers. Check your phone book for local trainers, and look for desirable terms such as 'positive reinforcement' and 'operant conditioning', while keeping alert for red flags such as 'alpha' and 'dominance training'.

The beauty of clicker training is that anyone can do it. You don't need to change your personality. Mona Ramouni is an extraordinary, blind clicker trainer. Silke Valentin has overcome the challenges of being wheelchair-bound to become the world's most inspirational horse trainer!

Hopefully this series of articles on leadership in animal training has given you insight into the different leadership attitudes and methods used by trainers.

More articles:

• Inspiration from natural horsewoman, Silke Valentin
• Interview: Mona Ramouni about clicker training her guide horse Cali
• Interview: Andrea Bratt Frick about clicker training rabbits
• Interview: Dolores Arste about clicker training a guide horse
• Interview: Barbara Heidenreich about clicker training parrots

The copyright of this article is owned by Eve Alexander. Permission to republish in print or online must be granted by Eve Alexander in writing.

 Photo credits: Mona Ramouni, Silke Valentin