Dog Training And Virtue Signaling

There are a lot of social media posts from various dog trainers whose purpose is solely to market their services and cover their flaws using virtue signaling gimmicks.

The most disappointing are those specific niche trainers who make unsubstantiated claims about their dog training philosophy and scorning those who don’t subscribe using the claim that only they know the true “science” and are the "real" dog trainers. 

For example, a well-known trainer once posted online that they investigated what their critics had to say but rejected it. Not based upon a factual and demonstrable comparison of what they did vs. these other ideas, just a philosophical rejection… and then a solicitation to the audience to buy more of their content. Even worse, their description, and the terminology they used, explaining what they found was completely faulty or dishonest. It was then it became clear that this was all about marketing, not a way forward towards the best ways to train a dog.

In other words, I believe many are endangering dogs and owners who have problems controlling their dogs in the real world. These faulty programs are doomed and so are the dogs subjected to them.

Years ago, I recognized that if I was going to become any good, I’d have to humble myself. I would have to be open to instruction and correction, whether from a science textbook or from a live expert. It is awfully easy to get defensive, close your eyes and ears, and cling to your novice ideas. It is not so fun to find out what you thought you knew was all wrong. 

What if you have the opportunity to learn from an expert? What you do at that moment can change the course of your life, if you let it. I believe those once in a lifetime opportunities come along. A door will be opened that could take you to higher heights. Don’t waste it. That offer won’t be forthcoming again. Buy that dusty old book. Talk to that expert. The top people typically aren't big talkers and won't engage in petty disputes with those who should instead be sitting quietly and taking notes rather than arguing and defending the indefensible. You should approach experts with respect; they aren’t going to be looking for you to sell you something and they aren’t going to debate you. Darwin, Pavlov, Skinner and others aren't looking for your opinion. Neither are the few living experts residing at the far corners of the world at any one time.

Think of the proverbial Kung Fu master. You go humbly to their castle at the top of the mountain, knock on the door, and maybe, just maybe they will let you come inside. Or turn you away to test if you have the character to be trusted with their elite expertise. Don’t dump on that kind of person, you won’t get a second chance.

Virtue signaling in the dog training world is the presentation of a false front of social consciousness, moral superiority, marketing finesse, and supposed skills to cover substandard and unscientific opinions and a lack of knowledge, skills and operational results.

Find the masters. Come inside if invited. Take off your shoes. Shut up.

Plan accordingly.