Does AI Have a Place in Dog Training?

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. It powers online searches and apps like ChatGPT, along with generative software in Photoshop. It’s creating new technologies in the health and medical fields. There are now even AI musical artists and AI actors. Where will it all end? And is there a place for AI in the dog training world?

Although I appreciate the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in research and in the fields of health, medicine, and science, I have major apprehensions about AI in general. First, there’s the environmental impact. It’s been estimated that by 2028, AI could consume enough energy to power 28 million households, and use 720 billion gallons of water for cooling. On a planet where we’re already heading toward environmental disaster, that should ring some giant alarm bells. Beyond that, as a writer and artist, the fact that in many cases AI scrapes the internet for source material without regard to copyright is a big concern. There are others. But let’s talk about how AI may be used in dog training.

The particulars are still unknown at this point. It may be that AI will simply compile information from across the internet and use that data to train the algorithm. But which data will be used? Consider the glut of information online. Fortunately, there are plenty of protocols available for training dogs in gentle, positive ways, as well as scientifically-based information about canine behavior. But there is also still a library’s-worth of old-school, dominance-based misinformation circulating that could result in harm to dogs. There are no real regulations in the world of dog training as it is; who will draw the line where AI ethics are concerned? And how can we expect dog owners to discern what’s best?

It may be that rather than aggregating information from various websites, the work of real-life, actual dog behavior experts would be used. How would that work? Would a team be hired to give input and, if so, what would their credentials be? Or, alternatively, would protocols and training methods that have been developed by qualified trainers and behavior specialists with many years of experience be used, possibly without their permission or knowledge?

Then there’s this: dog training is an art. What works for one dog may not work for another. Where in all of this is the ability to monitor a dog’s body language and pivot on the fly if minute stress signals are detected, or if something just isn’t working? What if a dog seems to be in pain, a situation where an in-person trainer would notice it, stop the lesson, and recommend a vet exam? Where is the creativity needed to craft a solution to an intricate behavior problem based on the individual dog and owners’ lifestyle or needs, the support and compassion for the owner during a lengthy behavior protocol, or the immediate help if something goes wrong? Where is that indefinable, intuitive quality that trainers develop over many years of experience? All of this is even more concerning when it comes to dealing with aggression issues. There have been countless times I’ve had to come up with creative solutions for a dog’s out-of-the-norm behavior issues, or hand-hold a client as they worked their way through the emotional minefield of an issue that could literally mean life or death for their dog. Where is AI in all of that?

And what about AI being used for educating dog trainers? Sure, aspiring trainers would need to spend less time reading books on how to train dogs, watching long videos, or even attending conferences. But is that an actual advantage? Whatever happened to getting a well-rounded education by putting in the time reading, observing, interning with established trainers, interacting with and learning from experts at conferences and seminars, and doing plenty of hands-on practice? Yes, new trainers could certainly open a business more quickly, but will the quality be there?

Let’s not forget that AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. While it will almost certainly help with certain information-gathering and time-saving aspects, when it comes to dog training with real, experienced, compassionate, intuitive, and creative dog trainers, and enhancing the dog-owner bond, AI will never beat the real thing.

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