There are many different dog training methods when it comes to training dogs and everyone has a different idea for the best techniques to use. Study finds that some dog training methods cause stress to the animals as well. So it depends upon your pet and how you tackle the entire dog training schedule.
What is less well-studied is what dog trainers call proofing, that is, getting a dog to a point where they obey even under distractions, etc. That is where decent trainers introduce corrections. Realize that not all dogs need corrections at this point. The pro trainers at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc working with dogs that have been bred since the 50-60’s exclusively to be guide dogs have almost eliminated corrections from their training program - they are that good at training and the dogs are that wired to prefer the rewards over any alternatives that it works that way.
However, most of us have not had a 4-year apprenticeship to become a professional trainer and most of us are not working with just two breeds of dog and lines bred specifically for a specific sort of work ethic for longer than we’ve been alive. For us, there will come a moment when the dog looks at us and thinks about whether they want the proffered cookie for a recall or the teasing squirrel more. If the choice remains cookie vs. squirrel, we’ve lost them. If, however, in that moment or in a hundred moments like it the choice for squirrel results in something bad and they don’t get the squirrel anyway, then they will make the choice of the recall and the cookie.
What is most important when training is…
(1) Think about what your goals are.
(2) Think about the dog you are training - and watch them during training for signs of stress! Some dogs respond well to boundaries and some wilt.
(3) Think about what you are capable of doing consistently - I use a verbal marker, for example, since I am not coordinated enough to juggle a clicker and a leash and treats and a lure at the same time.
The reason we have many physical tools, philosophies, and methods of training is because each of them works and has worked for some dog/trainer/goal combination. It is not a universal “X” always works and “Y” never does - it is a questions of when and why and for what does each work, and what combination is closest to your situation?
What is less well-studied is what dog trainers call proofing, that is, getting a dog to a point where they obey even under distractions, etc. That is where decent trainers introduce corrections. Realize that not all dogs need corrections at this point. The pro trainers at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc working with dogs that have been bred since the 50-60’s exclusively to be guide dogs have almost eliminated corrections from their training program - they are that good at training and the dogs are that wired to prefer the rewards over any alternatives that it works that way.
However, most of us have not had a 4-year apprenticeship to become a professional trainer and most of us are not working with just two breeds of dog and lines bred specifically for a specific sort of work ethic for longer than we’ve been alive. For us, there will come a moment when the dog looks at us and thinks about whether they want the proffered cookie for a recall or the teasing squirrel more. If the choice remains cookie vs. squirrel, we’ve lost them. If, however, in that moment or in a hundred moments like it the choice for squirrel results in something bad and they don’t get the squirrel anyway, then they will make the choice of the recall and the cookie.
What is most important when training is…
(1) Think about what your goals are.
(2) Think about the dog you are training - and watch them during training for signs of stress! Some dogs respond well to boundaries and some wilt.
(3) Think about what you are capable of doing consistently - I use a verbal marker, for example, since I am not coordinated enough to juggle a clicker and a leash and treats and a lure at the same time.
The reason we have many physical tools, philosophies, and methods of training is because each of them works and has worked for some dog/trainer/goal combination. It is not a universal “X” always works and “Y” never does - it is a questions of when and why and for what does each work, and what combination is closest to your situation?
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