Quote:
Originally Posted by RottsNScotts  Let me start by saying that I do believe that into every dog's life, a little compulsion must fall! At the same time, I generally do not use corrections/compulsion for most work until I am satisfied that the dog understands what it is that I am asking of him and has chosen not to do it.
When working a new or young dog that is trying really hard and may be offering me the wrong behavior in an attempt to figure out the right one, I just ignore the wrong ones and reward the right ones. If they are truly not getting it, I will help them by leading them into the behavior or action to reinforce it then start making it their responsibility to get it. |
i agree with this 100 % i feel there are basically(and to simplyfie) 3 steps to training
step1: teaching where your dog learns commands and tasks through motivational/repetitition/rewards basically using whatever is fun for you and the dog
step2:compulsion/corrections after the dog is fully comfortable andhas learned the behaviours but either choses not to do them or is slow in doing them.
step 3 : proofing performing commands under any type of distractions this phase shows you your failures as a handler in the previous training and shows that either your dog truly didnt know the meaning of the command or it was not reinforced that it absolutly had to comply
can you train a dog all with step 1??? yes but during the proofing phase the dog may fail his distraction may be more important to him than any of your commands
can you train a dog all with step 2??? yes and the dog may even proof well ive seen many czech imports with a title come to the country this way they are robotic and are not what we desire
a dog that is taught correctly then corrected properly and proofed is a safe happy companion for life..
i believe that for the trainers that are writing articles and books about purely motivational training should change the name to purely motivational teaching. because to call a dog trained he must be proofed and i have yet to find a motivational reward that i could give a dog that actually would be better then him chasing a squirrel
