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Originally Posted by Calin  I think with ANY correction, you run the risk of the dog associating you with 'bad things.' I think a lot of people here will put down a spray bottle, yet will verbally correct their dogs or give them leash pops with prongs and/or chokes. What's the difference, really? |
Nothing, if you've skipped the
TEACHING phase. Using aversives before a dog has a clue what you expect is an unfair correction. Correction for what? If you've taken the time to "CREATE" the desired behavior by TEACHING, then I guarantee you, you will find NO PLACE in your training program for a spray bottle, other than to cool your dog down on a hot day.
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Originally Posted by Calin I think the most effective corrections are the one that dogs doesn't realize is coming from you.
That's why, when I used spray bottle, I didn't spray the dog in the eyes or the face. I sprayed her in the butt. |
Do you truly believe that your dog has no idea that YOU are the one standing behind her and spraying her in the butt? LOL, I think you need to give her a little more credit than that. Dogs are VERY aware of what's around them, so your reasoning doesn't fly for me.
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Originally Posted by Calin There are more than 1 way to train an animal and any trainer who gets more caught up in what they personally think is 'right' without considering new information or the personality of the animal they are dealing with are selling themselves short and worse, selling the animals short. |
Yes, that's why, in light of new information, training has evolved from yank and crank aversives and has determined that there is a Teaching Phase, a Correction Phase, and a Proofing Phase. I would offer that those who go straight to the Correction Phase are the ones selling their dogs short.
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Originally Posted by Calin Personally, I would think they weren't very good teachers. To me, a good teacher has more than 1 trick up his sleeve. |
Certainly....a GOOD trainer has many ENGAGING tricks up their sleeves. By using a spray bottle for puppy biting, many potentially positive and constructive training lessons are lost. Engaging a biting puppy using redirection and rewards for a wide variety of alternative behaviors can establish a truly solid desire in a developing puppy to want to work with you. All a spray bottle does when used as an aversive is mentally push the dog away from you. All you're doing is telling them to shut up. That's old school, and precisely the one trick pony you're talking about. Training has evolved, now people just need to evolve with it. FOR the dogs!
And that's....just my opinion!