pure positive training - does it work??

[lblax]

Originally Posted by IJF1

There is no such thing as purely positive training - it's just marketing. It's also not helpful IMO.

..

so true!!!!
3 basic steps in training
1. teaching (should always be motivational)
2.compulsion (used not as a teaching tool but as a tool to get the desired speed and correctness of a dog that has ALREADY LEARNED THE TASK
3. proofing

[Zumie05]

You know this is the same problem that I had with Gary when we went through his first class. At Petsmart they are on a positive reinforcement program and corrections only go as far as a no, ah ah, or a squirt with a bottle or shake of a plastic bottle with some pennies in it. For many dogs that is all it takes to teach them what is expected...for thick headed stubborn strong will powered dogs that just isn't enough!

I tried and tried doing strictly only the positive reinforcement and I was getting nowhere with the leash walking thing. Now I am training at a different place where I have been taught how to use a prong collar and leash corrections for training and OH MY GOSH what a difference in my dog! I am to the point now (very proud of this, and my trainer noticed it in class tonight too) that I can walk around with the leash over my neck and have Gary stay in a heel with me even if I zig zag around the room. It is amazing!

So my opinion is that no, pure positive training does not ALWAYS work. It depends on your dog. My girl Zumi was trained on pure positive and learned to heel using a gentle leader. She was a very easy dog. Gary is so much different, I guess because he is a Rottweiler

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Zumie05

So my opinion is that no, pure positive training does not ALWAYS work. :

purely positive training never works and will break down at some point any one that tells you that they train purely positive is not only kidding people but are kidding themselves, and you you sit back and watch these people you would see that they dont. im sure that there are dogs that never have the drive to go off on there own and do something opposite of there learned behaviors. but who would want a dog like that to begin with

[poohbearsmom]

Zumie,

A dog is a dog first, and it's breed second. The same learning rules apply for all dogs = learn, reinforce, proof. While temperaments vary in each dog, the same rules apply.

[Carol Burke]

I agree with all of the above. Positive training is great, however without correction all you end up with is a spoiled dog. Once a dog has been shown what you want and knows what you are asking a correction for non compliance is in order.

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by moondog

I was able to immediately give her a pop and call her in to me (without her prize) to correct her mistake, change our direction on the next toss, and set her up for the success she usually enjoys. Now what do you think would have happened if I "ignored it"?

I love this...now was the correction/punishment the "pop" or NOT getting her "prize"?...

Anyway, I think a lot of common behavior problems in dogs (chewing, nipping house training) have more to do with the owner not being consistent (or not training at all) than the owner "sparing the (proverbial rod and spoiling the puppy".

[leanershnitzel]

I started a thread about this very topic, and got some extremely informative responses. http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/wor...ompulsion.html