Interesting Message on Training techniques

Ron · 03-23-2009, 01:09 PM

interesting survey from U of PA.

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/curren...ch/030509.html

This is just a survey, but does seem to confirm what most of us know about positive reinforcement vs punishment.

superpimp · 03-24-2009, 07:13 PM

nice find, i'll give it a gander

maggiemae · 04-09-2009, 10:43 AM

That is very interesting. My only problem with Maggie (9 months old) is when she is walking with me. She consistently pulls, and when she sees someone, or a dog, a squirrel or whatever, she pulls and will not listen. If I pull her away, she tries to grab the leash and pulls it and shakes it. My neighbor has a Boxer and she does the same thing. I have been trying the dominence thing, and it takes quite a while for her to stop, I will put her in a sit and make her stay for a while, but that is after her growing and pulling on the leash. She never bites at me, just the leash.

I am now going to try gentle, talking softly and putting her in a sit-stay. I will see if I get better results. I know in the past I have had better results with sweetness than anger. Anyone else with this problem?

maggiemae · 04-09-2009, 10:49 AM

I guess as some history, I did hire Bark Busters, Maggie is very submissive; however, she was afraid of the trainer and would not do anything with her. The trainer did show me how to train her and it worked, all except for the walking thing.

daisy'smom · 04-09-2009, 12:43 PM

Here is what I do with Daisy. She had a problem with both dogs and cats on the leash and would pretty much act the same way except she did not bite the leash. I put my body in front of where the dog or cat and put her high value treat in front of her nose. (she only gets that treat with a dog or cat). Her high value treat is hot dogs. I get her to sit and when she is looking at me she gets the treat and praise. Then I distract her by saying in an excited voice "let's go" and I run a few feet. It has taken a while but she is finally getting it and now when she gets to where she knows dogs are she starts looking at me before she reacts. She will start whining over the other dogs but has pretty much stopped pulling and jumping. She back slides sometimes but things are so much better.

I try not to let things get to the point where she is so excited and fixated that nothing works. If I see a dog or cat on one side of the street I will cross to the other side to put a little distance. It is easier now with dogs than cats but yesterday I got her to focus on me instead of the cat. A real breakthrough I thought.

What is Bark Busters? Does not sound good if she is scared of the trainer! I had a trainer use a shock collar. That taught me a major lesson.

maggiemae · 04-10-2009, 11:28 AM

Bark Busters is a group actually referred by my Vet. They do use positive reinforcement; however, they have this little pocket with a chain in it that they throw on the ground in front of the dog if they don't listen. They also say "Bahh" really loud. Maggie is very submissive and she got really scared the first time it happened. So, she got scared and listens to me when the trainer is there, but not the trainer. Which is good, cause she did listen to me, but on walks it another matter. She will see a dog or cat, or person a whole block away and start pulling then and there. I tried treats, and she will sit and take the treat, then immediately start pulling again. It makes it hard to walk, cause the only other choice I have is turn around and walk the other way. I'm hoping since she is only 9 months, she will eventually grow out of this.

KeeperBoy · 04-11-2009, 08:09 AM

I have heard nothing but horror stories about bark busters. Nearly all of their "trainers" are under qualified and have no experience in dog behavior and body language.

My dogs know "leave it" and we taught loose leash walking by using penalty steps when pulling. I wouldn't plan on her growing out of it. Keepers is 3 and was stilling pulling when we brought him home, only diligent training helped.

daisy'smom · 04-11-2009, 09:45 AM

I found out the hard way how careful you have to be with trainers. The problem is that there is really no standards and as the trainer that I found explained to me that anyone can say that they are a trainer. I was referred to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers by a member and I called every trainer on the list in my area. I was amazed about how many were willing to give me tips and advice on the phone. I finally chose a lady with over 40 years experience. She is great. I could only afford one session so far but the knowledge she gave me was so helpful. She has a great website with lots of tips if you are interested.
http://www.animalcoaching.com/index.php