Discussing different dog training methods and styles

"You will know a person who understands behavior science

when to solve a training problem,

they look in the mirror and not in the crate!" -- Nikesmom

What is a training style?

In today's dog training world, trainers are divided into several philosophies as to how to train a dog. For the purpose of my discussion here I want to concentrate on what methods are used to TEACH new behaviors and to MAINTAIN those behaviors.

Traditional Obedience Training

Traditional trainers (and I used to be one!) use physical corrections to teach the dog. For example if you want a dog to sit, a traditional trainer would put the dog on a choke chain or a pinch collar, say "sit" and if the dog didn't sit immediately would give a popping jerk straight up on the leash, while pushing down on the dog's rear end. When the dog sat, the trainer would say "good dog" and some would then give a treat. Down is trained by pulling straight down on the collar, sometimes a foot it used to stomp on the leash and force the dog to the ground. Heel is trained by giving leash corrections every time the dog is out of "heel position". Traditional trainers will use food as rewards, but their main dependency is having a leash and either a pinch collar or a choke chain connected to the dog. The dog works for the traditional trainer to avoid corrections, the food is a pleasant distraction. A "good dog" is a signal to the dog that he has performed correctly and avoided a correction. A traditional trainer is looking for what the dog is doing "wrong" and then delivers a correction.

Clicker Training

A positive motivation trainer (sometimes called "clicker trainer") looks for what the dog is doing "right" and uses reinforcement - food, toys or other things the dog may desire to motivate the dog to continue to perform desirable behaviors. (This is my training method) Clicker trainers PAY dogs for doing what they ask! To teach sit, down, heel or any behavior (except walk-on-leash) a clicker trainer does not need either a leash or a collar. A collar & leash are only used to keep a dog out of the street when outdoors or in a class setting to keep UNTRAINED dogs near their people. It is a safety line, not a training tool. To teach "sit" or "down" or "heel", a clicker trainer has many ways to train a behavior. They can wait for the behavior to occur, they can lure the behavior, they can use a target. Regardless of the method to get the dog to start the behavior the results are the same - the dog sits, the trainer marks the behavior with a "click" or a "yes", and reinforces it. The clicker trained dog works because "all good things dog" are available to them when they do this silly stuff for their owners.

Every dog training organization now claims that they use "positive reinforcement" to train. Every dog training organization now claims that they use food, toys, ect. to train.

How do you know if the class/instructor you are considering is truly a positive reinforcement trainer with a solid understanding of Operant Conditioning principles or a traditional trainer that gives food to the dog after a correction?

Ask and visit your potential dog trainer and school!

Ask your instructor if they need a leash on the dog to train it - FOR ANYTHING! A clicker trainer does not need a leash and collar to train, a traditional trainer does.

Visit the class you are considering. Go look at the adult classes. Are the majority of dogs wearing pinch collars and choke chains? Is the TRAINER'S dog wearing a choke chain or a pinch collar? If so, then the trainer/organization may give treats but they still use physical corrections to train. It doesn't mean they are evil, it just means that part of their training philosophy includes physical corrections. A clicker trainer's dog will have a plain buckle collar, or possibly (on an untrained dog or young dog) a martingale collar (this collar will tighten if the dog pulls but is set so that it will not choke. This collar is used to prevent a dog from backing out of his collar.)

Is there ever a time when a pinch collar is an appropriate tool?

I will admit, there are dogs that by the time their owners bring them to class are out-of-control. I have allowed students with LARGE, POWERFUL, ADULT DOGS to use pinch collars to gain control of their dogs. It is impossible for beginner trainers to train a dog that is pulling with such force as to knock the owner off their feet. But even then, the collar is used to stop pulling only - pops and jerks on the collar are not used. The goal is to get the dog under control enough for the owner to teach. Head halters are recommended as an alternative. I will be honest that some consider Head Halters unkind and some consider them unsafe. I have found that when used correctly they can be useful tools to help handlers with large out-of-control dogs. Head halters are still a "punisher" they just do not deliver pain like the choke chain or pinch collar.
Is there ever a time when a choke chain should be used?

I can't think of a single reason. If the dog is backing out of his collar, use a martingale collar that won't choke or a body harness.

But I don't want my dog to work for food!

Why not? Do you think it is better that they work because they are afraid you will hurt them if they don't? We humans require our employers to pay us for work. We even pay our human children with allowances and privileges for behaving in an appropriate manner. Why should we expect our dogs to be slaves? Would you show up for work everyday if all you received was a pat on the head and a "good boy" from your employer? If you would, you are hired! contact me and I will put you to work immediately! I hope you "do windows"!

But I don't want to carry hotdogs in my pocket for the rest of my entire life just to get the dog to sit!!!

Trust me, you won't. Although you will always "pay" your dog for working, you will not need to carry hot dogs with you (although it won't hurt)! There are many, many, many types of reinforcement, that can be used. Training class will show you how.

What about the national dog chain that advertises their dog trainers are "accredited"?

ac.cred.it 1. to authorize; certify 2, to believe in 3. to attribute.

If your employer has an in-house training program and says you're "accredited" then your "accredited"! You would be absolutely amazed at how little training is required by the famous name to become an "accredited dog trainer". Ask your potential trainer/instructor how many years of experience they personally have. How many classes they have taught, how many seminars they have led, and what their credentials are.