What I think Dog training Should be. - Page 1

http://www.hssv.org/docs/behavior/dog_train_choosing.pdf

hmmmm...What breed of dog do you have?

That article says you should avoid training collars and leash corrections...and that a correction should consist of "brief timeouts" or a  "squirt from a water bottle."

My dog would love a good squirt during training....he would be acting up all day! 

Maybe this would work for some dogs...

WHAT KIND OF CORRECTIONS DO YOU RECOMMEND? For a humane, knowledgeable company, corrections should consist of brief timeouts (30 seconds to two minutes), a discreet squirt from a water bottle or a simple denial of a privilege. A company who understands behavior modification will strive to use almost no corrections but place a lot of emphasis on teaching the dog what is acceptable and then rewarding him for doing the acceptable behavior. Avoid companies that instruct you to yell, hit or pinch your dog in any way, jerk the leash, hang your dog by his collar, throw things (such as throw chains or cans with pennies inside), pinch his ear or twist his collar. All of these methods are outdated, downright dangerous and will teach your dog to fear you, not respect you. These are also methods that your small children will not be able to replicate and would actually put them in danger of being bitten if they did try to mimic them. CHOOSING A HUMANE DOG TRAINING PROGRAM Unfortunately, there is no regulatory agency or licensing required of those companies or individuals that offer dog training. Some companies or individuals are still using very harsh, traditional methods that will damage your relationship with your dog, may cause physical harm to your animal and may actually bring about behavior problems! Dog training, just like child rearing, is in a tremendous revolution to find more humane, safe ways of communicating and thus modifying behavior. You need to find a company that believes in using positives and is on the cutting edge of new methods. Training your dog should be fun and non-abusive! WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED FOR CLASS? A humane, knowledgeable company will tell you to bring lots of small yummy food treats, a 4 to 6 foot leash, and to keep your dog on a flat, buckle collar or a head collar. (A head collar is like a halter for horse only it is scaled down to fit on a dog¡¿s head. It is a very humane, safe training tool for dogs that are hyperactive, aggressive or just pull too hard on the leash. It is sold under the brand names of Gentle LeaderÆË or HaltiÆË) Anyone, regardless of experience or methods, can hang out a sign saying they train dogs. For this reason, you need to be very careful when choosing your training class. To help you find a safe, fun and humane training class, please use the following questions to screen a potential company who is not on our referral list. Avoid any company or class that requires you to put your dog on a choke collar or a pinch (prong) collar. Recent medical studies indicate that choke collars can cause trachea damage and when used with force (jerk and release) can cause your animal¡¿s neck or back vertebrae to pop out of alignment. This causes a very painful condition! Pinch collars are painful and can cause an animal to become aggressive to you or other animals. Pinch collars can also increase aggression if your animal is already having problems in this area. WHAT KIND OF TRAINING METHODS DO YOU USE? You want to find a company that uses food and toys in the training. Food training is one of fastest, easiest and most enjoyable ways to train a dog. It builds trust, clear communication and helps cement the bond between you and your dog. Once your dog understands what behavior is expected of it, he is gradually weaned off the food treats. ARE YOUR INSTRUCTORS MEMBER OF APDT AND NADOI? WHAT KIND OF CONTINUING EDUCATION DO YOU ATTEND? Avoid any company who forbids the use of food in training. The old school of thought use to be that a dog should just ¡§do it¡¿ because we tell him to and we should just be able to reward him with verbal praise only. Verbal praise is not enough for most dogs to learn quickly or with enthusiasm. It must be paired with something that the dog loves, such as food or a favorite activity. Scientific studies have given us more information on how to effectively and humanely change behavior. Outdated methods such as pulling up on the dog¡¿s collar and pu

Oh oh....................Here we go again. We've had these threads before.

Another good article on dog training. Looking for a Dog Trainer? The Humane Society of the United States Warns: Beware of Abusive Training Methods January 9, 2007 WASHINGTON -- Dog owners often seek professional advice when it comes to training their animal companion and there are many options available. From DVDs, books and television programs, to local dog trainers offering private lessons and group classes, consumers have choices about the methods and styles in which they want to raise their pup. Are you supposed to be your dog's parent or pack leader? Do you want your dog to be an obedience champ or do you just need him to stop jumping on strangers? What are the boundaries you want set? According to Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for companion animals for The HSUS, "Just like with human communications and psychology, there are varied philosophies, methods and approaches when it comes to communicating with your dog. It is important to define your goals and find a system that works best ¿ and safely -- for you. Unfortunately, we know of many cases in which a private trainer's methods were abusive and the animal was injured or killed." Shain warns that if people do choose to work with a trainer, they must be sure that the trainer's methods are safe. The HSUS offers these tips to help ensure that your dog is trained safely and successfully, as well as the red flags that may signal abusive training. Red Flags: * Trainers should never use electronic aids like shock collars which will hurt your dog and can damage your bond with him. * Rubbing your dog's nose in an "accident" will never work and will only confuse your dog. This method is harmful, unnecessary, unsanitary, and shows your dog that you do things to him that are scary and unpleasant. * Screaming is not training. While a confident tone of voice is helpful, yelling may work against you by instilling fear in the dog. Dogs will learn better when they feel safe and secure. Screaming takes that feeling away. * If your dog is afraid of a trainer, you should be too. A dog who is not normally fearful should not be cowering or whimpering around a trainer. If your dog is not comfortable, the training will not be successful and you should stop the session immediately. * Never let a trainer dominate you or your dog. People who try to physically dominate their dogs may get bitten. Trainers should never sit on, kneel on, or otherwise force your dog onto his back. Do not let anyone talk you into doing this. Your dog may try to bite or could get seriously injured from this process. * Choking is not training. Always avoid the use of choke-type collars and trainers who would lift a dog off of the ground by his collar. Recent scientific studies show that choke collars cause injury. Even if the trainer uses a regular collar or harness, they should never yank your dog around on the leash. * "Don't worry, he's fine," is something a trainer should never have to say. If your trainer is constantly reassuring you that their methods are safe, it's time to look for another trainer. Training techniques should always appear safe without reassurances. * Physical violence is unacceptable. This may seem obvious, but never let a trainer hit or kick your dog. Such methods are ineffective, dangerous, and possibly illegal. Training should never be abusive. * Bleeding is bad. Your dog should never bleed, vomit, or foam at the mouth as the result of a training session. If any of these things occur, contact your veterinarian immediately. Injuries should not be a part of a training session. * Trust your instincts. If you are ever concerned or uncomfortable with anything that your trainer is doing to your dog, end the session. Your dog depends on you to keep him safe, and you have an obligation to speak up to protect him.

Is this the right kind of squirt?

If you are talking about the dog, that is your preference. I tend to prefer a medium size pound puppy.

 bahahaha a time out? Yes lets give our dogs a time out during the protection routine in Schutzhund, or during the obedience part.  There is no way on earth that would help a dog who NEEDED a correction during the protection routine.  And squirt with a water bottle? I don't know many dogs who would take that as punishment, more like joy.  Sorry, but those methods are a joke. They might occasionally work on regular pets.....maybe, but on many they aren't realistic. 

 

Here, Astrodog, would you attempt to spray this boy with a water bottle? Or give him a time out if he needed a correction?

This is a joke, right? Right??

Hey, I've got a dog you could borrow for a week...let me know how the squirt bottle goes...and the gentle leader lol

 Red Flags: * Trainers should never use electronic aids like shock collars which will hurt your dog and can damage your bond with him. * Rubbing your dog's nose in an "accident" will never work and will only confuse your dog. This method is harmful, unnecessary, unsanitary, and shows your dog that you do things to him that are scary and unpleasant. * Screaming is not training. While a confident tone of voice is helpful, yelling may work against you by instilling fear in the dog. Dogs will learn better when they feel safe and secure. Screaming takes that feeling away. * If your dog is afraid of a trainer, you should be too. A dog who is not normally fearful should not be cowering or whimpering around a trainer. If your dog is not comfortable, the training will not be successful and you should stop the session immediately. * Never let a trainer dominate you or your dog. People who try to physically dominate their dogs may get bitten. Trainers should never sit on, kneel on, or otherwise force your dog onto his back. Do not let anyone talk you into doing this. Your dog may try to bite or could get seriously injured from this process. * Choking is not training. Always avoid the use of choke-type collars and trainers who would lift a dog off of the ground by his collar. Recent scientific studies show that choke collars cause injury. Even if the trainer uses a regular collar or harness, they should never yank your dog around on the leash. * "Don't worry, he's fine," is something a trainer should never have to say. If your trainer is constantly reassuring you that their methods are safe, it's time to look for another trainer. Training techniques should always appear safe without reassurances. * Physical violence is unacceptable. This may seem obvious, but never let a trainer hit or kick your dog. Such methods are ineffective, dangerous, and possibly illegal. Training should never be abusive. * Bleeding is bad. Your dog should never bleed, vomit, or foam at the mouth as the result of a training session. If any of these things occur, contact your veterinarian immediately. Injuries should not be a part of a training session. * Trust your instincts. If you are ever concerned or uncomfortable with anything that your trainer is doing to your dog, end the session. Your dog depends on you to keep him safe, and you have an obligation to speak up to protect him.

Trainers should never use an e collar? What if it's a life and death situation, where the dog has a bad habbit of chasing vehicles, or going after neighbors cattle?  I worked with a dog who if the woman went inside, would escape and go try to kill cattle. They were lucky the neighbor didn't shoot the dog.

I don't think any of us on this board "rub their nose in an accident" as well, and I don't know any trainers who suggest that.

The only "trainers" I know who scream and yell are so called Pet Smart trainers who are suppose to be "positive only"

People bring up the "Cesar" stuff by forcing a dog on their back, Cesar has always put them on their side, not their back. Not to mention he says do not try this at home. IF you know how to do it you won't get bit usually, but yes I agree that isn't suggested for average pet owners.

Some dogs "foam at the mouth" at the site of something they want to kill. I've seen dogs who is they saw another dog they would foam at the mouth and shake severely. They wanted to KILL.  So because of that, is the owner being abusive? Is the trainer doing something wrong? No!

I could go on and on.....