German Shepherd dog

People are too funny with their opinions aren't they!

Obedience from the get go is done in drive for a toy or food.  I use food mainly for position or for teaching the position, ie: sit or down, etc. etc.  Correction isn't done until way later, and the correction itself, I'm hoping will make the dog be in drive more, vs. killing the drive.  Funny, I've found with all my GSD's,  3 of them, I had done food for down stays, but there reached a point where I had to add a real correction in and with all of them, it was really only one session of that, then they knew what I was asking.  That's when you now that it's an effective correction and not just nagging the dog. 

So overall training is in drive as I try to keep a happy dog, but I'm still a work in progress, as I can get boring!

BTW- I used an e-collar on my first GSD, learned from the mistakes that led me to need it, and have not used one on my own dogs since, nor do I plan to.

I start mine with treats and then move on to a toy which gets the speed up.  Have never used electric and haven't needed to use much correction.  If you have a look at www.k9ulf.com my Angus (the Goose) is shown in the obedience video doing some heelwork and there are some other videos showing dogs working with Ulfs motivational methods including the out in protection.

Margaret N-J

Bleeding fingers! Yikes! Rule #1 at my house is you don't get the cookie if you're touching skin.

My boy Trigger has never been big on treats, so I use a lot of love and praise. Probably too much praise. When I'm trying to teach something new Trigger will start whining when he"gets it" as he knows his reward will be 10-15 minutes of ball chasing followed by a belly rub if I have the time.  I try to make training sessions short and fun. After having my arm pulled out of the socket a few times walking him to the car, I taught Trigger this weekend he has to sit in front of the open car door and wait unti I say it's okay before jumping in the car. He gets so excited I can see him shake, but I guess the reward of a ride is worth it :)

depends on the dog I agree.... ranges from positive praise /mild correction, to e collar and toy rewards whatever works best for each dog. There is no set in stone training or magic forumla to me, read the dog and work it.

I use love and praise and lots of treats.  If they don't respond satisfactorily to that, then I whack over the head with a stiff stick.  If they still disobey, I crank up the electricity till I get submission and the correct response/position. 

I'm feeling mean today, just couldn't resist.

This one clearly depends upon the dog.

Some are so object oriented they train for the toy.

Some so food driven they train for treats.

Some, but few, can just train for the love of it -- although many can get to that point eventually.

This is not about trainer bias, but dog preference.

(Sadly, I appear to now have a pup who would train for sex, but I can't arrange it.)

 SS You rock!!