Teaching Articles - Page 2

I am not questioning different methods per se I am questioning why specifically conflict has to be introduced.  (Though for some of us HOW you get behaviour DOES matter)! ;)

Some of us believe in "I must everytime" for our dogs, and feel pressure teaches the dog this lesson.  Perhaps I am not understanding what you are questioning?  Can you please be more specific about what you are referring to in the above posts that you see as "conflict at the article"? 

The dog must have some conflict when OFF the article.

I can't speak for RealCold, but I believe he explained in his post, the dog must learn he cannot quit.  I'm just not sure what is not clear about that statement. 

The highlight of my 08 season was a track. Regional SCH 3. It had rained for days and the best field to be had would still be considered a swamp. I had all right corners to add handler confusion. Our track was over 50% under water with the last corner in about 4". My dog had finally taught herself to track this because she had no other choice but to find the article. She smoothly did the last corner leaving me with no doubt that it was there. She went down the last leg with me smiling and ever so proud of her as she platzed near the floating wood article. She recieved a 95 but was perfect in my eyes because of the way she handled herself. This would not  have been possible without the schooling she received.

What is not clear to me is the link between cannot quit and article indication.

One refers to tracking, the other to the latter IME

Langhaar. It is ALL about articles. That is the only reason the dog is out there. All the rest is technique of handler and dog. The dog must have a burning desire to find those damn articles. Yes they are in conflict until they resolve it by finding the damn articles. Conflict is not  a bad word.  Hope I have made this clear as you are now bringing me into conflict . I will get over it and come out the other side sronger and more confident.

Yes I am vaguely aware that the purpose of tracking is to locate articles............. ;)

I'm kind of with you, Langhaar. I like to teach the articles without conflict and don't understand a link between that and quitting the track. Frankly, I get enough conflict on the articles (with some dogs) when I introduce them on the track because the dog sees them as an interruption to the track. Then, finally, after lots of dirt time, my dogs realize the track is to find the article, and poof, no conflict. Wonderful to see.
Also, I don't think there is any "must". Plenty of force trained dogs quit the track, don't retrieve, don't do the sit out of motion, etc.....  Plenty of positive trained dogs don't either.