Training methods for non-SchH dogs - Page 1

If you don't intend to do Schutzhund or protection, then what method or training or particular trainer's philosophy do you prefer to use to raise your dog to be a well mannered companion?

(Listing your favorite books and or DVD's would be helpful too.)

This reply was is taken from another unrelated thread. Thank you to Amysue, any other responses are also welcome.

GoldenElk,

I think your question deserves it's own thread... but I'll tell you my opinion on that. Bottom line it will depend on how your dog trains best AND as a trainer what you understand and can handle. Using mostly positive reinforcement is wonderful for most dogs but requires that the owner thinks more and can problem solve... not so easy for those who want to rush either as some things your dog may grasp right away and others may require baby steps. The important thing is you will not ruin your dog... you may teach them something you don't want but you always leave it open to evolve further down the road. It also helps build trust with your dog and a deeper connection... you are trying to work together to learn something new. The dogs that benefit the most, I think, are the really intelligent ones, the ones who don't handle corrections well (too sensitive) and those who would need really tough corrections to get through to them (for these try working with your dog instead of against them). I would use these methods on pet dogs as well. Other methods are available but can cause more problems if you don't do them right.

Just a bump to see if I can catch anymore replies:

For companion animals (non SchH) do any of you have preferred trainiers or DVD's? Cesar? Cindi Tringali? Paul Owens? Monks of New Skete? etc...

Praise for doing what I want it to do and correction for not doing what I want it to do.  No more, no less. 

Old school and not thought of much nowadays, but it works fine with every dog I have tried it on.  Understanding your question relates directly to obedience and such, and not the "specialized" things such as biting, etc.

I have read the Kohler, Monks of New Skete and several other books, and have tried some of their suggestions for various problems, but praise and correction with a leash and choke collar, works for most.

Golden Elk I think there is a whole world of things between basic obedience and Sch/protection training. Keeping in mind Sch is a test and protection is a job. I think simple obedience for a dog is not much different than basic manners for a child. Definately a necessity to build upon but not an end all. IMO. But absolutely ending with either an obnoxious dog or an obnoxious child without it!

I like the philosophy of the Monks of New Skete and some of what Cesar Milan says is logical to me if you have a certain type of dog. Other types of dogs I think, would see you as a steak sandwich if you used only these methods. A lot to be said for common sense as a foundation for other training.

The book "The Dog's Mind" by Bruce Fogle is excellent. And even if I wasn't learning SAR work with my dog and I knew about the book I would probably go through the Glen Johnson book "Tracking Dog" because it is so much fun for the dog and handler and can really be done almost anywhere. And no need for specialized equipment or a great deal of strength.

Good question. I'd like to see different answers, as well.

i use my breeders methods mostly; lots of positive reinforcement, but firm, no yelling,etc. our dogs started off on the gentle leaders (i know some people don't like them), used pinch collars for a short time, when i got some bad habits and gave them to angus. now he uses a martingale type collar mostly. i've started doing off leash training at home and i drape his leash over my shoulders for walks alot. i've watched a bit of the monks of new skete and i like it. cesar millan is not really a trainer; he is a behaviorist (for lack of a better word). he wants to stop unwanted behavior and get the dog focused on something else. i've always heard him recommend training beyond what he does. i may buy his newest dvd cuz he used angus's breeder in it. they helped a family choose a german shepherd pup. nice little pup, i've met the owners and her at class a couple of times. they even filmed some extra footage of their training at a few of the classes (maybe angus and i'll make the "cut").

i have a question for the "herders" out there; where would you find classes in suburbia? i'd like to see if angus could do that. he tries to herd especially little kids by using his body to turn them around if he thinks they're going the wrong way or going too far - its fun to watch him being a gentle herder. claire will nip at heels or thighs to get people to do what she thinks is best, so we watch her carefully around the kidlets. but we don't have a lot of herds of anything to work. there is a herd of  texas longhorns, but they aren't afraid of much, esp the cows w/calves.

I am going to have to say to use Ivan's DVDs.  You can apply the method for any type of training for OB, and I have found his videos to be very helpful, and the "game" is a great way to teach a dog, not much pressure should be needed if you are looking for a happy obedient dog that you are not competing with!

www.malinois.com/otvitosha is his website, there is a link from there were you can buy the viedoes, you should only need the first one Obedience Without Conflict, they are not cheap, but worth every penny ten times over!!

Best of luck to you!  ~ Kari

 Thanks everyone for the replies (and angusmom, how cool! Which video is it because he has several new ones coming out I think) I also wish herding classes were more available.

Puputz, I know it looks real simple from the onset, but the problem is that everyone's version of "common sense" varies thus we have a need for people like Cesar running around doing interventions.

I train all of my dogs in obedience at Briarwood Dog Training Center in Kalamazoo, MI.  There's a plug for ya Gail, lol.  They have all been going there since they were pups.  Some more than others.  They take turns each week!  Too bad Gail could'nt teach them NOT to eat couches!!!!!!!!!!!!  But she is really a awesome trainer.  She use to train schutzhund, but stopped quite a long time ago.  Said she didn't want to be the cause of a dog going off on someone for NO reason what so ever!  But any way, she does great obedience work.