Which Training Method is Better? - Page 1

Which training method do you think is better?

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/dog-training-positive-reinforcement-alpha-dog-method

Most training methods depend on what works for the particular dog, not so much on the method it's self.

Really depends on the dog..  I was raise using kick and Stick (Koeler, Blanc Saunders, Win Strickland) then moved on to Tom Rose/Patterson and now I do whatever works on the dog.  if you can't adjust your training to the dog you've lost before you started training.  However life is still the absolute easiest to food /toy reward a young pup and imprint. SOOOOO much less work than starting a wild and wooly adult.  But then again alot of trainers want them untrained.  It really depends on what you want out of your dog.  Nothing really incorrect as long as the result is a HAPPY working dog. 

 Thanks djc and brynjulf.   Good advice.

 I think it's a joke when you see a person say they use positive only on their web sites.  If they're good trainers they know each dog is different, and what works for one dog may not work for another. I've worked with a dog who did not care for praise, treats, or toys.....which seems odd. He also had human aggression....go ahead and praise "Scotty" and watch him try to bite your face off. That's his name.....So I had to use what worked with him.

Compulsion or Positive Motivational Training...That is the question...Well...I was first taught the Compulsion Method...which was years ago..and now I've been using the Positive Motivational Technique...But it really depends a lot on what the dog dictates and what your goal is...If you are just wanting to train a dog for the home then most likely most people would use the old Compulsion Method...There are advantages and disadvantages to both ways of doing your training...using the Compulsion Method is the quickest way of doing it...but it probably means that your dog isn't the happiest that it could be...
If you use the Positive Motivational Method then it means that you're finding ways to motivate your dog to do what you want...Such as using Food to motivate them...or...Playing with your dog and getting them to do it...But this method does take more patience and will take considerably longer to accomplish...
Like I said to begin with...the method you use depends a lot on what your goals are...If you want to compete in Obedience or in another dog sport such as Schutzhund you not only want your dog to do the exercises but you want them to do it with correctness and in a happy...cheerful way...This takes a different mind set...So I would Teach a dog using Positive Motivational Techniques...then wean them off the Food or Toy and you will then use a bit of Compulsion to guarantee the consistency that you need for higher level work...
So I guess that most people these days use a combination of a few methods to get the desired result...

~Bob~

" you want them to do it with correctness and in a happy...cheerful way..."    I like that statement Bob.  

Who trains 100% positive besides Petsmart? I don't know of anyone.

@ don, the great and knowledgable victoria on animal planet