Confused about training - Page 1

Since bringing 12 week Benny home 4 weeks ago I have been reading online what many experts have to say about training and so much of it conflicts. Charles Lee Kelley, the New York Times trainer says puppies should just be played with and no training or corrections at all for until 6 months. He thinks puppy obedience classes (which I signed Benny up for when he is 16 weeks) are harmful. He says very bad things about the Monks of New Skete. I have their books and used their methods with my last GSD and it worked well. I never had to use any of the harsh corrections the monks suggest (only in rehab cases,) because my former dog was very easy to train, submissive temperament. Cesar seems more balanced but I have read bad things about his methods too. The class I signed Benny up for claims to used positive methods the first half hour of the 90 minute class is socialization. They recommend a titan slip chain but say we can use a nylon or leather flat chain if our dogs are sensitive. Other sites say this will damage the dog. Some trainers say to roll the pup on his back when he is mouthing and others say this will damage my bond with him. Depending on who I listen to i have already made so many mistakes \:\( I think that just like children every dog is different. With one of my sons i had to verbally hit him with a bat to let him know I meant business, but with my other son, just a look was all it took. To treat the sensitiveness one like the older would have been abusive, but the older needed strong boundaries and it would have been negligent not to provide them.
With all the training methods out there how do I know what is right? I just want a happy, healthy well behaved, obedient dog that I can take places. I am hoping to have him become a licensed therapy dog.

Basically, every dog is different, like you said.  Some need training from the beginning, some not until they're older.  Personally, although I didn't do it when mine were pups, I think clicker training would be a good start for a youngster.  It lets them gain confidence without pounding anything into their little heads and they "get it".  I think it would build a good starting relationship as there is no negative reinforcement, should work for any young pup.  I love to see their expression when they begin to understand.  If you don't know anything about clicker training, try a local training club or get a good book.  Good luck with your baby!

You can train your puppy and make it fun.  Nothing has to be pounded in.  Use treats and positive reinforcement.  I taught Echo to come, sit and down her first day home at 8 wks of age.  Socialization thru puppy classes is a good thing and as for the training it all depends on the trainer.  Don't use anything but a flat collar on the pup at this age.  Don't snap or jerk the collar.  Use a treat to redirect, he will follow his nose.  The monks have good advice, their hard corrections do not hurt the dog if you are talking about the alpha shake and chin chop.  I've used both and I have rolled Echo over a time or two.  Our bond is strong and she knows who is boss.  Ceasar doesn't train dogs.  He speaks to them in body language and you can learn to do that too.  Don't worry about making mistakes.  Fortunately, the GSD is smart enough to work around our mistakes.  You must be firm and consistant in what ever you do and you'll do fine.  Just let him know what you expect and don't change the rules from day to day and he'll figure you out.
Good luck!
Deb

You have to take the age of the dog into account too. A 90 lb. male GSD is going to need a stronger correction than an 8 week old pup! 

IMO, the biggest mistake people make is to treat dogs like humans. They have their own body language, which you will gradually learn to interpret. Mother dogs DO correct their puppies: they will gently bite them across the nose, or even growl at them. I think it's totally insane to not teach a dog anything until 6 months of age! Your furniture could be chewed to kindling by then!  I've seen videos of 2 month old pups being taught the beginnings of service dog work. Somehwere I have a link to a video of a 4 month old GSD retrieving the phone for its hard of hearing owner!

Find out what works. Each dog IS different. Learn about canine behaviour, by reading and observing. Most dogs have a VERY high pain threshold in comparison to humans. A gentle but firm correction, such as grabbing them by the scruff, or tapping under the chin is NOT going to hurt them.

Here's the link to the dog, a 13 week old GSD retrieving the phone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0XrFufHetA

In my opinion, clicker training is the way to go especially  for small pups, no matter what their temperament - the principles do not change, just the method in that you may progress at a slower pace with one pup, or use " luring" with another. They are like little sponges who learn amazingly fast and do so with enthusiasm because it makes them confident and they begin to think - there is no better way of communication between species. The best part of clicker training is that you cannot make mistakes that can harm the pup and for someone new to training, learning a few principles and adhering to them is all that is required. And you can never start too early - here is a picture of Labrador puppies being clicker trained at 8 weeks - observe their concentration. They are now 12 weeks old and already learning to sniff out substances they are being trained on with gusto.

If you are unsure of training methods, I think the best idea is to find a trainer you are comfortable with and go from there.  There are a hundred different methods, and I might use a different one on a hundred different dogs, but if I wasn't sure I'd start by asking my trainer and my TD, both of whom I trust.  At some point you need to pick the method that works the best for you and your dog and stick with it.  If anything ever makes you uncomfortable, don't feel pressured into it.  Don't feel you have to do what the Monks say or what some NYT columnists says - neither have ever met you or seen your dog.

It is a lot to wade through with all the different methods out there!  Be proactive, choose what is best for you and your individual dog.  One dog's stress might look the same as another dog's blowing you off.  Only YOU know your dog enough to know the difference, no trainer lives with your dog and spends time with them every day.  Know your dog, evaluate the methods yourself and apply them only when you understand them and are comfortable.   If you are active in your choices for your dog you'll have no regrets about what other people are doing or think.  Don't worry, have fun learning about what's available.  Go watch a class for yourself before you bring your pup, decide for yourself if its harmful or not.