What is YOUR training method?

**BorderColliez** · 04-05-2007, 08:12 PM

What is your dog training method??

Mine consists of 99% praise, but correcting and scolding when it is needed. Most of the time I try to encourage with lots of praise and happiness, but when something goes too far I do correct or scold.

All praise & no scolding: You use only praise, and your dog thrives to get praise and learns when he does not get praise that he has not been the best he can be.

Heavy praise & light correction/scold: You often praise but when something goes too far you use light correcting or scolding.

Equal praise & scolding: You praise often and you scold/correct often as well.

Light praise & Heavy scolding: You use praise every once and a while, but often use scolding and correction.

**binka_nugget** · 04-05-2007, 08:25 PM

I use different methods for all my dogs.

For Kai, his biggest motivation is food but it's still not enough to get the correct response 100% from him. I give him treats randomly, always verbally and physically praise him, and give corrections when he doesn't obey. Verbal corrections usually do the job, but now and then I do give corrections with the leash if he is choosing to ignore my verbal corrections.

With Kaedyn, food isn't a huge motivator so it's just praise and corrections for him. Verbal corrections don't register for him so corrections are given with the leash/collar. I only correct him for obedience work. He has fear aggression. I never correct him for that.. it's praise and desensitization.

With Keeva, she doesn't seem to know she has the option of not obeying. She obeys immediately and waits eagerly for her praise. She does like food but enjoys physical/verbal praise more. Should she choose not to obey in the future, I don't think I'd correct her. I think no attention would do far more for her.

**lute** · 04-05-2007, 09:12 PM

none. every dog is different and learns different. For example, my Beanie is VERY submissive. He will only respond to praise and food. No scolding whatsoever or we'll start over at square one. My Charlie is the total opposite. He needs a firm snap of the lead sometimes to get him back on track. I cannot reward him with food or he will only want food food food!

I don't think any dog will benefit from scolding. Maybe corrections, but never scolding.

**anna_66** · 04-06-2007, 08:15 AM

I didn't vote because it's different for all my dogs. They all have such different personalities.

**pitc9** · 04-06-2007, 08:22 AM

Buddy is the only one I voted for because Sierra couldn't give a hoot if she's being praised or scolded!

Buddy reacts to praise, he is not food motivated at all!
So I voted heavy praise w/ light correction.

**coco-bean** · 04-06-2007, 08:30 AM

Coco reacts to scolding quite well! When she was just little learning potty training, biting, jumping(still doesnt understand why she cant jump if she is excited) and basic commands she learned VERY fast with a normal amount of scolding for something wrong such as biting or potty training!
We got coco at about 8 weeks old and she was already potty trained in a week.
Cainan doesnt react to well to scolding because he takes things to heart! Although he has learned his basic obedience commands with a firm no and i turn around if he gets too nippy or doesnt do it correctly! If i scold him louder then a normal conversation talk...he acts like i just ripped his little heart out and stomped on it!
Corona is just like coco, it has taken her a little longer for potty training but she learns things just like coco so the scolding seems to have the correct afffect of learning!
Of course they get praise NON stop so it isnt all scolding, but of course as for any pup that does something wrong or is being naught...praise really isnt my route! lol

**lute** · 04-06-2007, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by coco-bean

of course they get praise NON stop so it isnt all scolding, but of course as for any pup that does something wrong or is being naught...praise really isnt my route! lol

I don't praise the unwanted behavior. When I say no scolding, only corrections I'm talkig I would never hit my dogs. Would never make them feel bad for what they are doing. Correcting the behavior would be ,like biting for example. When the puppy bites you give him a toy and distract him with it. If he continues to come over and try to bite you, then you walk away. As if you loose interest when he bites. My Charlie was a horrible biter when he was younger.

**Canis-Lupess** · 04-06-2007, 11:48 AM

It would depends on the dog. I know some dogs that are way too sensitive to use any amount of scolding on.

If I was to use it, it would only be light and limited and only in certain situations.

**cali** · 04-06-2007, 12:17 PM

varies per dog:

Happy - play rewards, no scolding, but just a firmer voice when needed, neuterel noice for almost everything, she HATES peppy talk.

Misty - food and play rewards, but about equal scolding as she is pretty hard headed.

Electra - food rewards mostly, lots of peppy talk, virtually no scolding as it causes her to completly shut down.

Rusty - food and praise rewards, peppy voice, mild scolding.

Blair - FIRM voice, LOADS of praise. treats only for trick training. with Blair if you are not firm and give him lots of praise he WILL attack you.

Perky - lots of pep and lots of treats lol almost no scolding.

Ripley - treats and lots of em, virtually no scolding.

**pessimisaurus** · 04-07-2007, 02:08 AM

I train by animal learning theory. I use positive reinforcment (food, toys, praise, etc) and negative punishment (time outs). I never use positive punishment (yelling, leash pops, scolding, hitting, shaker cans, spray bottles, etc) or negative reinforment (ear pinches, etc).

Dr Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor & Jean Donaldson are some of the biggest names in founding the use of animal learning theory with pet dogs.

**sabies** · 04-07-2007, 01:13 PM

training? what training?

**Suki Wingy** · 04-07-2007, 10:15 PM

Niño needs a mix. I don't really know what I am doing except for healing, where he blocks me/ pain of choking on his collar out altogether. We are learning with the sporn harness.

**Alysser** · 04-07-2007, 10:23 PM

I try and use as much postive reinforcement/praise as possible but sometimes correction is needed...but I would NEVER hit my dog as a correction method. I was thinking more along the lines of a raised voice.

**kallisto4529** · 04-08-2007, 03:47 AM

I praise Reilly alot, he is finally starting to understand Potty, but that does not mean he has not accidents. I dont really scold him when he does, I just tell him no potty in the house and then take him outside, I dont hit him or anything like that, the only physical thing we have started doing is a squirt bottle with water.