Collar training vs positive training

[Sowa]

I'm not looking at any other replies because I know they will just make me want to argue and its too late for that. But I currently go to Karen Pryor Academy for dog training and behavior. We prefer the term Progressive trainers, because the one trainer was correct, you cannot be a purely positive trainer. We believe in positive reinforcement!!!! and NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT! Like if my dog were to pull on leash, I wouldn't correct, but I would stand and ignore until my dog stopped pulling, then continue on. (While reinforcing for llw) Negative punishment means we take something away to lessen the chance of the dog doing the unwanted behavior again. Ignoring the puppy when it bites. When it stops, resume play. There will always be punishment, I just choose not to correct my dog. This gives the dog the chance to try different things to get rewarded. My dog isn't afraid of being corrected for trying something. Extremely helpful when they are learning. My dogs quickly learn that they get rewarded for loose leash and get things taken away from them for tight leash. I honestly believe all dogs can be trained with positive reinforcement, negative punishment, however not all dogs can be trained with positive punishment.

Forgot to show you kikopup. she's an amazing trainer with an amazing youtube library. She came up with the term 'progressive' dog training.

http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup?blend=1&ob=4

I can agree with that. What I didn't agree with is that trainer said you NEED to use a pinch or choke collar to successful. I can understand that there is no true positive training, but I was curious about not needing a training collar. What you said makes sense. I can still work with her without collars. That's the main worry I had. Also his dogs seemed trained because they're fearful they'll get punished. I don't want my dogs to be afraid of me.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

We've only used positive training, with one exception. Our dog, Jake, hates our horses and used to always run into the horse field and nip at them. We tried positive training, but it wasn't working in that situation. We feared Jake would get kicked and badly injured, or worse. We borrowed a shock collar (my husband tried it on himself first) and that shock collar is finally what trained him not to go into the horse field. We only needed to use the shock collar one day and he hasn't gone into the field since, he now stops at the fence, and doesn't go through!

[IRescue452]

You definately don't NEED a training collar of any type. Autumn was pretty well fully trained on sit, down, come and those types of things before my stepdad decided we should do the training class like his brother did with his dog (he was paranoid about having the dog and his new twin daughters). We aced the class because she was well-trained already but we did learn some new tricks like "leave it" and "front" which I'd never heard of before having her. I'd never even owned a training collar before then. How was she trained if I didn't have a training collar? I must be magic. All I used was a normal collar without even a leash attached and some treats.

[binka_nugget]

With my first dog, Kai, I trained with a slip collar. Kaedyn was with primarily corrections as well. When Keeva came along, I trained with positive methods. Leash corrections and positive reinforcement both worked for my dogs and all three listen reliably. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to train a dog but my preferred method is positive reinforcement. The enthusiasm I get from Keeva (positive reinforcement) and Kai & Kaedyn (leash corrections) is huge. And Keeva loves to learn - she offers me new behaviors in order to get a click. It makes training much easier for me.