Dog Health Questions: DS: What do you see in the future of dog training?

In the past, dog trainers were more aggressive in their approach when it came to training dogs. Treats were rarely used and most trainers got their way through force or avoidance training. Currently, positive training, with little to no physical discipline, is the popular method.

How do you think dog training will evolve in the next several years? We are sure to gain more of an understanding for dogs through more time and scientific studies. Do you think this will affect the way the general public train in the future?

I wouldn't be surprised if more bans on what some people deem as cruel training tools (such as remote trainers or prongs) were put into effect to make way for purely positive training. I don't see a balance between the two extremes ever becoming a reality. I think things will continue to get more and more positive. Your predictions?

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You know, I really can't predict it. I do know if we are going to continue to use dogs in police work, military, personal protection etc the *training tools* and physical compulsion is going to have to stay.

You made a very interesting statement. *I don't see a balance between the two extremes ever becoming a reality*.

In my house? There IS a balance of the *two extremes*. I use both. I have found the *balance*.

I do believe many people on this site see me as completely pro-prong/e-collar/physical compulsion when in reality I have and do use positive reinforcement with the above, at times, instead of the above.

I use what fits the individual dog and the situation. It is not rocket science. Thank goodness. Because I am really bad at science.

ADD: I completely agree. And the problem, lies with the mindset of the *extremes*. Neither want to or will they *give* alittle. Not happening. Whereas I am not hard core either way. I believe in a balance of training and I also don't believe one type of training fits ALL dogs. That, to me, is not possible.

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• I have been around dogs for over 43 years and my training methods have'nt changed at all.I worked at GSD school and trained and they were given treats or whatever made them listen and get the attention needed,The only training tool that was asked to be used was the chocker or prong..I have found when tring dogs,all dogs that I have dealt with,treats are used and I get the attention and results that I need..always..My style has never changed..are you talking about a special type of training???


• I saw a trainer at the dog park working with two dogs and the pups owners in a private section on it. Whenever someone passed and they would bark/growl, they trainer threw a water balloon right in -front- of them, and they'd shy away from it. She'd say "Aahhh!" but make it sound like a growl. After about 10 minutes the dogs weren't barking anymore. It was interesting.


• I see a lot of people humanizing their dogs and not wanting to "be mean and hurt the doggy's poor wittle feelings".
  
  Before we know it it'll be all click-n-treat methods. I can't find ANY books or trainers not saying "negative reinforcement will make your dog sad and hate you forever blah blah blah". I only expect it to get worse.


• Dogs will remain the same, however, people tend to swing from one extreme to the other.
  They change directions, and then swing back once they realize what the problems are with the new theory.
  
  Its very possible we will eventually end up back where we were 30 years ago.
  And then head back the other direction :o)


• they can take some tools away. but i will always have a foot to plant up his *** when he don't listen


• Training tools won't be banned, there are still going to be people that approve of them and use them, plus the AKC says it is okay. That isn't going to change. However, people that are inexperienced and only get their training advice from tv shows will use positive reinforcement. Dog trainers that stick to the "old ways" such as myself will still believe in physical correction. In a pack, if a dog got out of line the leader would beat the crap out of them. It is effective even if we humans wouldn't go that far. But like I said, with the newer dog trainers they will use positive reinforcement and tell other people to do so as well. So, yes, I think that group will grow.
  
  A lot of people don't want to bother with training their dog if it shows even the slightest stubborn behavior. They think they can train their dog in a snap and don't realize it takes a lot of time and effort. With the positive reinforcement group growing tools will be used less (though I don't think they will ever be removed) and they will replace it with treats. Because it won't work with the more stubborn breeds then, yes I think more dogs will be given up and put down. Though to train serious issues I think some would eventually resort back to physical corrections. Some owners won't try though and just give away the dog and replace it with those stupid runt "teacup" dogs.
  
  As for barking, a trainer I go to uses a plastic bottle with coins in it. When the dog barks she repeatedly slaps the bottle on her thigh or hand. The really loud noise scares the dog and they stop after a couple times.


• I would say that positive training is going to become even more popular than it is now!
  
  For me, (in a perfect world) I would love to see a middle ground! I would like for dog training to become “settled” once and for all!
  
  Purely positive training and dominance/alpha training are BOTH extremes. Neither side gets along well with the other. I can tell you right now that BOTH sides are not going to go away without a fight. There'll ALWAYS be people standing by their chosen side no matter what.
  
  Here is how I categorize dog training.
  
  There are the alpha/dominance old school/traditional dog training people and the positive reinforcement dog training people.
  
  I've found that the alpha/dominance old school/traditional dog training people are extremely close minded and set in their ways. They scoff at ANY and ALL positive reinforcement training. They believe that corrections all the time with a quick pat on the head as praise is the way to train a dog. They tend to be OBSESSED to the point of just borderline crazy (just my opinion) with corrections and being the pack leader. Now, I'm not saying ALL traditional trainers do this, but some of them use physical abuse as “training.” Some trainers, hit, slap, punch, spank, alpha roll, pinch, strangle, and the most popular hang their dogs as discipline. This is considered animal abuse to me and I WILL NEVER do that to my dog. To be blunt, these people are very hard to be around (I personally despise them) and I definitely would not want to associate myself with them. The end.
  
  I much prefer the positive reinforcement people. These people really care about building a relationship with their dogs and training them in a humane way. Positive reinforcement includes training with clickers (clicker training) treats, praise and toys. The only thing that most positive reinforcement trainers DO NOT advocate are the use of tools like choke collars and prong collars. This bothers me a bit because I've seen with my own eyes that these tools do not cause pain or harm to the dog when used properly. Notice how I didn't mention shock collars because in my opinion, this tool does NOT go under positive reinforcement. How can it? You can't change the fact that you're still issuing an electric current to your dog.
  
  My dog has a prong collar and I do issue corrections when necessary but those corrections do not hurt her in any way. This is the only place where I differ from the positive reinforcement dog trainers.
  
  I've found a middle ground between the two methods. I LOVE all aspects of positive reinforcement training and that's how I mostly train by but I also use corrections.
  
  I hope this all makes sense lol!
  
  ADD: In order to find a middle ground or balance in the dog training world, PEOPLE will have to open their minds and change. People definitely don't take to change kindly, so it will take years for the perfect balance to be found. That's sad because I know a couple of people have already found it including me. We'll just have to wait for the other slow pokes to catch up and swallow their prides.


• I predict that +reinforcement is going to gain more ground. It's hard to argue with it since it WORKS. I'm not denying the older methods work, they do but if you can get the same results without force, why not?
  
  We're still learning and if you refuse to even try new ideas, you come off (General you) as ignorant to me. I don't care how many dogs you've trained, the profession is always growing, more research is being done.
  
  And I still stand by what I've been saying, FEW that are against + actually know what it is.


• I look at it this way...IF IT AINT BROKE...DONT FIX IT
  
  Dogs were trained in the past to herd, hunt, assist in warfare, assist in police work.
  
  I dont see a reason to switch to a different way of training dogs! If you could train your dog to carry a stick of dynamite into the enemy territory...w/o being caught and w/o fearing for your own safety...that's good enough for me. I'd rather listen to someone who trains with the same ideas...than some idiot Pet Smart trainer who's stuffing treats down my dog's throat for no apparent reason.