I just finished browsing for dog training videos, and now I'm quite confused as to which trainer to follow. Some say use the treat system and another trainer say, use praise only. Others say never tug the dog, but another trainer says pop the dog's leash to "snap him back to focus".. I dunno who I should be listening to.. I'm considering
1. Leerburg
2. Cesar Milan
3. Don Sullivan
from your personal experiences, which trainer should I follow? Or if he's not in the choices above, which trainer would you recommend? :)
thanks in advance!
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I strongly recommend against Cesar Millan, Leerburg, and Don Sullivan.
They are dominance trainers. A dominance trainer basically uses the outdated dominance-submission methodology. 30 years ago most dog trainers and experts believed this was the proper way to train a dog. Dominance training involves asserting that you as the human must be "alpha" over your dog. This can mean leash jerking, alpha rolling, and other harsh punitive methods.
However the best dog trainers and dog behaviorists now strongly recommend against using dominance training.
Modern science, regardless of what many dominance trainers may tell you, shows us that dogs respond best to positive training methods only.
Positive methods work because it doesn't suppress a dog's behavior, but actually changes the way the dog feels about a situation. Food is a powerful motivator. Some dogs are not food motivated, so toys and play can be just as powerful for some dogs. Contrary to what some may tell you, most dogs are not praise motivated. Some are, but they are few and far between.
Leash jerking and other punitive methods actually cause psychological damage to a dog. The dog does not respond because he or she wants to do the behavior, but because he or she is afraid of what will happen if disobedient.
The trainer that I personally would recommend is Victoria Stilwell. She is the one of the top dog trainers in the UK and US.
Remember, dogs enjoy an upbeat, positive leader vs a harsh, dominating "alpha." Stick with what science says is the best method to train your dog, not what someone else says is the best method to train a dog.
For more information on positive reinforcement training, I've provided a list of common myths about positive training and why it is so effective.
Common Gun Dog Training Equipment
- I'm not familiar with #1 but defiantly not #2 or 3. Use only positive reinforcement. Cesar and Don's methods are MUCH harsher then at all necessary
Try Ian Dunbarr or Jean Donaldson. - use both praise and treats, and do not unleash unless u think it's ready and trained!
- Hounds, though they can be stubborn, can also be sensitive. I own hounds, dachshunds in particular and I will tell you, that if you want to teach your pup any thing and want him to continue wanting to learn stuff, you need to keept it short, fun and positive.
The way to get a hound to do most anything is with food, also you can use play. So when the up does something once or twice, break out into a game. Puppies have short attention spans, so keep it short, always finish with the dog happy and wanting more.
I will tell you, that if you correction based methods with a hound, you will get nothing out of him. Hounds don't respond well to correction based methods, they usually just shut down. You especially would not use a correction based method on a puppy.
You don't need to use any of these guys programs. You need to figure out what will work for your pup. All dogs are individuals, some are soft and sensative others not.
I suggest, pick up a clicker and learn how to use it. Teach your pup a lot of behaviors using the clicker. Believe me, the pup will offer a lot of behaviors once he figures out the game.
As you donig this, I would locate a good obedience training class, one that uses mostly positive methods. This way, the instructor can help you learn to comunicate better with your pup and you will have a better relationship.
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