Dog Health Questions: What is a good dog training system?

If you read my earlier question about Don Sullivan [AKA whack-job] you already know that I want a training system that won't require me to be mean to my dog [this Sullivan man wants me to yank my dog's neck].

I refuse to have to hit, kick, yank, or cause any bodily harm to my dog. I am sure there is other ways to make one behave.

I hear wonderful things about Cesar Millan. Anyone have experience with him?

I'm looking for a system that is rather affordable, please.

And, if it matters any, my dog is a 1 year old male Shih Tzu.

Thanks so much. :]

Dog Training And Electronic Shock Collars

Recommended Answer:
I recommend Victoria Stillwell. Her show, It's Me or the Dog, is on Animal Planet. They just started a new season.

I like her better than Cesar Millan for many reasons. She uses far less aversive techniques. She is extremely pro-positive reinforcement. She uses modern dog training techniques that are less likely to cause any harm to the dog.

I would suggest googling her to learn more about her techniques. I would also suggest googling NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free), which is a technique that she uses--it's simple, yet very effective.

My issue with Cesar is that he uses a lot of very aversive, outdated techniques, such as the "alpha roll," which can be very dangerous to the owner and ineffective for managing the dog's aggression. He also uses "flooding" techniques for fearful dogs. He uses very little positive reinforcement, a LOT of negative reinforcement, and his methods can be dangerous for inexperienced dog owners.

The Different Types of Dog Training

• Not sure about this Sullivan guy, but if you are looking for 'treat only' training you are going to be hitting, kicking, and causing yourself bodily harm when you find out it is quite ineffective.
  
  Giving a correction does not have to cause bodily harm and is perfectly natural to a dog. What do they do to each other? Do you think they rationalize with each other? Or explain their feelings to one another? Of course not. Dogs are very physically expressive with their communication. You don't have to be mean, harsh, or cruel but a proper correction belongs in good dog training. One of the best ways to give a correction is simply with a leash and collar.


• Do it yourself. It takes time & Patience.
  My Whippet puppy has a crate. When she's bad (not very often) she has total loss of privileges i.e. no lying on the sofa, no snuggles, no playing with my older ***** for a while. Last one lasted about half an hour. She is learning that good behaviour gets rewards. If she has a dry night then she goes on a long walk. If she's good no problem.
  I do not believe in the rolled up newspaper method or anything like that. The only bodily harm she gets is for biting that is naughty & she bets nipped back on the bum where she's fattest.


• There are several variants of Operant Conditioning that work well. Just don't fall for the "positive reinforcement" idiocy that is out there, because there is no such training method. There are four segments of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement is only one of the four. As you learn about training animals you will find that all four segments are necessary. ie; when you withhold the cookie, that is negative punishment, exact opposite of positive reinforcement.
  
  So first learn about operant conditioning, and then find a training program that suits your needs.


• Ty and TJ gave great answers. I don't know about the Sullivan method, but what you are describing is a "leash pop" - and it works. Go try a "positive only" method, and when you realize that the only way your dog will listen to you is if you have food (i.e. are bribing it to perform), then come back and ask us about methods that actually work.
  
  Really, go look up the information TJ mentioned - that's how to train a dog!