How have your training skills evolved and who has influenced you most?

spiritdogs

When you are fortunate enough to own a dog that skilled at healing, that naturally obedient, that incredibly naturally intelligent, you realize that dogs are a magnificent species, and worthy of respect and of being treated kindly, as you would a friend and partner - always.

 I agree, it is a pleasure to own such a dog. My Gunnar is the most wonderful dog and has taught me much. He calms other dogs, he is so easy to train that if I only ever dealth with him I would most likely be very lazy with training.

 Also to me there is something wonderful about reaching a more difficult dog. When it all begans to fall in place and you can gaze at him, and he at you, and say "yes I understand where you are coming from". To me that is a wonderful moment.

say "yes I understand where you are coming from". To me that is a wonderful moment.

This method actually works very well with troubled humans too!

The one thing about punitive behaviors/training is that you do need to be careful because all things not being equal, you may find that one animal is going to react poorly to a punishment due to "where he is coming from" !

oops, thought I was posting under the word thread, sorry!

spiritdogs

Four is Company, I hate to disappoint you, but I am probably the least "structure loving" or "engineering" type person you will ever meet. 

 

Check out my quote:

FourIsCompany

...that in general, the more technically-minded, precise, structure-loving, engineering types usually are more attracted to that type of dog-training and psychology (like Karen Pryor).

Do you see where I said "in general" in bold text to draw attention to that phrase? That means not always, but most times. So, naturally, that means there are exceptions to the rule. And don't worry. Disappointment doesn't enter into it. It's just an observation I've made.

spiritdogs

When you are fortunate enough to own a dog that skilled at healing, that naturally obedient, that incredibly naturally intelligent, you realize that dogs are a magnificent species, and worthy of respect and of being treated kindly, as you would a friend and partner - always.

 

I think that describes most dogs I've ever known. I have been very fortunate, indeed.

 

Chuffy

And then I went to the fridge and got out my pot of Gu chocolate cos I just kind of need a fix.

I haven't quite perfected the vulcan mind meld over the internet to get you to share some of that chocolate.

 

our aggressive rescue dog was what influenced me the most. I learned that everything I thought I knew about dogs was not true. And Karen Pryor set me on the path to real truth.

mudpuppy

our aggressive rescue dog was what influenced me the most. I learned that everything I thought I knew about dogs was not true. And Karen Pryor set me on the path to real truth.

 

 

You and a lot of other people!  I do agree that a difficult dog teaches you a lot.  I currently have a very reactive dog, but, fortunately, I had the tools to train her.  Had I gotten her ten years ago, we would not be such a good team.  Good reason for newbies starting off with easier breeds/dogs, I guess, although that didn't always happen to me either LOL. 

Since you have been posting at idog, how have your training skills evolved, and what books, trainers or behaviorists have influenced you most?

My lessons and skills happened long before idog :) I learned the most from my behaviorist when I rescued my very aggressive Rottweiler. I was dealing with a dog that had not been socialized before I rescued her.  The book Dogs by Raymond Coppinger was a real eye opener, this book taught me about predatory motor patterns and how these can be the main reason for attacks for many dogs. 

I have learned from all our dogs, we have always taken in adults, most having been complete kennel dogs before moving into our homes or rescues with issues...Some of these dogs had never lived in a home before.   I learned a lot when we had an intact male and intact female living in the house with our other dogs...that taught a lot about our dogs behavior during the "seasons". 

I learned most from my Sister who has been a groomer since 1985 and before that was handling dogs for show etc. She has a wonderful way with all dogs and has used a calm positive manner which is amazing to watch.  She is a very busy groomer, but, she will take the time to work with dogs that no other groomer can touch and Vets cannot do nails unless put under for it.   I have watched her skills and her handling skills with a bit of awe over the years. 

I have enjoyed spiritdogs writings on this forum.  I think you have a wonderful grasp on dog behavior and an endepth understanding and skill.

I also admired my Grandfather and admire my brother.  My Grandfather had a natural way with animals and was always a pleasure to watch him handle any animal.  He could take a wild animal that was in a trap and calm it down enough to take it out.  He also raised black bears from cubs, foxes, had a team of Moose, etc. he had many wild animals that he hand raised.  He has a positive calm manner that all animals and children really responded well to.  I don't think there was any animal that he couldn't rehabilitate. 

"What skills has your dog picked up that he/she didn't have before, and what do you know about dogs now that you would not have known if you never found this place? "

I learned all my skills before idog :)  I learned that you can use high predatory drives to your advantage and it's much easier to train a dog with high predatory drives than those with very few.  I learned to re direct my Rottweilers aggression and I have even succeeded in learning what triggers her dog aggression and now we have more dog pals that she will hang out with.  I also learned that a dog aggressive dog can be one of the best dogs in a group of dogs, dog aggression in many cases is not about dominance.  If dominance is a factor in the dog being a bully etc then it could mean they have poor social skills or didn't learn enough when pups.  We have always had groups of dogs of at least 5 dogs at a time and we have had many breeds of dogs over the years.  I have learned much from the different breeds we have owned.   I learned about how important structure and routine is to dogs as well.

I also learned that while harsh training methods work quickly, positive training is more secure in the fact that your dog is learning not just being suppressed.  A friend of mine is  a professional handler and can take any dog no matter how wild they are and have them ready for the show ring within 20 minutes of intense leash popping etc.  I watched her take 2 Goldens that were hyper to no end jumping up in the air and just really hard to handle and have them walking perfectly on the leash within 20 minutes.  Do I approve of the training she uses, no way!!!  She does get results and it works for her, it's her job to put titles on dogs which she does very well at.  Do I think her training methods would work for me or any joe blow pet owner...no I don't.  She just has that no nonesense attitude that the dogs basically shut down in her presence.  She has been doing this for over 40 years, and although it doesn't work for everyone it works for her because of her personality.  That is the one golden rule I have found, no one training method works 100% for all dogs.  It's best to understand what makes your "breed" tick and work with it instead of against it.  I have seen many dogs ruined over the years due to owners getting too caught up in dominance type training and the I am alpha obey me type training...this training can come back and bite a mild mannered person literally in the bum.

I am very new here!  Only a couple of weeks.  So I don't have alot of change from the site, yet.  I can tell you that I absolutely love the site and all the different opinions of what works and not for people.    I have been involved with training since the late 80's and training methods have absolutely changed with the times.  I feel that I have been very blessed to have been involved with not only so many breeds, but also so many types of work that dogs do.  I orginally trained by the Koelher method(not proud of, but it's a fact), but now have a blend of the modern trainers.  My training is based using positive reinforcement, but will use correction later in training on the dogs that I know, know what they are supposed to be doing.  I am looking forward to learning alot from this site and everyone on it.  I feel that you should never stop learning and evolving when it comes to dog training.  I am all for an easier/better way of training a dog!  If I feel it works better, then I adapt my training to include it.  I don't follow any one trainers method.  I think that alot of people on here only deal with their own dogs and when they find a method that works, they stick with that, which is good!!  I deal with so many different types of dogs and personalities that the one trainer method doesn't work for me.  I pick what best works for that dog, and use that.

Dawn

Since I am new, I have not been that influenced by others. Poodles are different to train than other dogs. They are a "soft" breed, and harsh training methods do not work well with them. My mini does not like clicker training--sensitive hearing--so I use psative reinforcement. He has risen to off-lead agility and rally with obedience. He is also a rescue. I hope to take my Standard into other events after he finishes his AKC championship. I have been told to use chokers or pinch collars in the past, but they are only temporary fixes, and do not work well for poodles. Personally, IMO, I find that Milan is not a correct trainer, but someone who gets a dog to get exercise. Once a dog is tired, they tend to behave better. I have heard of incidents at his training center where dogs were injured on his treadmills..... I think that posative reinforcement builds character, and confidence while keeping you, the owner, as alpha. The dog's desire to please you should be the foundation to training. Karen Kearney

 Welcome to idog, Karen.  I agree with your assessment that chokes and prongs are usually not the equipment of choice for Poodles, which are not only sensitive, but incredibly bright dogs as a rule.  It sounds as though you've had good results thus far. 

spiritdogs,

 

Thanks, I think so.

 

My Standard is on his way in AKC showing.

 Good luck with that.  It's not only in obedience training that we have evolved.  I'm sure that there are lots of people who have taken handling to a higher plane, too. 

Dawn, I liked your point about the dog owners who find a way that works and keep using it with their own dogs.  But, at the same time, it's one of the frustrations I have, as well.  When they carry that over to the next dog, and the next, and become unwilling to try new things (because they always worked in the past) they become a bit like the dog that keeps jumping up because it always got him some attention before...  I didn't get to my current stage of awareness without a lot of dogs and a lot of trial and error, and I'm sure that there are many other people in my same boat.  So, my advice to newbies is don't accept everything that people tell you without doing some of your own investigation. Keep reading, keep doing.  And, if something doesn't work, evaluate it honestly - was it the method, or your implementation, that was wrong?  Always look to your dog for advice - is he happily working, or looking uncertain or tense?  Does he seem joyful in the work?  This is the ideal, in my opinion, when we form partnerships with dogs. 
 

spiritdogs

And, if something doesn't work, evaluate it honestly - was it the method, or your implementation, that was wrong?  Always look to your dog for advice - is he happily working, or looking uncertain or tense?  Does he seem joyful in the work?

 

Right on the dang nailhead, again. I try to do that every day. Since the only person who was theoretically perfect was crucified over 2,000 years ago, I first look at whether or not I made a  mistake.

 

ron2

spiritdogs

And, if something doesn't work, evaluate it honestly - was it the method, or your implementation, that was wrong?  Always look to your dog for advice - is he happily working, or looking uncertain or tense?  Does he seem joyful in the work?

 

Right on the dang nailhead, again. I try to do that every day. Since the only person who was theoretically perfect was crucified over 2,000 years ago, I first look at whether or not I made a  mistake.

 

 

 

The only time you ever made a mistake was when you tried to toss chocolate from Texas to Massachusetts - I wonder if there's an idogger somewhere in Tennessee somewhere eating my GD Godiva. 

 Posting at idog has gotten me excited about improving my knowledge.  I do get a lot from the people posting, but I'm also re-inspired to read up and have enjoyed "Bones Would Rain From the Sky" and "Culture Clash."  Most of my dog books are on dogs, and not dog training, so it is interesting to learn more about technique.

I'm naturally inclined towards positive training (and positive child rearing) so it was quite a shock to raise Ivan and end up appreciating the use of prong collars.  Ivan taught me that I need to be flexible, and open to techniques that I don't enjoy using

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