[nagdu] Dogs listening

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Oh, the dog does need to listen, and young dogs do need to be reminded that
they're on the job and that you're the boss.  If a slight correction gets
his attention back, then you need to use it.  It doesn't sound like you're
yanking him around, just reminding.

Following up with positive reinforcement also helps set the reminder.  And
your trainer's suggestion of going to a more positive-reinforcement based
style is probably a good one.  However, it can take a lot of work to switch
from one method to the other, since the dog is already trained to respond to
corrections -- even if only light ones -- and is motivated to avoid
behaviors which will result in a correction.  It can take a good deal of
ground work to switch over to positive-based motivation, and I have yet to
see the same results with a crossover animal that I get with one I've
trained positively from the ground up.  Still, once the critter gets the
idea, I do see good results.

Positive reinforcement is especially helpful with a timid animal (or human,
for that matter), since it is not working to avoid something it doesn't like
but to achieve something it wants and can get if it behaves in a certain
way.  Does that make sense?  Successful performance of the behavior brings
reward, which brings confidence along with the desire to repeat the success
for the reward... I also like the bond positive-reinforcement training
brings.  And, with my guide dog as with cow pony/cross country horses, you
can rely on your partner to make better decisions on the fly and to be more
motivated to consider your well-being.  That mutual trust goes a long, long
way if your on the adventurous side. /smile/

You know your dog best, and you know what you need from him.  It never hurts
to listen to advice and suggestions from others, and to consider it -- which
you are -- but how you handle your dog is your decision, and you're the one
who has to rely on him.

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Lora
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2009 7:47 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Dogs listening

A friend and I were having a discussion of weather or not I am too harsh to
my dog. When my dog doesn't listen to a command ie sit or around to go
around a door I lift up the leash or do other slight corrections to make
them listen. This person thinks that I need to relax more on my handling. I
totally disagree because the dog needs to know that I am the boss and that
they can't get away with things.

Just a thought for discussion.

-- 
Lora and Trice
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