[nagdu] control was Dog problems

[Raven Tolliver]

Julie,
I could not agree with you more. People go on about how they need to
control their animals, rather than motivating them to make the right
choices. I think it's definitely a difference between
-correction-based methods and positive reinforcement training. Many of
the schools still make it seem like we must dominate our dogs. These
dogs are not trying to dominate anyone. They are looking for guidance,
and all they want to do is please us. But popular belief is still to
correct your dog for doing wrong rather than motivate and encourage
them to do what is right.
Also, schools still make it seem like collar corrections fix problems,
when they do not. All a correction does is communicate to dogs that
they did something wrong, it does not tell them what they can do
instead that will yield a reward or a more positive response from the
handler. Corrections make a dog afraid to disobey, rather than
motivated or willing to obey.
I too hold the philosophy of teaching self-control rather than just
controlling a dog. There is a huge difference. But people want the
training methods that seem easiest and quickest--all force and
corrections, and little to no rewards. What's in it for the dog? Make
training fun, make it enjoyable, and make it just as much about the
dog as it is about you. Dog training is not about controlling your
dog, it is about motivating and encouraging a dog to do the right
thing, and it is about interacting in a way that demonstrates
understanding, patience, consistency, and enjoyment.
Why would a dog obey if it does not yield a reward? How can a dog
enjoy working, training, or obedience if there is nothing in it for
him?
I did not understand these things until I actually started training
dogs--until I was told that I absolutely had to use methods that were
opposite of the ones I learned at my guide dog program. Negative
punishment and positive reinforcement, without positive punishment or
physical corrections. I did not believe these methods would work. But
then I was able to implement the new things I learned, and it was
eye-opening. I took the things I learned from my training sessions and
started using them with my guide dog. I saw my pessimistic golden
transform into an optimistic dog. I enjoyed working with my dog, even
if he made a mistake or did something wrong. I enjoyed teaching him
what was right rather than correcting him for what he did wrong. I
really think that if guide dog schools relied more on clicker training
and positive reinforcement, and less on correction-based methods, it
would eliminate a lot of the frustration that comes with getting a new
dog. At least, I think it would have for me personally.

On 12/18/13, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
> This thread has me thinking about how I interact with my dogs.  Specifically
>
> I am pondering the commonly used  term "control".  Often we are advised to
> control our dogs or keep them under control.  Maybe I think too much, which
>
> long time listers will be nodding their heads about right now, still I can't
>
> help myself.
>
> What do we really mean by control?  It seems to me that there is a strong
> sense of superiority, a feeling that we need to dominant another being.  Is
>
> that what we really want?
>
> This morning I'm thinking I'd rather encourage my dogs to have self control.
>
> then they can go about their business unsupervised because I trust them.   I
>
> don't want to micromanage their lives, any more than I want someone
> breathing down my neck every minute.
>
> I see control as an imposition of my will.  I don't want to do that.   I
> want my dogs to have as much freedom as is possible, while still living in
> harmony in my house.  It's the same for everyone that lives here, and to a
> lesser degree those who come to visit.  I want them to choose to do the
> right thing, because it is what they want, not because I said so.
>
> Perhaps this is the fundamental difference between punishment based training
>
> and clicker training?  I don't know.
>
> Julie
>
>
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-- 
Raven