Nicest Compliment on My Dog's Training

Elana55 · 02-13-2008, 08:27 AM

For many years I have trained my own dogs and I used traditional methods (collar jerks, "NO" etc.) and I was successful. My dogs behaved. My dogs worked. Life was good. My dogs were complimented for being so well behaved.

However, one time I watched a TV program and this girl was training a dog that looked sort of like a Flat Coated retriever. The dog was at heel and never once took its eyes off the trainer's face and was obviousluy over joyed to be heeling.. wagged her tail ALL the time they were working... and was just so HAPPY. JOY just FLOWED from this dog!

I never got my dogs to be like that. They were well trained and they behaved reliably.. they DID it were not latent but not ovejoyed like that dog.

Then I got Atka last spring and got involved in "those Border Collie People"

who do agility and sheep herding and they introduced me to positive reinforcement training and the clicker thing. While I am still working on focus and some days it seems like I have NEVER worked on focus...

I am making progress. I work every day on training... Atka plays every day at training (or that is what she thinks!).

So, yesterday I came back from my walk with her and the lady next door came over and said to me how much she enjoyed watching Atka and she said, "I have never seen such a HAPPY DOG! She seems happy ALL THE TIME when I watch you with her." I doubt my neighbor, who hasn't had a dog in YEARS knows how much that comment meant.

Atka had been put into a 'lie down' as this lady is older and frail. When Atka was allowed to come over I said to her "How do you GREET people?" and she sat down and styed at a sit while wagging her tail and getting petted. So much for the 'vicious, bully Breed, GSD.

While I know Atka is not as focused as the dog I saw years ago on TV, she is HAPPY to work, can't wait to do "dog training," and it was so NICE to hear this from someone else..

I guess it was nice to have my efforts noticed; nice to be 'verified' if you will.

rosemaryninja · 02-13-2008, 09:03 AM

Congratulations. It's a great feeling to know you have accomplished something wonderful with your dog. Makes you so proud of her, doesn't it?

Elana55 · 02-13-2008, 09:19 AM

What I cannot understand, after seeing first hand how well it works, why anyone would not at least TRY positive reinforcement to train dogs.

I wish I had used it with my LAST dog.. and, in fact, ALL my dogs. I wish I had KNOWN about it.

I am grateful for knowing about it and using it now. It works on the cats too. It did not work on my boss... but that is probably because I can't afford a really good reward. He won't work for bits of hot dog...

wvasko · 02-13-2008, 09:32 AM

Elana Congratulations:
Don't you love it when a plan comes together and hard work pays dividends. 5 years back I had taken our house shepherd (Tommy Tanker) to kennel for a bath. 3 hours later I went back to kennel to bring him back to home. I turned him loose out kennel door turned to shut lights off and when turning back noticed an unplanned neighbor that had walked through closed gates and was about 125 feet from me going to our home. Tommy was approximately 100 feet from me and 25 etc feet from neighbor. Now Tommy had good sense and courage, not a crazy biting machine etc. I was not as sure of our uninvited neighbor (thought he might attempt to kick dog etc, which would have been a bad mistake) so I yelled at neighbor to stand still, which he did immediately. Tom got to the man made a very close circle growling, he stopped lifted leg and peed on his boots. He then continued on home, I guess he figured I could handle the situation. We never have had a lot of the locals stopping by and walking in and it's kind of funny, the last 5 years the neighbors/locals now stop at the gates closed or open and beep horn and wait for me. (Hmmm I wonder why) Training even has unplanned dividends.

Renoman · 02-13-2008, 12:02 PM

Elana, isn't it wonderful when someone notices your efforts? It's moments like that which make it all worthwhile..... Congratulations.

My little training story... Although Reno and Tess were trained by a professional for obedience, I constantly worked them to hone their skills and to make sure they stayed sharp and listened no matter what. My favorite training place was the little league field in the town I lived in. It was completely fenced so there was no chance of either getting away from me. Since it was off the road and somewhat secluded from the view of traffic, it was also a meeting place for the local police and state police for 'coffee breaks', 'meet-ups' and such so they'd be there often when I was there.

My greatest moment came when one of the cruisers stopped and the officer called me over. He said he just wanted to tell me that he was impressed with the dogs and their level of training. He said he enjoyed coming down and watching them work and asked me if I minded. (Here I am thinking he's going to tell me I can't bring the dogs there or something!!!)

It only takes one 'atta girl' to make your day!!!

chul3l3ies1126 · 02-13-2008, 01:35 PM

So happy that you found out Positive Reinforcement is the BEST! Congrats... I love it!
Nessa

Love's_Sophie · 02-15-2008, 12:45 AM

That would make one's day wouldn't it? Great job!!!

tigress · 02-15-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elana55

I am grateful for knowing about it and using it now. It works on the cats too. It did not work on my boss... but that is probably because I can't afford a really good reward. He won't work for bits of hot dog...

I don't know how you would train cats except positive reinforcement. They do not have any particular desire to please you (no only works when you are watching... they're quite happy to learn soon as you look away it's fair game) so you just gotta work with what they want to do.

Elana55 · 02-15-2008, 12:27 PM

Actually the idea that dogs have a "desire to please" is a myth. The difference between dogs and cats is that if you beat on a dog and use aversives the dog STILL wants to be your buddy (pack animals) and knows you can do things the dog likes ANd you are the Source of Food as the Highest Order (usually) of what the dog likes.

Cats, OTOH, don't need you. They are singular animals not pack related canids. Use an aversive on the cat and either, as you say, he just does it behind your back OR he is afraid of you and just LEAVES when you show up.

If you beat on a dog enough the dog may end up like the cat and just LEAVE but from what I have seen, usually not. The dog still hopes for something good from you... will likely do the behavior behind your back anyway.. and will develop other behavioral issues such as rolling on his back or not coming in close to you, losing house training etc.

IOW's, not to burst anyone's bubble, dogs do what dogs do because it pleases the dog to do it. They don't do things to please their masters unless those things also result in pleasing to the dog. One reason aversives DO work is the dog is avoiding punishment (or is afraid of being punished.. by a jerk on the collar or a harshly spoken word or being hit).. not trying to please you.

mom2kdg · 02-15-2008, 01:31 PM

That's great! All of your hard work is paying off.