[TMenton]

Before purchasing my puppy, I read up a ton on positive training. There is some mixed messages about what to say to your dog when it is doing something you do not approve of. My favorite book is Positive Training for Dummies by Pamela Dennison. She says to never say no at all, nor should you use "uh uh" or "wrong" or any word that is in effect meaning the same thing, because they are too negative and don't give the dog direction. Ms. Dennison also says you should instead give the dog direction, such as telling it to sit or come instead.

However, I read a lot on this board people do have words they tell their dog when the dog is doing something wrong, such as "leave it" or "wrong" or just making an "eh eh eh" sound. Also, today was our first day of puppy classes at the local petsmart, and the trainer had everything the same to say as Pamela's book except for this issue, he would do the "eh eh eh eh" sound when the dog was doing something he didn't approve of.

So far I have not told my dog "no" for anything, at least not in a scolding voice, if it accidentally came out it meant nothign to the dog as much as anything I say because it was in the same tone as whenever I talk. My puppy is only 10.5 weeks old, and we've had it for 2 weeks, so we havn't taught it sit or come yet. Hard to give another command when she doesn't know any.

So what is everyone's thoughts in this department?

[opokki]

I use a sound like "eh eh" to interrupt an undesirable behavior and then I redirect.

When my dogs do something incorrectly during training I use a no reward marker (NRM) such as "too bad" or "try again". Once understood, the NRM lets the dog know that the behavior they just offered was not what I was looking for and to try again.

[Wimble Woof]

I have no qualms with the word "No" when used in appropriate times. I dont see the real problem there??
I say no to mine when they are doing something that I completely disapprove of.

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by opokki

I use a sound like "eh eh" to interrupt an undesirable behavior and then I redirect.

When my dogs do something incorrectly during training I use a no reward marker (NRM) such as "too bad" or "try again". Once understood, the NRM lets the dog know that the behavior they just offered was not what I was looking for and to try again.

I do the same thing. Sighthounds need "kid gloves" to train.

[skunkstripe]

There are a LOT of dog training methods out there and even more books.
Not all methods are appropriate for all dogs (how's THAT for a vague statement?).
IMO saying "never say 'no'" sounds like someone has taken the concept of positive reinforcement and extended it too far. If you use the word "no" often enough, most dogs will catch on that it means "stop whatever you are doing and wait for human to tell you what to do". Some dogs cringe at a harsh word, while others will ignore you unless you holler. If you prefer anohter term, like "eh-eh" or "wrong" use that instead, but it ends up meaning the same thing.
There are some of us who are of the opinion that this 100% positive training philosophy has gotten a little out of hand. Yes it is the method of choice, yes, it is easier for the novice dog owner to apply, but no it will not help you in 100% of the situations you will encounter. Sometimes a swiftly and properly applied correction is necessary.
I'll be curious to read other thoughts!

[Curbside Prophet]

Bless the hearts of 100% positive trainers. I wish them much success. However, and IMO, the 100% positive trainers are causing a rift between some of the most caring dog trainers in the world, and as skink mentioned it really is getting a bit out of hand. I think it's important for dog traners to know when to give a verbal correction and when to follow it up with a quick praise for the desired behavior. The problem with corrections is that more often then not, the dog handler forgets to praise the dog and it becomes an endless chain of corrections. Learning on the dog's part requires good timing from the handler, and nicely timed verbal correction can be beneficial to the dog's learning.

[Jen D]

I got into the habbit of using off for everything because if I count how many times I say no during the day the dog would go crazy. I always make a point of giving them lots of attention when they are doing good or just resting on their own.

[DogsforMe]

To stop something happening dangerous I say 'uh uh' or 'stop'. In training I prefer to redirect & show the dog what I want it to do if I wasn't clear enough in the beginning.

[woof2u2]

'leave it' works for my dog - which means leave the cat, the person coming in through the door that he wants to jump on, the piece of paper that i dropped on the floor in the office, the dog he wants to sniff the rear end of and his latest fad (as its the time of year) catching and eating flies that land on the windows ! I use 'eh' to attract his attention if he has drifted off into his own world during training.

[Debbie1224]

I also don't use no, but I have found that sometimes it works. I use a "eh, eh' and that really seems to work, for Princess anyway. Missy responds to no well, I don't find that I need to use too much with her. Stewart is learning the eh, eh also. I think there is no only 1 right way to train. What I did learn from everyone is that I try to not make such a big deal out of bad behavior, a quick eh, eh and redirect their attention and then praise immediatly when they are doing what they are supposed to works. It seems like my idea that they are like kids, whereas they will take any kind of attention even if it is bad attention. So they will misbehave just to get your attention, seems like a possible senario, to me anyway. I also believe that what works with one dog, won't work with another, so you just have to keep trying.

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

Bless the hearts of 100% positive trainers. I wish them much success. However, and IMO, the 100% positive trainers are causing a rift between some of the most caring dog trainers in the world, and as skink mentioned it really is getting a bit out of hand. I think it's important for dog traners to know when to give a verbal correction and when to follow it up with a quick praise for the desired behavior. The problem with corrections is that more often then not, the dog handler forgets to praise the dog and it becomes an endless chain of corrections. Learning on the dog's part requires good timing from the handler, and nicely timed verbal correction can be beneficial to the dog's learning.

I totally agree. I don't believe in 100% positive training/reinforcement either. I don't hit my dogs or any such nonsense, but IMO, dogs need discipline, correction, and re-direction, especially when learning the rules of the home. They need to be taught what is appropriate and what isn't, but only rewarding positive behavior doesn't teach them that negative behavior won't be tolerated.

I personally use "no" with my dogs. What difference does it make what word you use? The dog learns the word with what the result is, so my saying "no" could very well be used for the same reasons someone else would use "ah ah". They aren't born thinking "no" is automatically a bad word, or will result in negative results. It's how you go about using it. Heck, you could teach them "no" means to "sit" if you really wanted to. Although you may get some funny looks giving that command if you used it for that...LOL.

[TMenton]

Good points, wasn't really what I expected but very helpful!

A book I read suggested not using No simply because it so easily turns into a negatively shouted/aggressive "NO!"

I might try "eh eh eh" when she starts doing something I don't approve of in an effort to redirect, that sounds the most reasonable to me.

Thanks!

[Wimble Woof]

I agree 100% with britishbandit on this one. Its a word, you can use any word your mind can think up, its gonna mean the same thing.

[brie]

I use "no" to tell my dogs when they're doing something bad and I want them to stop... I dont think its too negative.. It gets the point across.