Recent content by Burtyler

I don't think I only mean that Malbbe! I agree Alec......bet that surprised you? ;-)

Alec. When you first start to train any dog do you not begin at a very close range to them? You wouldn't try stopping a dog at 300 yards from the outset...... you start close and then add distance. The clicker is used to tell the dog they achieved the behaviour you wanted not as a signal to...

Clickers are old hat, very old hat, probably why some think they are new is because the idea is a selling point by the recent (15 years or so) development of COMMERCIAL dog trainers, more often selling themselves as 'reward' or 'positive' trainers & 'behaviourists'...IT'S ALL SALES TALK. I...

Like everything new to us handling a clicker takes practise. By the way it is often mainly used when teaching a behaviour and then once the behaviour is learnt a verbal marker (praise word) can be used. The big advantage of a clicker is it is a quick, clear and consistent marker......plus it...

I am fascinated so thanks for being so open and honest. Its an importamt lesson for us all to learn. However, I have to say,personally Alec I do not totally agree with your methods. But I understand why you do what you do for the results you get. You do use reward.....the dog gets to continue...

I can stop my Goldie in his tracks with a ball. For example he was just going off chasing a Muntjack and I simply said his name and Get it....his cue for the ball.... and there he was with me and after the ball. No running in and grabbing him, no yelling and it took me no time at all to train it.

There is always an assumption that reward or reinforcement means shoving food down a dog........ it shows a lack of understanding of what Positive Reinforcement means. Positive means adding something Reinforcement means something the dog likes or finds rewarding (in THEIR opinion) which will...

Alec .....Even when using "discipline" do you not use any form of praise or reward...... a game or a toy for any dog that does as you "order" them to do? How do they know when they have done the right thing or do you only let them know when they get it wrong?

I have to agree with Teaselmeg...... Using physical punishment DOES work..... but I feel its a quick fix and at what cost? Dobie girl says "I know people who have and far from their dogs having their brains fried have had wonderful results with no side effects, their dogs are...

An electric collar?? As in a shock collar?????

The concept of us being the "leader of the pack" is an outdated theory. I do however, as the article below suggests agree that we need to provide leadership and guidance for our dogs. Being a simple "leader" may be (?) a better way of describing our relationship with our dogs as using the term...

Does that help? I can also suggest various articles and books for example "how dogs learn" by Burch and Bailey which covers the early trainers and how they used and developed the scientific principles to where we have ended up today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operant_conditioning

Blimey....where do I start....? We are talking a type of learning called "conditioning". Quote "Operant conditioning (or instrumental conditioning) is a type of learning in which an individual's behavior is modified by its antecedents and consequences. Instrumental conditioning was first...

I have a " Retrieva" tracker collar for one of our dogs who's nose takes him out of sight. Its tough, lockable and waterproof and very effective. You simply log in and view on the mobile phone. . We have peace of mind as to whereabouts he is. In this day of dog thefts too I am happy we have one!