We get a lot of great comments on our videos, and sometimes I come across one that inspires a podcast episode like this one. I’m answering a very thoughtful question that many people might have. Should you abandon one training philosophy for another when results appear elusive? And should you pick a dog training lane and stay in that lane? Professional dog trainers often forget what it’s like to be starting out. That can lead to learning overwhelm and students feeling less confident about the education they’re getting and giving their dogs, so it’s important for everyone to know the direction they are heading.
00:00 Listener Question: When to switch dog training approaches without sacrificing results? 02:35 Great dog training is compassionate, effective and efficient. 04:17 Look for behaviors to reinforce instead of behaviors to punish. 04:47 False assumptions about positive reinforcement training. 05:36 Operant conditioning applies to all animals’ ability to learn. 06:14 Any dog training method will work over time but at what cost? 07:28 When the dog’s behavior doesn’t meet your expectations. 07:46 Bob Bailey on why animal training fails. 08:58 The simple difference between a good vs. great dog trainer. 09:31 What “behavior is a function of consequence” means in dog training. 12:14 The use of aversives to change behavior in dog training are antiquated. 13:00 The two factors of mechanics and the other 23 hours of the day in dog training progress. 13:45 Criteria for selecting dog training that aligns with your personal ethics.
In the episode you'll hear: • A listener question about abandoning a dog training method when results could be around the corner. • Why compassionate, efficient, and effective dog training is the trifecta of my methodology. • The difference between finding behaviors to praise vs. behaviors to punish. • False assumptions that some balanced dog trainers make about positive reinforcement. • That with enough time, any dog training method will work, but there are other considerations. • Questions to ask yourself when your dog doesn’t behave as you expected. • How my mentor Bob Bailey defines the difference between a good trainer and a great trainer. • What “behavior is a function of consequence” means with dog training as an example. • Why I believe the use of aversives to change behavior in dog training are antiquated. • The two factors of mechanics and the other 23 hours of the day in dog training progress.
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
