Different training techniques...?

Question

I'm curious how many people have used the Dog Whisperers training techniques with successful results.

What other techniques have you used and how difficult or how long did it take to get results out of your dog (positive results)?

(Examples, PetSmart classes, local dog trainer from phone book, clicker training, etc.)

Basically I'd like to know what worked with YOUR dog(s).

A lot of interesting answers.

I actually didn't train my dogs with any particular techniques. I just figured out what motivated them and used that as incentive. My one dog is desperately afraid of getting in trouble. So with her it's a simple look of the eye or saying her name in a deeper tone then normal that tells her she's not acting appropriately. My other can't stand to be ignored. So rewarding the good and ignoring the bad works with him. Even when working on new tricks. Time outs work for both of them also. I tell them to sit and then I say "don't move". They will sit there as long as I let them.

The true test was my JRT's first visit to the dog park. I was nervous he wouldn't listen, but the second he hears my voice, whether I call his name or give a quick "HEY" he turns around and comes right back to me. I was surprised and kinda impressed with myself LOL!

Hope no one takes my techniques as "quality" training though. It's just what worked for me.

Oh Sunshine, if only it were that easy. Are your dogs stuffed by any chance?

Answer 1

What Cesar does isnt really dog training, he basically knows how to speak a dogs language, what he does isnt new and isnt hard to do if you understand how a dog learns and thinks. what he is doing is communicating to the dog what the rules are in the human world in a way they can understand. I consider dog training, teaching the dog things like sit, down and so on. When do you see him teach obedience? most if not all have already been taught, sit down etc. just have not been reinforced

He is a dog behaviorist as am i, but i also teach obedience and other things unnatural to a dog(police k9,etc)

be clear on what things you are trying to teach your dog before choosing a trainer or bahaviorist

there are also many different styles, positve v negative, all this depends on the dog

Answer 2

No, I used none of that. Perhaps I'm more rural, or the area I live in is more old-fashioned, but the ideas of organized obedience training, clicker training, establishing alpha status, dominance issues, animal psychology, and definately the dog whisperer are all pretty new buzzwords near me. Thus, there's only two places that do obedience training, and both of them are during my work hours. I love my dog and all, but I can't quit my job to take him to obedience classes!

I use the old method that my parents used. Good behavior gets a big old praise and a treat. Not good behavior is ignored completely. Bad behavior gets a "No!" Really bad behavior gets a swat on the butt.

It's worked well for me. Granted, he doesn't know all the commands that I'm sure are taught in obedience training, but he knows the ones that are important for us and our lifestyle. For example, I never bothered with heel because I don't have a problem with him tugging the leash when we take a walk. But sit, stay, and come are basics that he's got down pat!

I wouldn't mind using the clicker training technique, but I'm not sure if this is something I can easily introduce into his training, since I've never used it before.

Answer 3

I HATE the cuurent one-size-fits-all training methods today, not only the all force methods, but the Purely Positive as well. So many trainers have total tunnel vision and see no other way except for the method they use.

I do whatever works for the individual. Hounds, especially Sighthounds, (but other individuals as well) are much too soft for hard methods and to do that with them will usually cause them to shut down and hate training quickly. I have also worked with many problem dogs and a dog that seriously lacks respect and would just as soon bite, would not do well with the bribe with a treat method and, IMO, it is dangerous as well.

Clickers are stupid, you don't need some annoying gadget to mark behavior and use the training methods. Either you have good timing, or you don't.

Petsmart trainers are of the PP variety. I have a friend who is a manager and has told me they only hire trainers who don't know anything about it so they can 'train' them. I have watched in a few different stores, and the 'trainers' are totally clueless and I feel bad for anyone who goes to them with any real problem. It is a diservice to dogs and owners everywhere, as I am sure many people go home with their problem dogs and think, "well,we tried that" and end up euthanizing their dog.

You said - "Hope no one takes my techniques as "quality" training though."

I disagree, I'd probably want to give you a job!


Cesar Milan just uses basic common sense, just as many trainers do. Nothing special, nothing magic, there are many just like him all over the country.

Answer 4

I've been using clicker training with great results and we also are in training classes. Clicker training is used in the obedience competition classes that I take my Border Collie to. I've found this to be a very effective way to convey what I want to my dog. I taught her to touch a target in less than an hour this way.

It's not the only thing we use in class, as we also do proper corrections as needed, but I've found that the corrections are needed less often. A lot of people frown on it because it's a reward based system, but for many of the basic commands we've learned, the reward has been phased out already and that's the ultimate goal.

I'm very happy with the clicker method and will continue to use it.

Answer 5

Almost all of my dogs have been sight hounds and they would definitely not do well using Dog Whisperer "type" techniques. Without exception, they've learned either with clicker training or training which is much more like what's taught by German Shepherd breeder and trainer, Suzanne Clothier.

I've found sight hounds learn incredibly quickly and get bored quickly. To train sight hounds you need to put your ego aside and be willing to do things a little bit differently. I see red whenever someone makes the statement that Afghans are dumb. They're not, I'm adamant that you have to be smarter than the dog to train them - much like greyhounds, pharaoh hounds and wolfhounds.

Harsh methods would never work with any of the dogs I've had, but then I would never choose a more "hard-headed" breed for the very reason that I don't like the methods often needed to train them.

Answer 6

When I originally started training, I used techniques that are similar to what I understand he is using now. It was called the Koehler Method. Some people still use this type of training. I does work, but I don't like it as it creates an adversarial relationship between you and the dog. I succesfully titled several dogs using this method.

However, we had problems. I had one dog who became terrified of the long down exercise. He knew I was going to correct him, so he tried to leave. Of course, I corrected him for leaving. We got into a real vicious circle with that. I also had a similar problem with the alpha-roll, in that the dog was afraid and felt he had to defend himself by growling and snapping. I would correct him and he would become more afraid.

I prefer newer training methods because it is more fun for me and the dog. They are not afraid of making a mistake. I will correct if I'm being deliberately ignored, but most of the time I simply need to figure out how to explain more clearly what I want because my dogs are now motivated to work for me. They learn faster because they are not stressed and waiting for the next correction. Training is now a partnership, a dance between me and the dog, with me as leader.

Answer 7

I have been using both the dog whisperer "psychology" on my dog combined with petsmart "dog training" both are working well...I think the dog whisperer techniques are great in establishing the pack leader role which re-enforces dog training techinques...my dog is a husky and generally they are hard to "train" so the dog psychology really helps speed up teh process,...he is great..he knows all teh basic commands which he is learning in petsmart classes...he has also always walked well on teh leash never infornt and doesnt pull (psychology) and he alwasy waits for me to walk thru teh door first...also when i put down he bowl of food he sits and waits till i instruct im to eat...very obedient...but i really think that dog psychology and dog training are two different thinsg taht go hand in hand to create an obedient dog

Answer 8

I'm not familiar with the Dog Whisperer, but I have found that positive reinforcement worked very well with my dogs. For instance, I got a Pekingese puppy at 10 weeks. Within a week, he was able to sit, lay down, crawl, and say beg. House training was a little harder, but he was mostly trained within about 3 weeks.

Answer 9

clicker training is fantastic, easy to learn, and very effective! i used it with my dog and have been able to teach him good manners and a bunch of fun tricks! once you get the technique down and your dog gets the idea, it can be a blast! i was able to teach a friends dog to high five in 10 minutes at a party, so the results are definitely quick! there are a lot of books out there about it. good luck!

Answer 10

I did nothing. I had someone actually tape a bunch of his shows and I scanned them but didn't see anything to spectacular. Basic common sense. The one that wanted me to see them was the one that brought me the attacking lhasa. The alpha approach would not have worked with him. We let him just stay on the sidlines till he felt comfortable. He does now and wants to control everyone but he is with my brude and they will allow only what is acceptable to their pack. I know they won't hurt him but they have been the best teachers for many troubled fosters.