Old fashioned training?...?

Question

So I have been talking to different people to get opinions on training dogs/puppies.
I have heard so many different things.
We have a friend who trained their german shepherd by using a rolled up newspaper, which they call the old fashioned way.

And other's I have talked to at work (customer's), who actually spank the dog, just like they would a child.
Then, there are other's who just use words, and teach them from scratch what these words mean.

I just wanted to get a poll on how everyone trains their dogs/pups now...
I believe things have changed since 10-20 years ago, lol.
Why does whichever method you use work for you and/or dog? And which ways do you use?

Answer 1

Crate training is the best way, that just my opinion.

Answer 2

i trained mine by teaching sit first, down second, come third and stay fourth all the while teaching potty training. we started when he was 8 weeks old and would practice once or twice a day for about 15 minutes at a time. and i would introduce the next task with each new week while quickly going over the previous week's lesson for about 5 minutes. after that we got into a little more advanced training but that isn't necessary as long as the basics are covered. also, a great training tool is to make you dog do 25 sit commands or down commands a day; this is a great way to show the dog you are the boss. i will say, never, ever hit a dog. that is absolutely the wrong way to teach him anything b/c the only lesson learned by the dog is to not trust the master. they may seem to be better but it's probably b/c the dog isn't around the master that often and that is no way to live with an animal as wonderful as a dog. my suggestion is to find a good trainer and go through puppy preschool.

Answer 3

From my personal experience harsh punishments ("spanking") don't work any better than firm correction and praise when they are doing something right. In fact hitting a dog can make them very hand shy and frightened of people. I have seen many dogs who were trained using the older methods and they cower at the sight of a fast moving hand, a newspaper, magazine, or even a leash if they were punished using too harsh of leash corrections. My opinion is that there is no place for the old style of methods. There are many more humane and effective ways to train dogs.

Answer 4

Operant conditioning / clicker training / "Nothing In Life Is Free"

What does a rolled up newspaper teach except that a dog shouldn't "do" things in your presence. Definitely not my cup of tea... I'd rather teach them what I want them to do instead of the "bad" behavior they were doing.

You'd be amazed how many people will housetrain dogs with rolled up newspaper and then are all surprised when the dog sneaks to a hidden part of the house to do their business. Duh! The didn't teach the dog "go outside to pee"; all they taught the dog was "don't pee in front of me"! And then when the dog sees them and skulks, they say the dog "looks guilty" and "knows better". It can't *possibly* be because the dog is worried about getting scolded or smacked. Give me a break.

Crate training, x-pens, and/or baby gates are definitely the way to go for house training. If the pup makes a mistake in the house, take the newspaper, roll it up, and twack yourself on the head for allowing the pup to make the mistake (old dog training joke... ha ha).

Answer 5

I strongly encourage crate training as a method for housebreaking and also as a safety measure when my puppy can't have my full attention. When I have my full attention on the pup, I can see signs that she needs to go outside and when she is in her kennel, she is less likely to potty since she's in her bed. It allows me to help her associate the act with the appropriate location. When she would start to piddle, I can stop the action immediately and take her to the appropriate area.

As far as other training, I have never hit my dogs other than a light tap with my finger on their noses to get their attention. I have found that short training sessions that practice repetition are far more effective. I personally prefer clicker training, however I do it without bribery of treats, just lots of praise and lovin.

Answer 6

You can train these things? Dang! I didn't know that! From all of the questions here on YA, I thought that there were no dogs that were house broken. All dogs chew up wires, cats and even couches! I have even read the question on the German Shepherd that had "no positive qualities"!

If these problems were easy to correct by this allusive "training", why doesn't anyone else know about it? Is this a secret that you have been keeping from us?????

Answer 7

I've been a trainer for 35 years..physical punishment has no place in dog training..no rolled up newspapers, no spanking, no rubbing nose in accidents,etc.
There are far better, more positive ways to train.

Answer 8

Oh dear, I'd never hit my pet in anyway. I have always used the reward system and just a sharp NO and bring them back or sit them down, curilty is really bad, my little girl is even trained to stop on the rug and have her feet, etc wiped before she goes on into the house, re: reward, Not bad behavior on the owner, do not do that believe it or not they are not stupid or dumb, I've met a few stupid and dumb owners. Please be patient and be kind rememeber they just like a chilld.

Answer 9

it depends on what kind of training you are doing? if it is to house breaking use a dog crate after that I would need to know what kind of training you want.

Answer 10

What are you trying to teach your dog?