Funny, But True?

Question

I was getting annoyed the other night when some advice I gave (sound advice in my opinion) was refuted by another "trainer" who's methods I disagree with completely. I was telling my friend this, someone who has worked with our breed for over 15 years, she runs the rescue I work with, and has dealt with more problem dogs than anyone I know, dogs with SERIOUS problems mind you and gotten them adopted out. Anyway she made the comment that "the only thing two trainers will agree on is that the third one is wrong". Do you feel this is true, have you ever gotten conflicting opinions on training and are not sure which way to go. I've tried several different methods and have found what works for me and my dogs but the woman I am referring to says that I'm just doing her method wrong, and of course that my method is wrong... Yeeeah.

And no I'm not a trainer, I have spent thousands on classes, and have spent my whole life with dogs.

And have been told countless times I should get into the business, but I don't usually have patience for other peoples irritating dogs. Lol, hence the reason I try to give them advice, but I certainly wouldnt want to do that on a daily basis!

Iggy: I'm not trying to train other peoples dogs. I wont because I get annoyed with how dumb people can be and how their dogs turn out. I was simply giving advice to someone who asked on a forum. I was sharing my experiences with her and advice I've heard from MY trainer. I get questions at the dog park because MY dogs are well behaved and social and listen, people ask me questions about what to do with their dogs and 9 out of 10 times what I tell them makes sense to them and when they try something simple it works. It's not necessarily training advice anyway, it's more common sense, to me anyway. I was irritated again today because she's arguing with someone else that gave IMO GREAT advice on how to get a dog to calm down.

Like: taking a doberman to an enclosed area is a GOOD thing so they can sprint and get that energy out.

She said: no you need to walk,jog or attach them to a bike.

Dobermans aren't built for that kind of running so she was wrong and acted like the guy was

an idiot for giving the first line of advice...

Zappatas: I loosely follow leerburgs advice. I think clickers are great for TEACHING but once the dog knows the command and ignores you, they should be corrected, however you choose to correct them (appropriate for the individual dog), I don't care much for clicker training in breeds like dobermans and GSD or other strong breeds, if the reward isn't good enough they arent' going to listen, which IMO can be dangerous. Doesn't mean you have to be cruel, but a dog should learn that they can't just ignore you and listen when it's convenient for them.

That's what I told the girl the first time, of course the trainer said I just didn't know how to use clickers right.... I only spent 6 months trying and forking over money with a "professional" before finding another trainer whos methods worked better for my dogs. If you have more submissive or easy going dogs, use a clicker if it works. But don't say I'm wrong because it goes against YOUR particular brand of training.

Not trying to rant or anything, just trying to make my question clear, to see if anyone has dealt with this sort of thing before. I hate when people tell me I'm doing something wrong just because it doesn't work for them. Kinda goes along with people telling me I shouldn't own my breed because I dont fit the profile...

Same person that told me I shouldn't use E-collars told me that I shouldn't have dobermans because I'm just a young woman.... another clicker trainer

Answer 1

Your friend is right.
I've found that every trainer has the opinion that their way is the only way and some are actually quite rude if you don't agree with them and do exactly as they say.
They are mostly people who have spent thousands of dollars on classes but they fail to realize that what looks good on paper does'nt always work.
Every dog is different just like every person is different. What may work on 100 dogs may not work on the next 20 and the trainer will blame everyone else rather than take on a different approach or after doing much damage will give up entirely saying the dog is untrainable or it's owners won't put in the time away from class.Or they get annoyed with you because you don't want your dog to be a clone of theirs or everyone elses.

Answer 2

I'm not a trainer but over the years have gotten really bad advice from trainers. No, I don't do blindly if I don't believe something will work and as you said it involves a lot of common sense. I had trouble training this last female and used a trainer who was firm, soft spoken and got the job done very quickly. The trainer I used with my other dog was more abrupt and not as personable, she also got the job done but I didn't want to use her again because I didn't particularly like her and felt she addressed issues that I already knew how to handle. I think some trainers think they are starting with a blank slate, the owners are idiots and don't know a thing.

Answer 3

I believe that all dogs cannot be trained the same way. You have to be open to other ideas and opinions. Sometimes what works with one dog will not at all work with another dog. I have no problems asking someone who trains dogs differently for their advice and opinions. I feel that it helps me if I learn from others when I encounter another dog in the future that is a problem. You have to be open to learning and trying new things. You cannot get stuck on one way to train, cause it won't work with every dog out there.

Answer 4

I am not a trainer but belong to a few groups that have professional trainers and breeders as well as very experienced dog people.

I haven't experienced a lot of negative or conflicting comment. Mostly one will add comments "in addition to." I think most agree that not everything is 100% and what works on one dog might not work on the next..

Most of the really experienced/pros will answer my questions with a "why it works" as well.

I've owned dogs most of my life but the addition of our Aussie Cattledog has forced me to really learn & be proactive. It's not a "turn it loose in the yard" breed. LOL

I think I've learned a lot in the past year & also have a LONG way to go. :-)

So I'll add my thanks to all the dog people who have helped me so much!

Rick

Answer 5

The "Dog Whisperer" is a great example of such disagreement. I've yet to find many trainers that like his techniques, yet he does get results.

It's not surprising that the other trainer "refuted" your advice. It's clear you two have radically different traning philosophies. Her reply "the only thing two trainers will agree on is that the third one is wrong" reflects the difference.

If you try her methods, do you believe that it will work? It seems doubtful. Confidence in what you're doing is a great aid. You have faith in your style and the other trainer has faith in hers

Answer 6

As each dog has it's own unique temperament not all of one trainer's methods may work on a particular dog. There are many pathes to the same destination. There are many good trainers out there that each have their own unique methods of training. In my opinion, what ever works for the dog in question aslong as abuse is not a part of it.

Answer 7

Yep, that's pretty accurate....what one believes in and what works for one person and their dogs may be totally different with someone else...

The first thing I learned in dogs was that there are as many different ways to train as there are trainers. I have taught obedience classes both privately and in groups, and I use the method that I believe in and what has worked for me and my dogs....

I've also learned alot by talking to trainers that differ in methods than mine....some people tho offer down right dangerous advice...

Answer 8

Unfortunately, some people are not responsive to new training ideas and believe that their methods are correct and everyone else's is wrong.

Totally agree that generally, the only thing two dog trainers will agree on is that the third dog trainers methods are "crap".

Answer 9

I have never heard that mainly because i am not a trainer.
Well i guess i learn something every day.

Answer 10

1-if you feel dogs are irritating, as you put it, other peoples dogs,,,then why are you trying to train dogs, thats a stinky attitude......dos are not irrittating, only the their owners...,.

2-you are sounding like the person you describing in your question..

think it over, maybe you should not try I said try to train dogs....