Hunting Dog Training

Question by Ginbail ©: When did “positive reinforcement” become the preferred dog training method?
I remember a time when the “rolled up newspaper” method of dog training was the accepted norm. Back then, many trainers taught their dogs to do amazing things (and do them quite well) using methods that most folks today would consider “cruel”. I’m not advocating any particular school of training here, but I was wondering: What happened that most people changed their training habits? How did positive reinforcement start, and do you think it will continue to be the preferred method of dog training?
Does anybody here really believe that folks who trained their dogs using harsh methods actually loved their dogs any less?
Is it really so bad to learn out of fear? Once again, I’m not advocating a particular training method, but if it works is it such a bad thing?
St. Lady raises a good point … I too learned many things out of fear of my parents’ reactions to things I did when I was younger. I learned right from wrong because I knew that wrong behaviors had negative consequences. I think I turned out OK. Couldn’t a dog?
Anybody who wants to read a good article about how Ian Dinbar started positive reinforcement and how he compares to Caesar Milan’s methods should definately click DogJudge’s link.

Best answer:

Answer by Kaebell
I’m not sure when it became the preferred method, but here’s something I do know: These days, people have grown to love their dogs more than ever. And hitting your dog with an old newpaper would be like hitting their family. That’s probably why people consider it cruel. Yes, it probably will be the preferred mothod in the future as well.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by vicky: Which method for dog training is better clicker or reward?
I have a 7 month old Belgian Malinois and I want to teach him some simple tricks. I don’t intend to make him a protection dog. I know it’s quite costly. I was able to teach him some obedience training like sit, stay, fetch etc. and I’m using the reward method and I find it ok. I’m just curious. Is clicker training better?

Best answer:

Answer by renee k
what ever works for u.we use treats

Give your answer to this question below!

She is a malamute and she is 8 months old any advice would be great

My fiancee and I just got a Shiba Inu Puppy and we were looking for the best ways to train our puppy to his new environment. Shibas are very agressive and stubborn animals so we want to know what’s the best way to approach his training. I heard alot about doing the dog whisperer method but I’ve read at some places that that method may not be good.

We have spent two years exhausting normal training methods with absolutely no luck. We see the electric collar as the only way as we live in close proximity to livestock and she has chased before. Does anyone know of any trainers that use e-collars in the leicestershire area? Also, how should we go about training her to not chase? should we correct her when she points/looks at the animals or just wait until she chases?

She is fine in the house and good on the lead. This is a last resort.

Lastly what do you think of the collar manufacturer ‘Pac collars’?

thanks