May 11, 2011
I noticed that the Marker DVD is similar to Balabanov's training style. Will they work together if I mix and match different parts ot the training methods?
Full Question:
Hello Cindy,I just received the Marker Training video yesterday and I noticed how similar it is to Balabanov's training style. I'm new to all of these different training styles and to dog training in general. Kind of confusing actually with everything out there now.... Leerburg, Balabanov, Ellis, Dildei, etc. Can your training methods work with Balabanov's methods? Am I just keying in on the overall concept and not the specifics of how to use markers for your training methods vs. Balabanov's methods? I'm asking this question because I like a lot of the ways that the Leerburg videos train dogs and I like a lot of the ways that Balabanov trains dogs. I just don't know if they would work together if I mix and match different parts of the training methods or if I'm missing some important detail for each that would make it impossible to do that. I tried to a search on the web board, but I couldn't find too many threads by you or Ed Frawley on Balabanov.
Thanks,
Courtney
Cindy's Answer:
Hi Courtney,
The reason you find it similar is because marker training (or operant conditioning) is a very simple way to train dogs, and while every trainer can put their own little twist on it by using different words or rewards the concept is scientific and quite simple in theory. If you try to change the principles too much, you destroy the whole beauty of the system. I have found that ALL marker trainers who apply the concepts correctly actually have very similar styles.
So to answer your questions, it’s a great idea to take the ideas that you like and that work for you and your dog and use them even if it’s one thing from Michael Ellis and two things from Ivan, and a couple things from us and so on... That’s how you create your own style and that’s when you can really call yourself a 'trainer.'
I hope this has helped.
Cindy
The reason you find it similar is because marker training (or operant conditioning) is a very simple way to train dogs, and while every trainer can put their own little twist on it by using different words or rewards the concept is scientific and quite simple in theory. If you try to change the principles too much, you destroy the whole beauty of the system. I have found that ALL marker trainers who apply the concepts correctly actually have very similar styles.
So to answer your questions, it’s a great idea to take the ideas that you like and that work for you and your dog and use them even if it’s one thing from Michael Ellis and two things from Ivan, and a couple things from us and so on... That’s how you create your own style and that’s when you can really call yourself a 'trainer.'
I hope this has helped.
Cindy
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