May 19, 2011
Since the day I got my 1-yr-old GSD, I have been preparing him for Schutzhund. However, I have an OUT problem right now.
Full Question:
Mr. Frawley,I have a problem with my one year old German Shepherd whom I am currently training for Schutzhund. Since the day I got him, I have been preparing him for Schutzhund. Especially the protection phase. Originally I taught him basic obedience with very few treats. I only used treats to perk up interest because Saber (my GSD) has a high desire to please and didn't need treats at all to learn quickly and remember his lesson.
I made a terrible mistake with him though. A trainer friend suggested I clicker train him to further build his confidence. Not knowing much about the clicker, I agreed for him to train my dog with CT, and much of the training was in his basic obedience, what he already knew. While it did increase his reliability somewhat it has, as you can imagine, made a dog who once had moderate interest for treats food crazy during obedience. Its to the point where he pays attention only to the food and cares little for the obedience. It seems as if obedience has now become a means to an end. Anything for that food!
I'm sorry to say but clicker training has ruined my dog! Now I'm working on "fixing" this, but my biggest problem that I need advice on is the "Out" command. Saber was having trouble learning the "Out" so I used the clicker to teach him ONCE! Now, he will not bite a sleeve, he barks and looks at me for the treat.
I have no idea what to do! I no longer have a responsive dog, I used CT correctly, with an experienced trainer. Do you have any advice on how to straighten out this problem, especially regarding the "Out" and getting Saber to have a good grip and focus on a sleeve again? Thank you very much for your time.
Darren
Cindy's Answer:
Darren
Its not my job to tell you nice things to make you happy – you have made serious mistakes here and you don’t have a clue what you are doing.
Your comments on food verify this. Teaching a dog basic obedience with VERY FEW TREATS is stupid. It indicated a total lack of understanding of dog training. I can not train you through email but I can tell you that you have been getting information from people who need more experience training dogs.
Clicker training does not ruin a dog. Bad training ruins dogs. In my opinion clicker training is a waste of time or at best a tool for poor dog trainers that do not or cannot effectively praise their dog. But it does not wreck a dog.
Also training this dog to OUT at this point is drop dead wrong. Its bad dog training on top of bad dog training.
If you are interested I can offer a list of training videos that will get you on the right track with this dog. Let me know if this is something you are interested in.
Its not my job to tell you nice things to make you happy – you have made serious mistakes here and you don’t have a clue what you are doing.
Your comments on food verify this. Teaching a dog basic obedience with VERY FEW TREATS is stupid. It indicated a total lack of understanding of dog training. I can not train you through email but I can tell you that you have been getting information from people who need more experience training dogs.
Clicker training does not ruin a dog. Bad training ruins dogs. In my opinion clicker training is a waste of time or at best a tool for poor dog trainers that do not or cannot effectively praise their dog. But it does not wreck a dog.
Also training this dog to OUT at this point is drop dead wrong. Its bad dog training on top of bad dog training.
If you are interested I can offer a list of training videos that will get you on the right track with this dog. Let me know if this is something you are interested in.
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