I am a novice trainer and just found this site this week. I have been watching the streaming videos and reading the ebooks each day-great info! I am having a hard time understanding the philosophy on corrections though. I understand that behaviors are taught with markers and no correction, and correction is not used until the dog fully understands the command. I am conflicted, however, by info like "Using Negative Markers Instead of a Correction" where it appears using Neg Marker produces better results than a correction. This appears to contradict the philosophy of a "correction phase" of training and statements like: "In my opinion the remote collar is the most effective dog training tool that has been developed in the past 100 years....I will never own a dog again without training it with remote collars."

It seems to me, based on all the info on markers/negative markers, you should be able to train any behavior effectively without correction (other than a negative marker) by slowly, methodically proofing new locations and increasing levels of distraction.

So when/how is it appropriate to introduce corrections/remote collar? Are the statements about corrections/collars out-dated?

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not against the use of correction and am contemplating introducing a remote collar in some of my training. I just want to learn the best techniques on how to do this and feel there is contradictory information in the training philosophy. Please help me understand!!!

Well I think it all depends on a variety of factors, including the dogs temperament and the overall situation.

It is true that you can teach them almost anything using markers, and that using operant conditioning is the best first line way of teaching them

But in my opinion there are also times that a correction is needed, especially for rank behaviors or flat out bad manners when they know better.

The type of correction can vary widely from a verbal no, to a leash pop to a remote collar depending again on the dog and situation.

Brian,

There are many ways to use remote collars. It comes down to which way the handler wants to use it.

Just because one trains with markers does not mean that they dont use corrections. I recommend you read the article I wrote titled THE PWOER OF TRAINING DOGS WITH MARKERS. Its in the ebook section

Remote collar are used with marker training when the handler wants consistency in off leash control.

Ed & Jennifer,
Thanks for the quick reply! I went back and actually read the Markers article (instead of just listening to podcast) and think I have a much better understanding of your philosophy now. If I understand correctly, you are not advocating the use of corrections within marker training, but corrections are appropriate for blatant disobedience of trained/proofed commands and to extinguish unwanted behaviors. If this is correct, it would be appropriate to use a remote collar to correct for running deer, chewing sticks, digging, jumping on guests, etc in addition to using Marker to train new behaviors. Correct?

Thanks!