I've been doing a lot of reading on Leerburgs methods and I really like them. But I live in Canada so I can't attend any classes or seminars. I really would like to attend classes physically so I'm trying to find some in Calgary.
There is one called clever canines that seems to be the biggest one here. But they say that they don't use food or toys for rewards.

" We do not use treats (or other confusing tactics or lures) to teach your puppy to respond to you. We want you to “be the cookie” when it comes to your puppy. By this we mean we would like there to be no greater treat for your dog than your satisfaction and praise. We want the puppy to learn to focus on you, not the treats in your hand! To achieve this we will educate you on canine psychology, body language, communication, and natural instinct, so you learn to understand your puppy. By understanding your puppy at this deeper level, you will be able to communicate to them effectively, teach them how to respond in any situation (the first time you ask), and expand your relationship beyond what you thought possible."

It seems that some people have high success with this company, but I am getting a beagle in August and I am worried because they can be very high drive dogs. THey often have a high scent drive and high food drive. How can I possible harness that drive if I can't use treats?
Does this make any sense? SHould I scrap this obedience school? They just seem to have some great programs. If you want to look at the website it's clevercanines.ca

I would go watch a class and see how they train. If it is a method that you and your dog might like then give it a try. Everybody teaches a different way and has different words for it, you can't be fooled if you see it for yourself. I hope that helps and good luck

I'd want to watch more than one class. I'd be dropping by every single class to see how the students progress (the people, not the dogs). I think it's very possible to train a dog using only your praise, but you really have to know what you're doing, especially if the dog isn't really enthusiastic about it.

I train Shelby with verbal praise and use treats very sparingly, usually only to encourage her to try something new and 'scary'. She will wiggle out of her skin in pure joy over a 'such a good dog!' She's a prime candidate for what their training methods sounds like, but I'd want to be sure they're capable of teaching people properly.

I would think your leadership skills better be A+ because dogs work for "something". That may be to avoid a correction, to win a reward or, rarely, just for praise.
If they don't get some sort of response (good or bad)from their behavior they will alter or extinguish that behavior.
Doesn't matter how much we "love" them and look at their existence with anthropomorphic eyes.
I do "love" my dogs as an important part of my family but they are dogs.
I also didn't see anything in what was written by the OP that said they didn't use correction.

How much looking around have you done for dog training classes? I just did a really quick Google search and it seems there are a lot of training facilities in the Calgary area to choose from. I realize not all of them would necessarily be convenient to you, location-wise or schedule-wise, but I bet you could find a few that embrace the marker training method.

There are, of course, a number of different dog training philosophies, and I am not in a position to pass judgment on the methods of the particular facility you have mentioned. But you said yourself that you really like the methods talked about here on Leerburg, and they seem to be at odds with the facility you are looking at.

By all means, see if they will let you observe a class or two. They mention having just two sessions, spring and fall, so the spring term may be over by now, and you are getting your dog in August. I'm assuming a puppy, eight weeks or so? You will still have time before you need to think about starting him/her in obedience classes.

I would suggest continuing your research, ask questions, and then settle on one training philosophy. That's only fair to your dog. There can be different styles within a training method, but I don't think you want to mix methods.

BTW, welcome to the Leerburg board. You sound like a caring and concerned dog owner who is going to do the very best you can do for your puppy!

I started marker training my pup to down but after 4 weeks and some upset tummy from being sick ect I stoped. He will down for praise and for toys. He will also stay inside his kennel and not leave with the door open no matter how long I leave it open till I say "All right!" then he will come out. I added putting his leash on verry slowly today and that went very well. He didn't move just sat there LOL... This is the Mal pup Gambit in the pic below.

 Quote: bob scott

I would think your leadership skills better be A+ because dogs work for "something". That may be to avoid a correction, to win a reward or, rarely, just for praise.
If they don't get some sort of response (good or bad)from their behavior they will alter or extinguish that behavior.
Doesn't matter how much we "love" them and look at their existence with anthropomorphic eyes.
I do "love" my dogs as an important part of my family but they are dogs.
I also didn't see anything in what was written by the OP that said they didn't use correction.

Dogs work for "something" is absolutely right. Is it to avoid pain? I would want to see this class in action before ever signing up.

But I also want to add that knowing what we now know about training dogs, with all the accumulated wisdom there is these days, the access to books, the 'net. videos, DVDs,, etc., I'm a little taken aback by a holdout still writing off the entire protocol of marker training.

"We do not use treats (or other confusing tactics or lures)" is confusing right there, IMO. The author doesn't know that there is a difference between a lure, a bribe, and a reward? (Each has a legitimate place, IMO, but to call food rewards a "confusing tactic or lure" is a confusing tactic.)

That whole paragraph rubs me wrong. It sounds like a throwback to yank-n-crank with a "praise" gloss painted on it.

JMO!

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

But you said yourself that you really like the methods talked about here on Leerburg, and they seem to be at odds with the facility you are looking at. ... I would suggest continuing your research, ask questions, and then settle on one training philosophy. That's only fair to your dog. There can be different styles within a training method, but I don't think you want to mix methods. ... BTW, welcome to the Leerburg board. You sound like a caring and concerned dog owner who is going to do the very best you can do for your puppy!

Ditto! And WELCOME!

There is 'professional' trainer local to me that trains without food, or toys after 6 months of age. To some extent, it works. Is it nice? No. Do dogs progress? Kinda.

Do you get the same results you do with marker training? FAR FROM IT. The marker dogs respond faster, and more enthusiastically. They have a much better relationship with the handler.

I'd suggest you look for a training center that uses marker training!




(And welcome to Leerburg!)

I would contact an acquaintance of mine, Monique Anstee, for some recommendations: http://naughtydogge.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=7 While Monique is now in BC, she used to live in Alberta and can probably point you in the right direction.