I don't even know how to phrase this ......

How do you pick the best parts for you and your dog of various training protocols, and also avoid hopscotching from one to another and confusing the heck out of the dog?

I've seen folks who never change, never evolve, never even hear when something new to them is explained.

Example: it was a very few years ago when many working dog handler/trainers completely dismissed marker training as a tool in the protection-sport toolbox. I mean snickering, superior, absolute scoffing at anything to do with marker training.

And it was a very short time before that, that even using tangible rewards (such as food) in training was similarly ridiculed by many.


OTOH, how many of us know people who switch from one method or practice to another constantly, completely confusing their dogs and never building on any foundation because something else has come along? I know I do!



ETA

I know there's a question in there .....








Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/30/2013 03:52 PM)
Edit reason: eta

I think flexibility is an extremely important factor, if you buid it into a system, as Michael Ellis does. Case in point, he is already remaking videos that he and Ed did together because his method is still evolving.

However, it is important that there be a system; an overall structure that the pieces fit together in. Just jumping from one thing to another will do neither you nor your dog any good whatsoever.

One thing I've learned in my very brief time in sport is that there are a lot of wonderful mentors to draw from. On the surface, their systems may not agree with one another. Broken down, however, there are valuable components that you can use from each of them.

ETA; I have the good fortune to have atraining director at my club who is reasonably open-minded. He allows each of us to train how we individually see fit, in OB, and with the more experienced ppl, bitework. That is unless, of course, he sees a glaring mistake. Then he comes down quick and hard.

Edited by Duane Hull (01/30/2013 04:30 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Sometimes people are afraid of making mistakes trying something new. Some have no reason/desire to change if they are successful with what they're dong now.
I guess it helps if a person has trained a number of dogs over the years and actually seen and been a part of most of them. That makes it a bit easier to decide which is better for that person and their dog.
Tough for a beginner though because a lot of the different methods can work and watching a trainer use any method done well and think WOW that's for me.
Obviously you can look at a given trainer and dog and see how well it works. Is it happy? Does the handler and dog have a good connection away from the training? Is it just responsive in a "trained" scenario? I've see lots of competition dogs that would steal the butter off the table in a heart beat.
With experience a good trainer can blend parts of different methods but most will use more of one then the other. ME is the #1 that comes to mind with that. Marker training and correction when and if needed.
I've gone through the different phases that Connie mentioned. Correction only to absolutely no correction. both work. Experience has allowed me to play around with them and not mess the dogs up. I don't know if that can happen without time put in so watch, look, listen....and PRACTICE.
Don't try switching from one method to another until you and your dog(s) BOTH really understand how the individual dog is processing any of it.
If any trainer trashes to much on any one method then he/she is probably wrong too. LOL!