There are some excellent "compulsion" trainers out there. I can't say it's cruel or inhumane when done correctly AND the dogs still can enjoy the training. Many of these people have a "don't fix it if it isn't broke" attitude. I wont criticize for that if it works for them.
I think that a person needs to have trained a number of dogs before they can even attempt to say one way is better.
I've used many different methods and WILL say that marker training will always be #1 priority in my training but I'll never toss anything I've learned. Ya just never know when it will be necessary to go back to some "old school" methods for a particular dog or behavior.
My concern would be that, while some excellent compulsion trainers may exist, the risk of being a sub-par compulsion trainer is really a detriment, whereas being a sub-par marker trainer isn't really detrimental. I'd tend to look much more closely at the skill of a trainer that relies heavily, or exclusively, on compulsion since it seems like the risky way to train
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Yes.
As Will Rambeau, Bob Scott, and Ed Frawley have all pointed out, a mistake in marker training is generally nothing worse than an extra, possibly misplaced, reward.
A mistake in compulsion training can be quite damaging.
One of my favorite things about marker training is how my dogs love training. They wait eagerly while one dog is working, hope-hope-hoping that their turn is next.
I think what's as important as the method is the leadership skills of the one doing the training.
Just knowing how to train a dog doesn't mean a person knows why they are doing what they are doing. With to many it's just "cause that's how I was told to do it."
I'd much rather see, with any method, WHY your doing what your doing and understand the consequences both good and bad.
Again, I will forever start out with markers. I've only used the method for 9-10 yrs but it's fantastic!
It is a source of frustration to see a dog owner being trained by the dog when attempting to follow a proven training method.
Even the dog is frustrated.
When all is said and done, in my opinion, it is helpful if the owner is able to demonstrate genuine and consistent leadership skills in the training of a dog.
It is an outward and visible signature of my hubris that I believe I can spot the trainer in a dog and owner team. It isn't as important, in the first instance, to train the dog as it is to train the owner in how to train. Just an opinion.
Mike A.
"I wouldn't touch that dog, son. He don't take to pettin." Hondo, played by John Wayne
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline
Quote: Bob Scott
I think what's as important as the method is the leadership skills of the one doing the training.
Just knowing how to train a dog doesn't mean a person knows why they are doing what they are doing. With to many it's just "cause that's how I was told to do it."
I'd much rather see, with any method, WHY your doing what your doing and understand the consequences both good and bad.
Again, I will forever start out with markers. I've only used the method for 9-10 yrs but it's fantastic!
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