Chimera Kennels

Today I had an interesting conversation with one of our members on various aspects of rank drive vs more handler senstive dogs and the trainability of both. As a result of this conversation, a thought came about as to how to better express my views.

When it comes to OBEDIENCE, I believe all TEACHING of NEW BEHAVIOR should be done with motivational techniques...starting often with food (for guidance and clear communication), and then working towards toys and praise reward for speed/efficiency once the command has been learned for motivational stimulation of faster complience.

Once however that has been done (the command/desired behavior association has been learned), then I think it is fine to use compulsion (spare the rod, spoil the child) to proof a behavior under destraction.

Now, with that said...I do think training the dog to focus is important. I think once the dog learns the focus instruction and chooses to wonder in his mind, that could be deserving of a correction.

I try to work with my dogs like I do with my children. I give guidance, instruction, and help them succeed. I don't tell them what to do and then expect them to do it without first LEADING THEM to demonstrate how to obtain success. Once I do that though, and they understand what I am asking, then I will use compulsion (correction) when needed...but the compulsion given is only enough to get the job done and not so much as to break the trust of fairness/firmness.

When one uses more compulsion than is needed OR when one uses compulsion without first teaching success (how to win), then they are not a fair master and the bond will suffer...be it the bond between master and dog...or parent and child.

In addition to the above, about the only other time I use compulsion to stop undesired behavior...be it chewing on a pair of shoes or for undesired aggression...but I try to keep it to a iminimum by setting things up to succeed. I prefer a dog that has little to no rank drive (towards humans especially) so I don't have to deal with handler aggression as well (by handler I am referring to any family member). I have no patience for that.

I mention these things because the "yank the dog into complience" method will NOT work efficiently or effectively if the dog does not first understand what is expected. Instead, it will produce confusion, reduce training efficiency, and hurt the bond of trust/fairness between the dog and master...and as a result the dog will distance itself from their master (even if only emotionally or in terms of loyalty). To improve the bond...try to make sure your dog understands what is being asked of it during the training. Find a way to "seek to understand" so your instruction comes across as clearly possible. This will help motivate the dog and improve the bond. Additionally, try to get the dog to perform the desired task by having it make a decision though mental guidance to earn the reward rather than applying physical pressure on the dog's body. By having them decide what to do for the reward rather than manipulating their body into the desired position, mental communication is more efficiently established.

Anyway, these are just some thoughts.

Makes alot of sense, also like u said it makes the bond stronger!