A while ago I put up a series of videos on how to choose a dog trainer. What a lot of people dont know is that there is no regulations for dog trainers. Anyone can say that they are a dog trainer.
Thats why i put up the video series - to help dog owners find the right dog trainer for them. One of the most important points that I make in the videos is that using negative reinforcement can backfire on you.
One of the big problems with prong and choke collars is that cross asscoitations can happen. Here is an email I just recieved about this problem:
Hi Eric,
Love your web site!
Your video clip #3 in the Truth About Training explains my situation perfectly.
I listened to bad advice about training at the time my 5
month old male border collie who was pulling like crazy on
the leash.
I used the pinch collar for about 2 weeks. What
started happening was redirected aggression, he was
biting me when he saw a dog because I was essentially
biting him with the collar.
I stopped using that collar and started to go to a
private trainer that used positive reinforcement.
I have seeing the trainer for about 2 months now and
we are working on obedience and dog behavior.
He has aggression toward other dogs, as explained in your
video, and he is very interested in cars and has
chased 2 of them but not in a few months.
He is doing great with obedience. He can do all the basics,
sit, stay, down, come, back, etc.
My question to you is what is your technique for
correcting a dumb training mistake that you refer to
in clip #3, cross associations that come about because
of negative reinforcement?
Thank you so much,
Laura
Whenever a dog makes a negative association we need
to spend time training your dog to make a positive
association.
This is done by rewarding your dog in the presence of other dogs.
At first it may be a little difficult and you may want to use a gentle
leader to get some control over your dog around other dogs.
Given enough time you can start to change your dogs behavior. If
there is a good positive obedience training class in your area you
may want to attend the class with your dog.
All the best,
Eric
