Post by Am on Aug 7, 2006 1:54:57 GMT -5
kaos said:
I don't see anything wrong with rewarding his training efforts with food, attention or a game on a variable reinforcement schedule.I don't think you'll find any argument from anyone here that training should be primarily reward based. I think everyone on this board rewards their dog regularly - whether with praise, food, games, or affection.
However, that's different to saying that trainers should only utilise rewards, and never use corrections or aversive punishments. Purely positive, in my experience, does not work for all dogs.
I don't think a lack of respect has anything to do with whether or not you choose to train utilising a clicker. I am not sure how you are quantifying respect, but I can't see how a lack of respect or bad behaviour round the house could apply to my dogs.
I can't comment on your dogs, since I haven't ever met them. (And since you've already pointed out you're not purely positive, I guess it's not relevant anyway, huh?)
For me though, it comes down to asking would your dog work for you even if he knew you didn't have a treat on you? If the answer is yes, then you must be doing something right, no matter what method you're using. If the answer is no - then IMO, you're relying a little too heavily on the treat bag, instead of forging a respectful relationship with your dog.
For my stafford, he knows he might get something great for obeying a command - but he also knows darn well that he will get corrected if he disobeys. And that's the way I like it. I'm not prepared to resort to tricking my dog for the rest of his life, keeping him constantly thinking that I might be carrying a weiner up my sleeve in order to get his respect or attention. Instead, I expect his respect since I run the household, supply his food, instigate the games, lead the walks, and just generally organise his life.
If he does something super (like recall after noticing a strange dog while we're walking at the park), he will get a great reward. But for everyday minor commands, I expect him to obey me simply because I'm asking him to. Just like I would obey a reasonable request from my parents, without seeking payment.
JMO, as always.