Interesting Article Saying "Train Your Dog Less"

[Camilla and Darwin]

DH sent me a link to this today (no doubt to justify our lack of training with Darwin recently LOL) 

 

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/07/training-your-dog/

 

I realize it isn't the most scientific or official article ever, just thought it was an interesting idea. What do you think?

[Adina P]

We train with corrections and the 'consequences' are built into the method I follow.  I say "sit" give Boca 1 second and if she doesn't sit I give her a leash correction (it is a form of a collar pop) that makes her sit.  She learns pretty quickly that it's way better to sit right away.  It's not more complicated than that but her training has allowed her to understand the corrections and we don't correct during the teaching phase--she has to demonstrate understanding before we give corrections otherwise the corrections are not fair.  Same for all commands but the corrections are different based on the command because the corrections have to bring the dog back to 'correct'.  So for us, corrections are unpleasant consequences, BUT they also make Boca get it right so she can get praise for being right again even if I had to help her do it.

 

However, that doesn't mean YOU should do the same thing if Sophie hasn't been trained up the same way.  And Traci, little puppies aren't quite ready for corrections in the same way. 

 

But Boca doesn't get to choose not sitting when I say "sit" without being reminded that's a bad choice.  There's no "Boca sit...Booooca siiiit...BOCA SIT SIT SIT please!"  It's "Boca Sit" and then if she doesn't, I make it happen.  End of story.  And that's why with practice in lots of places we can now walk into a dog park and 16 month Boca will hold a sit stay while dogs come up and sniff her =)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I think this is fascinating and I have read things similar to this before.

For example:  humans should only study two hours a night or they are no longer learning.  This did not work for me!  LOL

Dogs--no more then 5 minute sessions per training.   It is better to incorporate training into daily life habits, such as sit to get a treat, sit at the door, rather than to have them sit 20 times in a row to teach them the task.

After awhile, humans and dogs just can't concentrate or loose interest.   Another example that less is more.