Dog Training Methods Explained

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With all the dog trainers and training methods out there to choose from training your German Shepherd can become a confusing process. Following is a brief break down of popular dog training methods. After you read this you will be able to make a more informed and educated decision.

Dog training has come a long way since the "good old days" of the early 1900's. As with most things, war created a need for dog training and dogs that could perform tasks like sentry, patrol, messenger, bomb dog (taking bombs under enemy tanks, aka sucicide canines), and detection work. Service men in charge of the training would return home and they started training their own dogs.

Fast forward to present day. Since the 1930's dog training has evolved into a scientific endeavour with a dash of art thrown in. The art of dog training is not getting along with dogs and "whispering to them" but rather using the scientifically proven approaches to work with the dog and mastering those principles.

Professional K9 trainer and handler Jason Mann says, "When I first training dogs I would pop a leash and jerk a dog off their feet to get compliance. Why? It worked. After a decade of learning I barely put a leash on a dog anymore. Using training methods based on proven behaviorial data makes training dogs almost effortless. That is, once you master the method behind the madness."

The Various Methods for Training Your Dog

Before you read any further you should understand that all dog training is based on operant conditioning. There is not a dog trainer out there that does not use operant conditioning in their training practices. It literally is impossible. With that said, many "purely positive" dog trainers will have you believe they never use any form of punishment. This again, is literally impossible.

Dogs dictate what punishment is, not people. It is impossible to not punish a dog. However, how you punish can be controlled and that is why there are different training methods. Let's look at the various approaches to training ...

Complusion Training. Complusion training uses positive punishment (adding something undesireable to the exercise to decrease the likelihood a behavior will repeat itself) and negative reinforcement (removing something undesireable from the exercise to increase the likelihood a behavior will repeat itself). Compulsion training is what is often referred to as "force training."

Compulsion was used for decades by the Military, Police and this leaked into the private sector. Dog trainers started training dogs using the principles of positive punishment and negative reinforcement because they worked. It worth noting that one reason these methods were so popular amongst Military and Police forces was because they worked fairly quickly. They needed dogs and they needed them yesterday. So they tended to lean toward methods that would get results (despite the side effects) quickly.

In order to clarify what positive and negative mean in regards to training your German Shepherd you should understand that "positive" and "negative" do not mean good or bad. They mean to add or subtract.

You should also remember that reinforcement is anything that will increase the likelihood a behavior will happen again and punishment is anything that will decrease the likelihood a behavior will happen again. You add or subtract things from the exercises to get both of these results.

Traditional Dog Training. Traditional dog training uses positive punishment, positive reinforcement, negative punishment, and negative reinforcement in various degrees. How much positive punishment is used or how much positive reinforcement is used really depends on who is applying the training.

Traditional training is also referred to as "the balanced approach." Again though, how balanced really depends on who is applying the training. Many "balanced trainers" use more punishment than they do reinforcement but still call their methods balanced.

Reward Based Training. Reward based training relies mainly on positive reinforcement and negative punishment. Some trainers will use a little positive punishment and negative reinforcement but most of the truly talented trainers out there use very little of these in their training approach.

Reward based training is making a surge to become the most popular form of training. Reward based training employs clickers or markers to help teach the dog precise behaviors and to help the dog learn in a much less stressful manner. Reward based training can be summed up by saying that you teach the dog to be confident, make mistakes, and learn from them while at the same time developing a bridge of communication with your dog.

Out of all the methods reward based training is the most dog friendly approach you can take.

Jason Mann of Top Dog K9 Training Solutions L.L.C. states, "The reason I prefer reward based training over all other methods is because the dogs love it. They want to interact with you and they want to earn reward. I also prefer this method because as a professional trainer who helps other dog owners it is incredibly hard for them to mess up their dogs using the principles behind the method. In other words you can't freak your dog out or cause them to attack you because you punished them at the wrong time. Keeping your dog "whole of mind" is incredibly important during the training process."

So Which Method is For You?

What method works for you is the method that best fits you and your dog. One important point to remember is you are not the important part here. Your dog will dictate what method is best and you should be 100% comfortable with the method you are using. If you are not 100% comfortable with the method you are using then you shouldn't use it.

Your number one goal is to not mess up your dog. Punishment based training where you are always jerking on leashes, yelling at your dog, pushing your dog, forcing your dog to walk behind you, or beside you, all can create immense problems if you are not a skilled (and we mean a world renowned dog trainer with hundreds of thousands of hours of hands on dog training under your belt) trainer.

Positive reinforcement and negative punishment are the most dog friendly methods available to you. Positive reinforcement means giving your dog a reward like food, praise, or a good game of fetch/tug of war. Negative punishment means to remove access to these rewards until your dog complies with your request. So you say, Fido sit, they don't you withhold their reward. You ask for it again, they do it, you give them their reward. In no time flat Fido learns that doing something means getting something and this leads to reliable obedience.

Dog training methods are abundant. You may find yourself overwhelmed. You may find yourself getting frustrated. Our advice is to hire a professional who uses reward based training methods to help you get started training your German Shepherd.

Alternatively there are thousands of books and DVDs on the subject of dog training. Below is a short list of the ones we recommend for you to check out. All of them are based in reward based training methods and all them are done by world renowned dog trainers with years of experience.

Recommended Reading and Viewing:
SIRIUS(r) Adult Dog Training Absolutely fantastic video on demand of Dr. Ian Dunbar training adolescent and adult dogs and their owners. Dr. Ian Dunbar is the man who revolutionized puppy training and dog training as a result of his innovations is much more fun and relaxed. Definitely worth the investment.

The Dog Whisperer: Beginning and Intermediate Dog Training Paul Owens (The original "Dog whisperer") is a world renowned trainer whos teaching methods have helped thousands of dog owners teach their dogs effecitvely.

Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You Outstanding information from world renowned trainer/behaviorist Turid Rugaas. Calming signals not only helps during the training process but you can learn to read your dogs body language to help relieve stress, help with their frustration, and social manners. Worth every penny. Turid is also a German Shepherd owner.

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