Gail Fisher, All Dogs Gym & Inn - The perfect place for pets and their people

N.H. Sunday News - Dog Tracks Column - 1/31/10
By: Gail T. Fisher

Last week I wrote about an “Aha!” moment I had when I was writing my book, THE THINKING DOG, when I realized that every single dog training approach I’d ever tried, observed, read or heard about falls into just three categories. I broke these down into lure-reward (luring with food to gain behaviors), compulsion-praise (physically manipulating or using collar “corrections” to achieve behavior), and marker (or clicker) training (capturing and shaping behavior). Some “methods” combine two or even all three approaches. For example, my previous training approach combined luring with some physical compulsion. In my last column, I described the features of Lure-reward. This week is about the other two approaches, starting with “compulsion-praise (C-P).”

How it works: Although the word “compulsion” implies aversive training, that is not always the case. Compulsion simply means the dog doesn’t have a choice. Using a head halter, or even a leash and collar employ compulsion. Gently tucking a dog into a sit compels the dog to sit. C-P training methods rely on physical placement or manipulation (as opposed to luring a voluntary response as I described last week), and rewarding the dog with praise and/or a food reward. For non-compliance or for an incorrect behavior, C-P relies on a collar “correction” (a pop or check) followed by praise with or without a treat. For example, if the dog fails to sit, breaks a stay, or moves out of heel position, he is “corrected,” then praised for being in position. C-P training relies on the dog learning the difference between behaviors that earn a correction, and those that earn a reward.

Pros: This was the first training method I learned and used for the first six years of my professional career as a dog trainer. In the hands of a skilled trainer, and with dogs of a specific temperament (bold, confident, even pushy), it yields fast responses. Because “corrections” can quickly (albeit temporarily) suppress undesirable behavior, at least on-leash or in the presence of the experienced trainer, C-P training can be highly reinforcing for the trainer.

Cons: C-P training requires physical skill and coordination, expertise in reading a dog, and physical timing. It is not easy for the unskilled dog owner to learn or employ, and the dog’s responsiveness doesn’t transfer well from a skilled trainer to others, meaning the dog often responds to just one person. Another disadvantage is that the dog may associate the correction with the handler rather than with his own behavior, so it can negatively impact the dog-owner relationship. And finally, dogs with softer, more compliant temperaments may not be able to deal with this approach, becoming depressed, and in the extreme, can totally shut-down.

The third approach to dog training is the one I use: marker or clicker training (CT).

How it works: The trainer uses a marker—generally a verbal or mechanical sound such as a clicker—to identify the precise behavior that has earned a reward. The reward (reinforcement) follows the marker.

Pros: The marker provides critical information to the dog. The clarity of this communication enables dogs easily understand what behavior the trainer is rewarding, and is therefore advantageous for the dog. This clarity means the dog learns quickly, and the reward that follows the mark provides motivation for the dog’s future performance. Marker, or clicker, training is by far the fastest and best approach I have ever tried, because of the clarity of this communication and motivation.

Cons: Timing is critical. A mis-timed click marks a different behavior—perhaps even an undesirable one. While that’s a disadvantage, it’s easily overcome with a correctly-timed marker. Many trainers feel as if clicker training requires too many hands—holding a leash, food, a clicker ... too many things. This is true, but there are certainly ways around it. Clicker training does not follow a set recipe. For trainers who like rules set in stone, it can be an uncomfortable departure.

In this last week of Train Your Dog Month, I hope the past few columns have given you insights into different things you can do with your dogs, different approaches to training, and the motivation to, as Nike says, “Just do it”—not just this month, but all year!

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