Where do you get your training ideas from?

Question

I just love answering training questions. And I love dog training in general, specifically, behavior problems. I have two dogs with behavior problems and from raising them, I learned everything. Different people on here give different training ideas to a single question. It can be confusing, but the person asking the question knows that there's always that risk. I use positive training methods, clicker training, and Nothing In Life Is Free. When I read a question I give an answer that has either worked for me, or has worked for someone I know that had the same problem. Answering some behavior problems, like aggression, is tricky. And in extreme cases I always suggest that person see a dog trainer who specializes that particular behavior. If I don't know the answer to a question, I just don't answer it. It can even be the opposite where the person ALWAYS suggest seeing a dog trainer. Even for something like potty training or getting a puppy to stop whining.

Some of the training answers people give are just plain stupid. They either make no sense or the person just has no idea what they are talking about. So here are my questions: what training methods do you use and do you suggest the same methods to other people? At what point do you decide that the questioner needs to see a professional dog trainer? And do you believe that the training methods that you suggested will work, or do you just want the extra points and honestly have no clue?

Answer 1

Good question.  Most of my training methods are things I learned growing up on a farm.  I also ask advice from others on other dog sites.  So while my potty training tips are what I do with my puppies, I also have many tips that come from tons of other people from other dog sites.  I like my tips to have lots of options for people to choose from.  Something might work for me, but something else might work for you, so as many ideas as I can squeeze into my tips might help someone.  Sometimes when people ask a question, it is vague, and I am not sure what tips to focus on.  I never needed a professional trainer.  I trained my puppies myself.  It may have taken me several tries to get the puppy to behave the way I wanted, but I was not raised to think it was o.k. to quit on a puppy.  So it might take me 5 times, or 7 times, or 12 times, I really don't care, I just keep at it until I get it.  Sometimes when I ask a question on the other dog sites, I think it is a simple question, but the ideas I get from others opens up a whole can of worms, and they give me ideas I never thought of.  I think the internet is a great tool for training because I don't think there is only one way to do things, do what works for you.  

Answer 2

I always give my training advice from personal experience.  I have been learning how to train dogs since I was 8, and with each new dog, I learn a new approach to certain problems.

I agree that a lot of the answers people give are flat out rediculous.  I read them, and I think "is this what they do to their own dog? and they expect it to work??"

I am pro- positive reinforcement.  All the way.  And patience is a virtue that no dog owner should ever be without!!  Some of the hyper-active dogs take 15 minutes of sitting at the door to calm down enough to go for a walk.  Several sessions of this a day can be nerve racking, but effective in the long run!  

I ONLY give advice when I have had great results with it myself!

Answer 3

First, I don't answer any questions for the points.. They just aren't worth anything, and I could care less about them.

I answer thru experience and commonsense. I evaluate the question and if I am not able to answer for sure, I leave it. If I think that the person asking has little or no experience, I will suggest a trainer. If it's a dangerous situation, I always suggest a trainer. If it's housetraining or something simple, I gives suggestions as I know what works and what doesn't.

Answer 4

Nice question!

My training ideas come from multiple sources:

books, support/training groups (email lists), websites, the shelter where I volunteer, consulting with my vet behavior specialist, etc.

I only recommend positive training methods (really, I don't even use 'corrections').

I recommend a trainer or behavior consultant frequently for aggressive/reactive/fearful dogs because these dogs need more than a quick answer from a bunch of mostly inexperienced people on the internet (I know because I've btdt).

I do believe the methods I recommend work, because again, btdt.

Answer 5

i try to suggest answers that have worked for me or people i know.

Answer 6

Any training methods I suggest to anyone I have personally tried on my dog. But just because it worked for mine does not mean it will work for someone else. Every dog is different and required different forms of training. But everything I suggest is from experience, I cannot suggest something I have never tried myself because I cannot say if it works or not.

I think the dog needs a professional when A) the owner cannot do it on their own. B) the dog has behavioral issues that need to be handled by a professional.

Answer 7

I give answers from experience. I work at a doggie daycare center and spend a great deal of time training and handeling dogs.