Do trainers have better kids?

Bequavious · 03-20-2013, 06:16 PM

I don't have any kids yet, but sometimes the way parents talk to their small children reminds me of how I train my dog. I thought it would be interesting to discuss whether people who trained their dogs beyond the basic sit, down, come-if-you-feel-like-it, were able to apply some of that training knowledge to raise better behaved children? I'm not saying people's children can or should be trained like dogs, but I do think some of the same principles of reward based conditioning might be useful for future little ones

AngelaA6 · 03-20-2013, 07:13 PM

sorry for straying a little off topic..but i just imagined someone clicker training their toddler haha

Anywho, I don't really know, all the people I know that have been trainers are the "forever alone" type x.x'

wolfy dog · 03-20-2013, 07:20 PM

The operant conditioning techniques work on anyone with a brain; animal or human. I have trained chickens, koi, mice, rats and my dogs and kids (just don't called it training). Never tried it with my DH cause he didn't need any training.

JackandMattie · 03-20-2013, 07:26 PM

I'm not an expert dog trainer, but we have most of the basics down. I have raised a 19-year old son, though, and I did implement a lot of the same positive reinforcement techniques with him as a toddler that I had watched my mother use with her competitive GSD.

Positive reinforcement, redirection, limited choices, removing obstacles that set the child up to fail (child proofing), affection, one on one time...mutual respect.

The boy is excelling as a college freshman. He is confident, attentive, knows when to leave it, be quiet, and go get it, he is loyal, obedient, respects authority, and he's everyone's friend (not fearful).

So yes, I definitely think the same approach works! Lol! Poor kid, I just described my boy as the perfect dog, doh.

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Bequavious · 03-20-2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackandMattie

The boy is excelling as a college freshman. He is confident, attentive, knows when to leave it, be quiet, and go get it, he is loyal, obedient, respects authority, and he's everyone's friend (not fearful).

sounds like you raised the perfect teenager lol!

Bequavious · 03-20-2013, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfy dog

The operant conditioning techniques work on anyone with a brain; animal or human. I have trained chickens, koi, mice, rats and my dogs and kids (just don't called it training). Never tried it with my DH cause he didn't need any training.

Wow koi? What did you teach them to do?

llombardo · 03-20-2013, 07:41 PM

In my case I raised my son then the dogs and they all turned out great. So I think I was a better trainer because of my son...does that make sense?

wolfy dog · 03-20-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bequavious

Wow koi? What did you teach them to do?

That is not so impressive as it was so easy. Tap the side of the pond and feed him a piece of their food. Later he followed me as I walked by or followed my hand over the water and I rewarded it by giving him a goodie. He was tame and ate from my hands. When we moved I gave him to someone who had a large koi pond. I still miss that fish, more like a real pet. Too bad he lived under the water's surface and couldn't go on walks.

JackandMattie · 03-20-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfy dog

That is not so impressive as it was so easy. Tap the side of the pond and feed him a piece of their food. Later he followed me as I walked by or followed my hand over the water and I rewarded it by giving him a goodie. He was tame and ate from my hands. When we moved I gave him to someone who had a large koi pond. I still miss that fish, more like a real pet. Too bad he lived under the water's surface and couldn't go on walks.

That is soooo cool!

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JackandMattie · 03-20-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bequavious

sounds like you raised the perfect teenager lol!

He's not perfect, lol! But he accepts responsibility for his actions and respects authority (not that he has never challenged it, a lot like my adolescent male GSD).

But I honestly remember, time and time again, while he a toddler, asking myself, what did Mom do with Skada to get him to behave?!? Yep, I'm a "dog person!"

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03-20-2013, 06:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bequavious Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 52	Do trainers have better kids? I don't have any kids yet, but sometimes the way parents talk to their small children reminds me of how I train my dog. I thought it would be interesting to discuss whether people who trained their dogs beyond the basic sit, down, come-if-you-feel-like-it, were able to apply some of that training knowledge to raise better behaved children? I'm not saying people's children can or should be trained like dogs, but I do think some of the same principles of reward based conditioning might be useful for future little ones

03-20-2013, 07:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
wolfy dog Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,329	The operant conditioning techniques work on anyone with a brain; animal or human. I have trained chickens, koi, mice, rats and my dogs and kids (just don't called it training). Never tried it with my DH cause he didn't need any training. __________________ To know if you are doing things right, you should be willing to trade places with your dog.

03-20-2013, 07:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
JackandMattie Master Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 644	Do trainers have better kids? I'm not an expert dog trainer, but we have most of the basics down. I have raised a 19-year old son, though, and I did implement a lot of the same positive reinforcement techniques with him as a toddler that I had watched my mother use with her competitive GSD. Positive reinforcement, redirection, limited choices, removing obstacles that set the child up to fail (child proofing), affection, one on one time...mutual respect. The boy is excelling as a college freshman. He is confident, attentive, knows when to leave it, be quiet, and go get it, he is loyal, obedient, respects authority, and he's everyone's friend (not fearful). So yes, I definitely think the same approach works! Lol! Poor kid, I just described my boy as the perfect dog, doh. Sent from Petguide.com Free App __________________ Jack - male GSD b. 8/9/10 Lillian - female Weimaraner b. ~2005 Mattie - female GSD b. 10/18/02 ... For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack ― Rudyard Kipling

03-20-2013, 07:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
llombardo Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,983	In my case I raised my son then the dogs and they all turned out great. So I think I was a better trainer because of my son...does that make sense? __________________ Misty- Samoyed Mix Tannor- Golden Retriever CGC Robyn- German Shepherd CGC Cats-Thunder, Harley, Miley, Bandit, and Ferah RIP Boo..Black Lab "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

03-20-2013, 07:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
AngelaA6 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington Posts: 391	sorry for straying a little off topic..but i just imagined someone clicker training their toddler haha Anywho, I don't really know, all the people I know that have been trainers are the "forever alone" type x.x'

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