Ever heard of this training group?

[mw7]

Has anyone out there ever heard anything about or used a trainer from Canine Dimensions (www.CanineDimensions.com)? It appears to be a large training franchise. I'm speaking to a trainer with this group and they appear to have several qualifications and know a good bit about dog behavior and training in general, so I'm not getting any red-flags. The price is a bit on the high side, but they come to you, and in my case, it is about a 1.5 hour drive to my house.

[AgileGSD]

They are extremely vague on their website about what methods they use, other than saying they use no shock collars, no clickers and use a balanced method that is humane and "natural". Have they given you any more information on their methods?

[wildo]

I've never heard someone say that they don't use clickers- in a context that makes clickers sound like a bad thing:

We use humane, natural, dog training methods - no shock collars, no clickers.

I wonder what their take on positive reinforcement training is...

[Cassidy's Mom]

Maybe just praise?

[wildo]

Their "Our Methods" page indicates:

Old school methodology focuses only on dominance. New school methodology focuses only on rewards. Today, as the battle between old and new rages on within the dog training world, Canine Dimensions certified dog trainers – now with locations in 10 states - use the modern science of cynopraxic dog training in a unique, holistic, proprietary dog training system which consistently produces spectacular results for their clients.

Cynopraxic methods. I have never heard of that and googled around. Didn't find a ton, but did find a youtube video with this description:

The skilled behavior consultant will embrace not only scientific knowledge but will have sufficient education in dog behavior consulting as exemplified by cynopraxic modalities. The cynopraxic trainer-consultant will not only acknowledge the necessity of play, esthetic appreciation, emotional empathy, compassion and ethical restraint but will characterize qualities that mediate connectedness, facilitate the bonding process, support behavioral healing, composure, sincerity of purpose, presence and a certain amount of playfulness (Lindsay, 2001).

In conclusion, "the ability to train dogs is an art that depends on a trainer's ability to play and a dog's ability to play in turn...where there is no play, there is no relationship or meaning." Play facilitates "portals of affection and trust" and "humane dog training is playing with a purpose" and as "Heine Hediger (1955/1968) said, 'Good training is disciplined play' Lindsay (2001).

[Castlemaid]

Ummmm . . . so, WHAT is their method? Fancy language that covers up what they really do, I think, just to make themselves sound more 'scientific'.

[mw7]

The trainer I spoke to said they use no negative reinforcement. They believe in positive reinforcement with small treats and then using the idea of slowly removing the treats over time once the behavior is learned. As my issues stem from reactivity and some aggression, they were happy to hear that I had already institute the NILF policy too, so it largely sounds like they use a lot of the conventional positive reinforcement methods discussed here and elsewhere. Clickers were not discussed, so I can't speak to why they are not used.

[wildo]

Originally Posted by mw7

The trainer I spoke to said they use no negative reinforcement.

This is a good thing, but just like in dog training: constantly telling something "no" is not as useful as constantly telling something "yes." In other words, it's good they don't use this type of reinforcement, but that still doesn't tell you what they do use. Negative reinforcement is the ultimate in "old school" training approaches where a negative stimulus (ear pinch) is applied until the acceptable behavior happens (retrieve).

Originally Posted by mw7

They believe in positive reinforcement with small treats and then using the idea of slowly removing the treats over time once the behavior is learned. As my issues stem from reactivity and some aggression, they were happy to hear that I had already institute the NILF policy too, so it largely sounds like they use a lot of the conventional positive reinforcement methods discussed here and elsewhere. Clickers were not discussed, so I can't speak to why they are not used.

I would still be curious what they do when the dog needs correction. Positive reinforcement (+R) training still needs to be balanced with a way to apply a correction to the dog.

+R training is balanced with negative punishment (removing the stimulus [timeout in crate] to decrease an undesirable behavior), which is not the same as positive punishment (inflicting a stimulus [collar correction] to decrease an undesired behavior).

[Cassidy's Mom]

The whole idea of a "proprietary system" of training bothers me. I'd want to know what I was signing up for or I'm not signing up! Plus, there's nothing the slightest bit proprietary or unique about this:

Originally Posted by mw7

They believe in positive reinforcement with small treats and then using the idea of slowly removing the treats over time once the behavior is learned.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

Ummmm . . . so, WHAT is their method? Fancy language that covers up what they really do, I think, just to make themselves sound more 'scientific'.

Exactly!