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If you don't want to read the whole thing, here is my ultimate question:
--Has anyone titled a dog in obedience using positive only or positive mixed with mild corrective methods?--
This is most likely a silly question, and could belong in the training forum, but it specifically pertains to obedience.
I had my puppy (nearly 8 months) in a beginners advanced obedience class that focuses on fine tuning behaviors for the ring.
I am trying to train using positive mixed with mild correction (verbal and mild equipment corrections).
Long story short, I didn't like the instructor correcting other peoples dogs, and I was concerned that she might correct my boy even though I had said that I am the only one to correct him. She made a 4 month old lab puppy yelp multiple times on a prong! That was enough for me to un-enroll and lose my money if it comes to it.
Anyway, she had said her methods are positive, but there needs to be a balance between positive and negative (in the form of a prong snap). She said that my training methods won't work for this advanced level of obedience.
Am I living in a dream world? Is it possible to title my pup using positive training and some mild correction?
I believe my dog learns well this way, and if the instructor were to give him the types of corrections she gives to other dogs, I think it would break everything I have been working for. I have worked really hard to show him that people are good, and that others won't hurt him, and if he were to be corrected by someone other than myself, I don't know what would happen.
Last thing, I don't know if this is a valid excuse, but the obedience class is right after work, so I get home and jump in the car with him (normally we jump in the car to go run and play, or go to agility). So you can imagine how excited he is to see other dogs and play with them.
He exhibits nice control when we are heeling behind and by other dogs, but everything falls apart when he watches the recalls. Keep in mind this was the first class, so it was super exciting, but every time a dog would run past, he would jump up and start barking wanting to play. Should an 8 month old puppy be able to exhibit control no matter how much pent up energy he has?
Thanks!
--Has anyone titled a dog in obedience using positive only or positive mixed with mild corrective methods?--
This is most likely a silly question, and could belong in the training forum, but it specifically pertains to obedience.
I had my puppy (nearly 8 months) in a beginners advanced obedience class that focuses on fine tuning behaviors for the ring.
I am trying to train using positive mixed with mild correction (verbal and mild equipment corrections).
Long story short, I didn't like the instructor correcting other peoples dogs, and I was concerned that she might correct my boy even though I had said that I am the only one to correct him. She made a 4 month old lab puppy yelp multiple times on a prong! That was enough for me to un-enroll and lose my money if it comes to it.
Anyway, she had said her methods are positive, but there needs to be a balance between positive and negative (in the form of a prong snap). She said that my training methods won't work for this advanced level of obedience.
Am I living in a dream world? Is it possible to title my pup using positive training and some mild correction?
I believe my dog learns well this way, and if the instructor were to give him the types of corrections she gives to other dogs, I think it would break everything I have been working for. I have worked really hard to show him that people are good, and that others won't hurt him, and if he were to be corrected by someone other than myself, I don't know what would happen.
Last thing, I don't know if this is a valid excuse, but the obedience class is right after work, so I get home and jump in the car with him (normally we jump in the car to go run and play, or go to agility). So you can imagine how excited he is to see other dogs and play with them.
He exhibits nice control when we are heeling behind and by other dogs, but everything falls apart when he watches the recalls. Keep in mind this was the first class, so it was super exciting, but every time a dog would run past, he would jump up and start barking wanting to play. Should an 8 month old puppy be able to exhibit control no matter how much pent up energy he has?
Thanks!