The Maison Delassie is one of the only schools in the Quebec City region to use a comprehensive positive reinforcement approach in its obedience classes. The method consists in enthusiastically rewarding all good behaviour and ignoring bad behaviour. The many Canadian titles we have won prove that the method works.
Description of the course:
The class lasts 8 weeks and during this period the dogs learn all the commands and maneuvers required to obtain a Companion Dog title. The class costs $150 and is given on site in St-Isidore. All breeds are welcome between the ages of 4 ½ and 5 months.
What does the method consist of?
We have adapted the "clicker training" to avoid having to use the accessory employed with this technique. "clicker training" is a variation on the whistle used to train dolphins and other animals. As far as the training method goes, it is based essentially on the Skinner conditioning response, whose research stemmed from studies Ivan Pavlov did on conditioning (http://lisced.free.fr/glopsy.htm). These methods are always taught in educational psychology schools.
Specifically, our method consists of using a pleasant stimulus to obtain the desired behaviour. Most dogs respond very well to food. Others will respond to a Frisbee as a form of release for the dog. Once the desired behaviour is learned, and only then, the food can be replaced with a touch or encouraging word. If you want your dog to obey for the sake of your radiant smile, we hope that you have a very radiant smile.
What other ways are there to train a dog?
The "traditional" (and unfortunately the most popular) method is the choker, which is a chain and a slip knot. They sometimes have prongs. When the animal disobeys, he is rewarded with a tug on the choker, which you guessed it chokes him. If the dog listens, he will not be choked.
Some schools also use positive reinforcement in that after 4-5 tugs on the choker, the dog is then praised, "Good Dog", for his good behaviour. In fact, several behavioral studies describe this technique as being NEGATIVE reinforcement.
Comparing the methods
Even if these two methods have the same objectives – sit, down, stay, heel – the choker approach has pitfalls:
• Not all dogs have the temperament to withstand this method. Given the stress caused by a choker, mild tempered tend to try and escape or ignore the situation. Escape is invariably seen as disobedience by the trainer and so is punished with another tug of the choker, which only amplifies the dog's desire to get away.
• Brings out aggressiveness. Many times we have observed very gentle dogs go so far as to "try and save their skin" by biting their handler. We are frequently asked to "recover" dogs that have failed their choker training. Needless to say that when these animals find themselves in a stimulating environment where play is the golden rule the results are guaranteed.
VIDEO (Macromedia Flash player needed) :
Here is a short video showing how fun positive reinforcement might be. Watch closely the fun and the tale wagging of these two dogs bringing the groceries inside the house. (Watch the reinforcement - cookie).
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You can also download the video (5 mo) or play it with Window Media Player by PRESSING HERE!
