Phasing Out Tools In Training

Thank you Dr. Ian Dunbar for this vlog! In my area there are a lot of trainers who argue against using food as they feel it's a crutch and the dogs won't behave without it. I've often wondered why food is considered a crutch and "leash pops" are not!!! It's very important for any trainer (particularly those using food) to make sure it is phased out so owners don't lose faith in this wonderful training method. This is an important message to get out to the public and to dog trainers.

Jade A. Robertson

Owner & Trainer, Where's Your Sit?

www.wheresyoursit.com

Exactly - and the same goes for the clicker. The clicker is a teaching tool, not even a training tool. Once the behavior is taught, there is no more need for the clicker and it too should be phased out. It's simple really. If the clicker is used to mark the exact moment the dog performs the behavior correctly, once this moment IS identified and the dog IS performing the behavior reliably, there is no reason to continue to use a clicker. The dog's LEARNED it. It's now time to TRAIN the behavior.

Using the clicker can be a great help in teaching the dog what you want. As one of the four methods of teaching in Clicker Training, luring is a great method - just as great as is targeting, shaping or capturing, depending upon which method will be most effective for acheiving which behavior. But too many lure/rewarders and Clicker users unfortunately don't get past chapter one in the hand book and never phase the lure or the clicker out, not even mentioning phasing the food reward out.

Thanks for emphasising this point again about phasing out the lure and the treat and keep the goal in mind:  on-/off-leash cue/performance (whether that cue is vocal, hand signal or whatever).

And I too often wonder (and never get a coherent answer from the owners): if choke collars, prong collars and e-collars are being sold as "training tools", when is the dog trained, so that he/she doesn't need one any longer?

Hi guise!

I believe I have successfully phased out lures and food rewards for the most part, but my dog has become very blasée about obedience now that she's a big girl of 4. I can only get her to comply (say, a simple and rather cheerful "sit") ON THE FIRST TRY IF she really wants something and has to go through me in order to get it. If we stop at the corner she'll just wait around (standing) after the command, she's in no real hurry and what can I do? There are apparently no dire consequences to disobedience... I don't punish her, I say "too bad!" and she knows she's missed out on something rewarding, but it doesn't bother her all that much!

I'm frustrated because I've worked so hard at this, for 2 or 3 years, and now that it looks like obedience training is no fun for my dog anymore, I don't see myself ever being able to keep her out of trouble off-leash. My girl is a major neophile and the most powerful rewards at this point are things that I can't allow, namely: maiming squirrels (I can't finish them off, I just cry like a big baby), biting strange dogs that run up to us, and rolling in poo. It's not that she doesn't hear or listen but she definitely mulls it over every time to consider whether or not it's worth it to do what I ask. She still learns new tricks, although it takes longer because she knows all the easy ones, and doesn't appear to be in any physical pain. What happened?

@musicofnote I am with you all the way. We should use our tools to teach and then phase them out. This applies to all training tools. Once the dog understands what we want him to do, the goal becomes teaching him to WANT to do what we want him to do. I consider this to be a good 90% of training. But even then, this does not mean to say that the dog will always comply. And if he doesn't (@ginginbonbon), saying "too bad", using any other Non Reward Mark, or ignoring non-compliance simply won't do it. There comes a time whe we simply have to insist that the dog complies. No need to hurt or frighten the dog, no need to touch the dog or use any physical means. We simply insist and not give up AND THEN the dog has to repeat the exercise until performed following a single request. Calmly insisting on compliance is hardly rocket science.

Webster's dictionary defines a tool as a handheld device that "aids" in accomplishing a task  Perhaps there is such a variance of thought towards training tools due to a lack of true understanding of the meaning of a "tool." If an auto needs repair, a mechanic will use the required tool to fix it.  Likewise, if a faucet is leaky, a plumber will use the required device to fix the leak.  Once the problem is fixed there is no need for the tool.  There are tests to provide feedback as to whether the auto is truly repaired as well as visible proof that leak is fixed.  Likewise, in dog training regardless of the "training tool" used for the desired result, the tool should be phased out to consider the dog to be effectively trained.  Granted  dogs are not mechanical items, they are glorious creatures with the ability to think, learn and respond. Reliance on any training device regardless of the mechanism is indicative of the level of the dog's training.  Ultimately the lure reward or training device should not be needed on a regular basis and be phased out.  Of course, we all need refreshers from time to time, and we definitely need help in learning how to teach our dogs to be compliant.   Voice command and/or hand signals are effective means of control if taught properly.  It takes a commitment to forming a bond and relationship with the dog that creates a common understanding of the desired communication. This is the true result of effective training.  Calmly insisting on compliance is hardly rocket science.  It truly works.