Positive reinforcement really gets better results, a friendlier dog and a happier dog.
We only have three commands when I am not kidding.
Heal!
Sit!
No Barking! (had to teach them how to bark first and then how to stop) Okay you did your job, you alerted us and if it doesn't stop, whoosh! No Barking! good boy or good girl
They run out the door after a squirrel, doing their natural job in life? No problem, Heal! or Sit!, Sit! Sit! - I find it saves the little babies lives and reinforce with good boy or good girl. that way they always respond to my command as nonnegotiable.
The other 40 some odd tricks they do pretty well but they are more for fun and relationship building and strengthening. Also gives them more confidence.
But always, smile and say “good boy or good girl”
Not preaching at you. This is for others. Oh and yes it is harder work to do it my way and takes longer but you and your dog will be better for it.
Post on!
I have trained dogs for about 20 years, I do understand what works and what doesn’t. I have noticed that the trendy thing right now is positive only training, and it gets a lot of talk on my dog lists. I personally think there are times there need to be consequences, but I don’t really care how someone else trains, whatever works for them. I am just happy when people have a dog trained well enough for their own purposes. I will say that I have also noticed a trend toward dogs who are *obedience trained* but they are little monsters at home, doing things like counter surfing, etc. But, if their owners can live with it, it’s ok with me. :)