The Method of Training we use is called Marker Training
The technical term for this method of training is Operant Conditioning. If you have ever heard of "clicker" training, this is essentially the same thing. The difference is that we don't use a clicker, instead we use verbal markers.
This is the same method of training that the professional trainers around the world use. In fact I believe that any animal that can be trained would benefit from marker training techniques. With operant conditioning the dog forms an association between a behavior and a consequence, the consequence being a positive motivator like a food reward or toy.
Marker training, opens a very clear line of communication that the dog understands very well. Once your dog has an understanding of marker training, in your dogs mind, each time you give a mark it will be like taking a snap shot of what your dog at that time. Your dog will remember exactly what they were doing at the moment they heard the mark and received a reward.
You will find that your dog starts to offer behaviors that he knows earned him a mark and reward in the past. Anticipation is a wonderful thing, this means your dog is enjoying working with you and is actively trying to figure our what you are looking for. NEVER correct your dog for anticipating what you are asking. If your dog is not delivering the correct behavior, simply give the “negative marker” (“nope”) and wait for your dog to think through the exercise. This is called shaping the exercise.
At Poochy Smooches we use a combination of Shaping & Luring in order to take a dog through a learning phase of training.
Shaping and luring both require the handler to first establish markers and a reward system with their dog. Dogs are working for a reward and also for the enjoyment of interaction with the handler. These dogs are very active participants of their own free will they enjoy the work and will offer behaviors of their own accord. Dogs that are trained using these methods are happy performers and have wonderful relationships with their handlers. In addition these dogs learn not to fear other humans.
Once you have established your markers and rewards you will have an open line of communication to begin teaching your dog what behaviors you want him to perform. When you Shape a behavior you would wait for your dog to do something that you like and you would mark & reward it. This can take a great deal of patients and time, but it is well worth it in the end.
Shaping is waiting for your dog to think about what it is you are asking for and try to perform it. As your dog makes progress you mark and reward each stage of progress.
Luring is just what it sounds like using a lure (either food or toy reward) to help your dog understand what you want him to do. Luring also includes using physical ques to guide your dog to a target or position. This is very helpful in training but can become addicting. By that I mean that sometimes we can become so dependent on luring to get the job dong that we don't allow our dog to think through an exercise. We rush in to rescue them when it would be much more beneficial to let them think it through. Yes, it takes a little longer but the dog will retain the information longer and learn faster if they solve the problem with out handler interference.
Now, that being said I want to say that I use a mixture of shaping and luring in order to accomplish a behavior. However, it’s best to eventually eliminate the physical ques (luring) so that you are sure your dog understands the verbal que as well. A lot of people tell me that their dog understands the word “sit”, but when I watch them they are inadvertently giving a physical que. When I ask them to stand dead still or to stand with their back to the dog and say “sit” most of the time the dog does nothing. This is because the dog does not really understand the verbal que (the word “sit”), they are simply responding to physical ques given by the handler.
Balanced Training
I believe that in order to cover all of the proverbial bases in dog training we need to maintain an open mind and not set our training in stone. What I mean by that is that so many people develop a training plan and use that plan no matter what dog they are working with. Well dogs are no different than people in that they have different temperaments, drive and energy levels. So thinking that you can train them all the same way will just lead you and them down a path to a lot of frustration.
Take my two dogs for instance, Romi and Drake. Both are German Shepherds, but Romi is a Female, high drive, high energy, dominant and active working dog; Drake is a male, medium drive, low energy, soft temperament, fearful, reactive dog.
So if I were to correct Drake with the same level of intensity that I correct Romi, he would crumble and it would damage my relationship with him. And If I would expect Drake to actively shape exercises like Romi I would be disappointed (Drake waits for me to tell him what to do instead of offering behaviors). They are not the same dog even though they are both dogs and they are both German Shepherds they are very much individuals and should be trained as such.
We as dog owners and handlers need to be aware of what drives our dog, what shuts them down and what is needed to maintain balanced training for them and for us.
Phases of Training
Our training methods include three phases of training; a learning phase, a proofing phase and a maintenance phase.
Learning Phase
The dog is taught the meaning of a command. In this stage of training we would introduce the dog to markers, once this is understood then other behaviors can be taught. This phase of training is done in controlled environments. We don't want to add a lot of distraction until the dog knows and understands the behavior that you are asking him to perform. While in the learning phase the dog is given a lot of lateral in order to work through the exercises with out stress. We don't ever correct a dog for something we are not 100% positive he understands. You will take your dog through a learning phase every single time you teach him a new behavior. It will go a little faster each time because the dog is already accustomed to communicating with you and he now understands how to work with you.
Proofing Phase
This is where we will add distractions to your training. Once your dog is performing an exercise consistently and you know for certain he is on board and understands what you are asking, you can then move to a proofing phase of training. This is the phase of training where we will ask the dog to perform the same exercise but in new locations or on new surfaces or perhaps with other dogs and people around. In this stage of training we will still need to give the dog ample time to understand that he still needs to perform the exercise even with the distraction in place. So we will need to make use of our verbal “negative marker” for this. We will gradually increase the level of distraction to be more and more difficult. Also see “Using Corrections”
Maintenance Phase
This phase of training is just what it sounds like maintenance. So we don't add new things in this phase we simply practice and perfect what is already known to the dog. We use distractions at what ever level the dog is used to working at. Any changes to an exercise would be made in a learning phase.
