YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Training Questions and "The Dog Listener"

FirstYorkie · 07-01-2006, 12:24 PM

Hi LolaBella,

First, as far as puppy classes, I am a big advocate of them. My opinion is that as soon as your pup is fully vaccinated - GO! Until her shots have kicked in, though, I wouldn't worry about it. One of the biggest advantages of attending classes is the socialization and your little girl won't get that with private lessons.

"The Dog Listener" - yes, I've read it. She's different than Cesar Milan ("The Dog Whisperer"), but alot of what she says is the same. She's a big believer in asserting your higher social rank. I don't really believe that's necessary nor do I believe that she can solve all problems as easily as she'd like us to believe. I also don't believe that dogs lay awake at night planning how to usurp our authority. I don't think that rank is as important to them as we humans like to think. Most of the researchers who first proposed the theory have since changed their minds, saying that wolf behavior in the wild cannot predict the behavior of domesticated dogs.

That said, though, most of what she suggests is fairly benign. If you want to try it, I don't think any harm will be done.

What I personally believe in, heart and soul, is rewarding the behavior that you want (behavior that is reinforced will increase in frequency) and finding alternate, incompatible behaviors to replace undesirable behavior. I believe in positive training. One way of achieving this is through the use of a clicker. Here is an absolutely wonderful website that can tell you more:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm

07-01-2006, 12:24 PM	#4
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Hi LolaBella, First, as far as puppy classes, I am a big advocate of them. My opinion is that as soon as your pup is fully vaccinated - GO! Until her shots have kicked in, though, I wouldn't worry about it. One of the biggest advantages of attending classes is the socialization and your little girl won't get that with private lessons. "The Dog Listener" - yes, I've read it. She's different than Cesar Milan ("The Dog Whisperer"), but alot of what she says is the same. She's a big believer in asserting your higher social rank. I don't really believe that's necessary nor do I believe that she can solve all problems as easily as she'd like us to believe. I also don't believe that dogs lay awake at night planning how to usurp our authority. I don't think that rank is as important to them as we humans like to think. Most of the researchers who first proposed the theory have since changed their minds, saying that wolf behavior in the wild cannot predict the behavior of domesticated dogs. That said, though, most of what she suggests is fairly benign. If you want to try it, I don't think any harm will be done. What I personally believe in, heart and soul, is rewarding the behavior that you want (behavior that is reinforced will increase in frequency) and finding alternate, incompatible behaviors to replace undesirable behavior. I believe in positive training. One way of achieving this is through the use of a clicker. Here is an absolutely wonderful website that can tell you more: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!