Positive Only Training - Why Science Fails at Training Dogs
by The K9 Guy, 11-07-14While I've written many articles regarding problems with "positive only dog training", today I'd like to share a fellow trainer's post. Gary Wilkes' "What is Real Clicker Training" article discusses (in great detail) the realities of teaching methods that lack any consequences. If you found this post, or are a regular reader on my site, I sincerely hope you can take 15 mins and read this excellent article located at http://clickandtreat.com/wordpress/?p=884
Many owners hear that "positive only" training has been scientifically validated. That behavioral scientists and their advocates can teach any dog to do any task reliably, using only praise and positive reinforcement. Gary points out the huge divide owners will see between (flawed) scientific theory, and practical application (reality) of training methods. While "positive only" is a great marketing strategy, its track record for reliable, real-world performance has been a consistent failure. Gary even notes that Karen Pryor, one of the movement's founding 'experts' (and someone who has built an international dog training empire), has never "trained a dog to any standard".
To owners seeking trainers, researching methods, or trying to sort through all of the information they will read online, Gary's article should be at the top of your reading list. If you read it, think about it, and understand it, you will truly know how to help your dog be it's best.
The simple truth is this - dogs need good information and feedback to learn reliable behaviors and obedience. Feedback providing no consequences is incomplete, as is information that includes no rewards. A balance of both is needed. An effective trainer understands this reality, and will be pragmatic vs theoretical.