What is punishment?

[BarbV]

SheltieChie

It took me 3 reads of your original post to realize that you were simply sending back to the forum what you'd learned from some training that you've been doing.

When I first read it though, it sounded like you were launching some kind of dog-training seminar on the forum. I was instantly on the alert.

Maybe I'm the only one who read it incorrectly but when you started with "My next seminar is about punishments", it really did souund to me like your own training program. Some of us may not be aware that you are working through a program and sharing your learnings. I certainly wasn't.

Maybe some clarification is in order here?
Cheers!

 

[Diana]

A loud, stern noise is enough to make Buffy stop what she is doing and take notice. I do an "AH AH" kind of like what Victoria Stillwell does on TV. If Buffy is trying to drink nasty water or eat something on the street I yell some variation of "EW YUCK PUT IT DOWN NOW." Yes, I know that commands are supposed to be simple, but it does work.

 

[Diana]

--When I am walking the dogs I expect them to walk with a (somewhat) loose leash for the majority of the walk. I do allow them to sniff, etc...some, though. If they start to pull excessively, I pull on the leash quickly (not hard, or long) but I guess it's considered a pop to get them to remember where they walk.

If Buffy starts pulling then I start walking in the other direction. So she doesn't get where she wants to go. Most of the time she just doesn't get a treat or a response. For example, no response to attention-getting behavior like jumping up or barking. I just become really boring, cross my arms, and turn away until she is ready to work. If she's freaking out about something like the train I just keep walking and ignore it, so she has to deal with it. If she's running around the agility arena she doesn't get to play and the lesson is over. If she's sniffing without my permission she doesn't get to, and I reward loose leash walking with sniffing. It's all about opposition.

My husband's a teacher and in teaching I think they call it "natural consequences." (Might have the lingo wrong there.) Like if a kid is late they don't get to participate in an exciting activity. If they don't listen then they don't get to participate, or they have to deal with the consequences of listening incorrectly (i.e. cleaning up the mess). If they push other kids at recess they don't get recess. If they touch a stove them they get burned. With dogs you have to do harsher "punishments" if something is really life-threatening or dangerous. But if she doesn't do a trick right? No, I don't think so. No punishments for that. The people here believe in positive reinforcement because it works for 99% of Shelties. That's the great thing about this breed. To me it's like driving a sportscar instead of a Humvee. Shelties respond really well-- almost too well, sometimes.