Rosemary's Training Methods
I use positive reinforcement. While it can be argued that punishment can be effective in dog training, it should not be the basis for your training.
I have used a variety of training methods over the years teaching everything from simple obedience to complex behaviors and have found that positive reinforcement, Clicker Training specifically, is truly the most effective and long lasting.
The majority of my work has always been with families and I have seen over the years that my clients are relieved when I say to throw away the choke chains that they previously used.
MY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DOG TRAINING:
How long does it take to train a dog? Success in training is dependent on how much time the owner devotes to working with the dog. Short daily training sessions are required. Most beginning behaviors, such as sit, down and come are taught in a very short time but all exercises require repetition for several weeks in a variety of places to become well trained.
Are owners required to train with their dog? All dog training should include the owner. Training a dog requires communication between a human and a canine and this communication has to continue long after the trainer is gone.
For dogs who hate other dogs — Can this be cured? It can certainly be made better. Whether it can be cured cannot be answered with a simple statement. Some dogs because of genetics or lack of socialization as a young puppy may never want or need to interact with other dogs. However, that does not mean that you cannot learn to walk your dog without fear of running into another dog.
Will the trained dog obey everyone or just the dog's owner? When your dog is fully trained it should not be dependent on the person giving the signal (command). Early in training dogs learn behaviors and their signals in certain contexts and as long as they are in the same place and the same person gives them the same signal they will respond appropriately. Since dogs do not generalize well, behaviors must be practiced in different places and other family members need to join in the training.
Can you train dogs that live in a multiple-dog home? Since the majority of my work with clients is done in the home. I encourage them to work with their other dogs. As a rule when I am called it is about a particular problem dog but all dogs in the household need to have some degree of training. It is after all, a family affair.
Rosemary’s Recipe for a Service Dog Partnership
Ingredients: 1 Clicker, 1 Student, 1 Dog, 1 ton (approximately) of frankfurters (cut into tiny bits), Classes, Homework, Field trips, Panicky phone calls (usually from Student, rarely from Dog)
Directions: Combine first two ingredients in such a way that Clicker can not be removed—ever—without permanent damage to Student.
Add Dog—this step is tricky. Handle Dog with tender, loving care at all times; pound Student as required to remove unsound components of whining, sniveling and complaining.
Combine with all other ingredients, season liberally with humor and endless cups of coffee, and stir for 1-2 years, or until the mixture sets into a creditable partnership. It’s always a surprise, but somehow, it happens.
