Schutzhund Clicker Training | High Drive Puppy Foundation

Building a Solid Working Foundation Through

The Natural Instincts of the Dog

Dog Training Page - Promoting the fair training of sport and working dogs

Four Basic Principles: Motivate - Clearly define the task - Give feed back - Train repeatedly

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Dog training - luring - imprinting - Menlo Park Schutzhund Club training with Michele Hansen

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Clicker Training

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Balanced Dog Training

Why Compulsion Training

Compulsion Defined

Building Drive

Training with Rewards

Training by Leadership

Living with a High Drive Dog

Dog Training Books

Dog Training Foreword

Our dog training page was developed to share the methods we currently use for training dogs in the sport of Schutzhund and for living with the high drive working dog. Our hopes are that this site will bring greater awareness about how to develop a strong working desire in the performance dog and to also be a helpful training guide for anyone looking to improve their dog handling skills through fair training methods.

Over the years, we have learned, a solid working foundation will be the result of balanced training methods that include well defined rules and clear feedback. Our intention is to help visitors understand how dynamic dog training really is. General training concepts, recommended dog training books (references) as well as dog training videos are available through out the site.

Although this is not a step by step, online dog training course, we do want to provide the following insight; dog training requires the same basic principals humans use to achieve skilled abilities (see chart below). They are as follows: Motivate to perform the task, clearly define the task, give feed back and train repeatedly. The best training results are accomplished when we focus on our "relationship" with the dog; i.e., what is best for the dog. Trial readiness and desired scores will be the result of learning what the dog truly needs and dedicated training.

Dog Training Chart

Basic Principals	Positive Methods	Negative Methods
Motivate to perform the task	Positive Reinforcement Reward based training	Negative Reinforcement Compulsion & Force Training
Clearly define the task To vague of instruction for the dog is the underlying issue of most training problems	Make things simple - Divide individual tasks into multiple easy to learn steps. Rather than having your goal be to train a complete and finished task, challenge yourself; think of ways to divide one exercise into 2, 4, 6 or even 8 simple tasks. Lure/entice the dog through each step of the task.This step should be eliminated as soon as possible, otherwise the dog will become dependent on the trainer's body gesture rather than learn to listen and obey human commands. We primarily use this for puppies or very young dogs. Shape Behaviors by only rewarding offered behaviors that lead to completing each step of a task. Limit the amount of behaviors the dog can offer, during a session, by limiting the dog's freedom. Keeping the dog on a short leash helps. Also, do not react, in any way, to behaviors that you don't like or don't wish the dog to perform. Unwanted behaviors tend to extinguish when they are ignored. Allow the dog to observe either a human or a dog performing the task.	Physically force the dog through a task by applying constant corrections and, or punish incorrect behaviors through collar corrections Through continuous sessions the dog learns a trained pattern by escaping uncomfortable or painful corrections. The desired task becomes an imprint, but is never clearly defined. Although dogs that are continuously trained through compulsion, may perform well during unchanged working trials, important problem solving skills do not fully develop through physical force training. Current studies show that a higher level of reliability will develop in dogs that are required to work in unfamiliar or stressful situations, if they are allowed to develop important problem solving skills through positive reinforcement training methods. Through specifically designed training challenges that do not require physical force or compulsion, the dog will usually require more time and practice to learn commanded tasks. However, this same dog will most likely require less maintenance training in the future and develop greater reliability for the sport and working tasks!
Give feed back A dog's behavior is consistent when his trainer's behavior is consistent	Define rules by using consistent verbal praise and reward cues Use verbal praise, such as; "good dog" to help the dog understand, he is on the correct path to getting his reward. Use cues, such as; a clicker device or verbal "Yes", before rewarding the dog. Clear communication will help the dog understand exactly which behavior earned the verbal praise or reward.	Define rules by using consistent verbal warnings and punishment cues Give the dog a chance - use a subtle verbal warning; such as, "nope" to help the dog understand, he is not being correct and must change his behavior. If a correction is necessary, always use a verbal cue; such as, "phooey" before punishing the dog. (see book Advanced Schutzhund) Clear communication helps the dog understand exactly which behavior was performed incorrectly and why he received a warning or a correction.
Train repeatedly Always ask yourself - Am I using the right motivation for this dog? - Am I clearly defining the task? - Am I giving the dog consistent feed back?	Practice with determination - Ability improves with practice! always start a training program using Positive Reinforcement - only add corrections (if necessary) once the dog understands the task and knows how to perform the task; but, sometimes requires a reminder to stay on task. Give the dog opportunities to solve challenges through training tasks based on ability and training level. When training in new and unfamiliar environments, training tasks should be easier for the dog. Go back to basics before attempting to proof the dog.	All corrections should be removed when introducing the dog to new situations and distractions - reintroduce corrections (if necessary) after the dog becomes familiar with the new environment. Repeatedly training through compulsion and force may create a dog that does exactly as the handler wants. If the dog is expected to understand what the correction is for, the handler's intensity of the correction and delivery of the correction must be timed exactly right. CAUTION: When compulsion is used repeatedly, it is a likely indication, the dog is not clear on the task. In addition, it is common for the dog to develop artificial and unintended behaviors through the continuous use of compulsion ; i.e., cowardness, hardness or even a tendency to retaliate (fight the training).

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