SPECTRUM'S TRAINING STYLE
Part of providing the training I do includes giving owners the mental and physical tools needed in order to make informed decisions about the tools they use on their dogs. This means addressing negative stigmas around aversive tools and undoing the damage that scary language does.
WHAT IS BALANCED TRAINING?
Balanced training means including all four quadrants of operant conditioning in the training process. These four quadrants are as follows: Positive reinforcement (R+), Negative reinforcement (R-), Positive punishment (P+), and Negative punishment (P-).
To make understanding these four quadrants easier, think of punishment (P) as reducing a behavior, reinforcement (R) as increasing a behavior, positive (+) as adding a stimulus, and negative (-) as taking a stimulus away.
Punishment often has a negative connotation to it, but in the aspects of the four quadrants applied responsibly, punishment can be just as valuable as reinforcement. In the same aspect, improperly applied reinforcement can be just as damaging as improperly applied punishment.
An example of positive reinforcement would be using a clicker (+) to mark a desired behavior (R). Repeating this pattern makes it highly likely for the dog to repeat the behavior again in the future.
An example of positive punishment would be using a pinch collar (+) to give a gentle correction to a dog with poor leash manners in order to reduce (P) the amount of pulling.
An example of negative reinforcement can be applied using the same example as the pinch collar being used on a pulling dog. The lack of pressure on the collar (-) increases the desired behavior (R), which would be walking politely with the handler.
Finally, an example of negative punishment would be turning your back away (-) from your dog every time they jump on you. If something good is taken away (your attention) every time he jumps, the likelihood of him jumping will decrease (P) over time.
There are healthy ways of applying all four quadrants to your training journey. Most dogs I've worked with only need R+ P-, but I do not limit myself to two of the four quadrants. Some dogs may need aversive methods in order to apply ALL four quadrants. Introducing aversive tools could quite literally be life saving for some dogs. The German Shepherd pictured above is my boy, Boris, who has overcome severe dog aggression and has regained his own independence with the help of appropriately applied aversive tools in a balanced training regiment.
TOOLS YOU WILL SEE
The following tools are what you will find most commonly used at Spectrum Dog Training. You will notice some "popular" tools are not listed here, and that is for good reason. Head collars and front clip harnesses will not be used nor recommended by me as they can easily cause long-term physical affects on the shoulders (front clip harness), neck, and nerve endings in the nose (head collar), and are far too easy to misuse.
SLIP CHAIN
This tool is a great in-between for a dog who is too sensitive for a pinch collar but still needs some firm correction. One thing to remember with slip chains is that they should not be used with a heavy hand. A heavy hand (with any tool, really) can cause a lot of damage and undo work that has been put in to the dog. Slips are great for quick corrections to remind the dog to come back in to focus. One thing to remember when using a slip chain is that sizing is important. I prefer to go for the thinnest chain possible while still fitting over the dog's head. When purchasing a slip chain, focus less on the diameter of the dog's neck and more on the diameter of the widest point on your dog's head. The collar should slide over your dog's head somewhat snugly. Not too tight, and not too loose.
PINCH COLLAR
Also known as a prong collar, the pinch collar gets its name, not from how it is applied to the dog, but how it is taken apart. When taking apart a Herm Sprenger pinch collar, you need to pinch the links in order to unhook them. Pinch collars work by applying evenly distributed pressure along the neck, not by pinching, stabbing, or inflicting pain. With any tool, if you are inflicting pain, the tool is being used incorrectly. I HIGHLY recommend a 2.25mm HS prong collar regardless of the size or breed of the dog. Extra links can be purchased in order to fit the diameter of the dog's neck.
E-COLLAR
Let's stop using the word "shock" collar. A well-made e-collar does not emit a shock, but works more closely to a TENS unit. If you've ever been to physical therapy or a chiropractor, you're likely familiar with the sensation of a TENS unit. It is not painful, does not burn the skin, and does not cause pain when used correctly. Correct use is essential for any tool you use. When using an e-collar, I always advise that my clients work at the lowest setting in which the dog responds to the sensation. This low level is not painful and should not cause anything more than an ear twitch. The collar I am most familiar with and HIGHLY recommend is the E-collar Technologies Mini Educator ET-300, or Pro Educator PE-903 for a household of 3 dogs.
CLICKER
This is a tool you have definitely seen before! Surprisingly, in my experience, the clicker is the most commonly misused tool. The clicker is a vital tool in order to build a solid foundation for behaviors we want to encourage and build upon. While vocal markers can be used, a clicker emits a consistent sound and does not vary in pitch and volume. The clicker acts as a marker or a bridge to communicate that a behavior that was done was desired and should be repeated. One important aspect to remember when clicker training is that the value of the clicker is incredibly important in order to see results. If you do not follow up with a reward after you click, your clicker loses its value and will come off as "not working."