[Angel_baby]

Before I started using positive reinforcement I had thought my dogs just weren't the brightest bulbs in the world, they would listen to my commands well but only certain ones whereas now they are learning a variety of different things. They love learning and respond as soon as they see the clicker. They want to work. Now I've heard this argument before and I've involved myself before as well but I have to admit at the time I was at the other end of the rope using Negative reinforcement when it came to behaviors I didn't want instead of rewarding those I wanted. I had my dogs a nervous wreck but they listened..only to certain commands however.

In most of these debates there were others as well who thought their dogs weren't very brilliant because no matter how hard they tried they couldn't get their dogs to listen to them. Sadly though dogs are very brilliant, they learn fast and are eager to learn if you do it right. No, dogs don't think like a human but I'm sure given the chance a dog could certainly do some mind blowing things. I don't underestimate the power of dogs any longer. I refuse to. You just never know what a dog can show you that's new and exciting. I learn things from my dogs as much as I do myself and it is truely amazing to see even dogs who were beaten into fearing their owners turn into such a brilliant and eager animal.