Positive reinforcement used on Dog Whisperer

[c0_re]

Lets try to keep the Cesar bashing to a minimum and keep things civil



Anyone else see the 11\13 episode where he brought an outside trainer in to help the fire department Dalmatian. He was most definitely a positive reinforcement only trainer he's a famous Hollywood animal trainer. It seemed like this 2 pronged approach was VERY effective for this particular dog.

This seasons episodes not only a considerably better than previous seasons but seem to have even more "disclaimer" and "what best works for your dog" messages.

[KennelMom]

Personally, I think an all-reinforcement or all-punishment/correction training schedule is a mistake for most dogs. I think a combination of both, depending on what you are trying to accomplish is appropriate.

(but to answer your question, no I didn't see that episode) I've seen Cesar use positive reinforcement before, though.

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by KennelMom

Personally, I think an all-reinforcement or all-punishment/correction training schedule is a mistake for most dogs. I think a combination of both, depending on what you are trying to accomplish is appropriate.

(but to answer your question, no I didn't see that episode) I've seen Cesar use positive reinforcement before, though.

REALLY? This guy was full blown treat and clicker man and Cesar fully endorsed him (obvoiusly or else he wouldhave been on the show) and he was quite effective.

[rottielover]

sorry, never seen that one

[KennelMom]

REALLY? This guy was full blown treat and clicker man and Cesar fully endorsed him (obvoiusly or else he wouldhave been on the show) and he was quite effective.

Yes, really. I've done my fair share of doggy observation and living with dogs - plus lots of reading and research about other people's observations and experience. Dogs understand both methods - and use them with other dogs AND people - and depending on the dog and the behavior you are trying to train/extinguish different reinforcement or punishment schedules my apply. It also depends on the dog's temperament.

Punishment (positive or negative) can be really hard to do right, which is why I think most trainers shy away from it. It's a lot harder to mess up a strictly positive reinforcement schedule.

[calgal]

I have dish, and lately they have taken the dog whisperer and Montel away from me and I'm having withdrawal symptoms and am canceling dish today in fact. It was never all that good anyway. They give you lots of channels, but 99.9% are garbage anyway. Just not worth the price.

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by KennelMom

Yes, really. I've done my fair share of doggy observation and living with dogs - plus lots of reading and research about other people's observations and experience. Dogs understand both methods - and use them with other dogs AND people - and depending on the dog and the behavior you are trying to train/extinguish different reinforcement or punishment schedules my apply. It also depends on the dog's temperament.

Punishment (positive or negative) can be really hard to do right, which is why I think most trainers shy away from it. It's a lot harder to mess up a strictly positive reinforcement schedule.

sorry when I said REALLY I meant you've seen positive re-enforcment on DW. Yea IMO your 110% absolutly right about the 2 pronged approach method.

[KennelMom]

sorry when I said REALLY I meant you've seen positive re-enforcment on DW. Yea IMO your 110% absolutly right about the 2 pronged approach method.

Oh hehehe....yeah...I've seen him use positive reinforcement - just not a clickers. Along the lines of verbal and physical praise.

[Sugardog]

I was pleased to see him finally endorse clicker training in one of his episodes.

Punishment is a much broader term than you would believe. There's positive and negative punishment. Positive punishment is what cesar uses, it's a negative input presented in response to a behavior. Negative punishment is what positive reinforcement use occasionally, it's when a positive input is withdrawn or taken away. Putting kids on time out and grounding children is a negative punishment. Getting up and leaving when a puppy nips is negative punishment.

And yes, your right, positive reinforcement is much easier to fix than negative punishment. Negative punishment can cause emotional damage to a dog depending on the dog, circumstances, and degree of harshness. Or if not emotional damage, it can certainly cause a dog to be more distant from you than if you used all positive reinforement. If there are other means of fixing a behavior problem that work just as well, if not better, then there's no need to even bother risking the effects of negative punishment. This is why trainers don't use negative punishment, and this is coming from an all positive reinforcement trainer.

I don't believe there's any need for positive punishment in casual dog training or fixing common behavior problems. It can all be done with positive reinforcement techniques including redirection. I will occasionally use Cesar's "bite" technique, but not as forcefully nor as a positive punnishment. I use it to get a dogs attention if he's overly excited or displaying a pray drive. It's like a couple rowdly children playing, sometimes you must gently grab them by the upper arm or shoulder to get their attention and get them to listen.

[c0_re]

Thanks Sugardog great post, nice to have a little insight.

[GoldenPup]

Do you happen to know who it was?