Dog Training

[His masters voice]

Bridge and Target appears to be the new and upcoming method in dog training. I was just wondering if anyone has tried it, and how it compares to the more traditional methos of clicker and/or treat training.

[metalmorphosis]

Do you have any more information? Never heard of it I'm afraid!

[GSD]

Just briefly read some of it, so no I haven't used it at all, but my 2cents, it isn't any different than anything that's been around for a while. They put some fancy words to it, and appeal to human emotions to make it sound superior ie "its not operant conditioning its operant communication", makes me kind of wary. I'm relatively knew to this, been reading books that have been around for a while, and listening to trainers that have been around quite a while, and have been using techniques similiar to these, although, i've never heard it called the "bridge and Target" technique.

[Carrie]

You may be using this technique and not even realize it. I know I do in some situations. I let the animal know and focus on an intermediate goal before looking toward the final goal to let him know he's on the right track. This helps him see the bigger picture of where he's going, not just looking toward an end.

[GSD]

I do use intermediate praise to let them know they're getting close the final reward, i've just never heard it called bridge and target before, maybe I shouldn't have said I don't use it at all, I didn't realize I said that till now.

[Carrie]

Here....it's expained much better than I could:


http://www.psyeta.org/hia/vol8/cover.html

[doberkim]

in my experienecs, thingsl ike this (i believe this is the ivan B method as wlel) - are just like clicker training without the clicker. its taking principles of clicker training (of which most people who clicker dont actuallyunderstand), and giving them names and making them known.