Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist?

Does balanced dog training really exist? Being a balanced trainer is part of my background in dog training. In many discussions about dog training methods, you will frequently hear about the four quadrants, so I’m going over what those quadrants are and how our experiences can tip the balance. We’re covering the science of operant conditioning and how dogs actively learn.

In the episode you'll hear:
• How I started to learn about dog training from a book called “How to Raise and Train a Chow Chow”.
• About the four quadrants and the meaning of +R, +P, -P and -R.
• An explanation of the terms Positive Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment and Negative Reinforcement.
• The importance of understanding that punishment suppresses behavior.
• How the key with positive reinforcement is that only the dog knows what is reinforcing.
• Examples of using the four quadrants in dog training, and how we really want to optimize positive reinforcement.
• The reason why no dog trainer is truly balanced.
• The decision I made in 1993 only to use positive reinforcement and what I learned.
• How our core values, education, curiosity, mentorship, and peer group impact our dog training.
• About what pressure and frustration can do to our dog training decisions.
• The most valuable lesson I learned from Feature when she was a puppy, and when I realized I’d come the full circle in my dog training.

Resources:
1. Podcast Episode 94: How the Best Professional Dog Trainers Use Reinforcement -    • How the Best Professional Dog Trainer...  
2. Podcast Episode 88: Barrier Frustration: Help for Fence Fighting, Leash Reactivity and Window Guarding    • Barrier Frustration: Help for Fence F...  
3. Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? -    • Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Nee...  
4. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett Riffs on Transfer of Value in Dog Training (and water loving Labradors) -    • Transfer of Value in Dog Training Exa...  
5. Podcast Episode 40: Using A Head Halter On A Dog, Why My Approach Is So Different -    • Using A Head Halter On A Dog, Why My ...  
6. Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing -    • The Thing Before Your Dog's Thing #16  
7. YouTube Playlist: Crate Games and Crate Training for Puppies and Dogs with Susan Garrett -    • Crate Games and Crate Training for Pu...  
8. Book: Shaping Success by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-...
9. TikTok presentation with Sara Richter, CDBC on the 4 Quadrants - https://www.tiktok.com/@sara.richter....
10. Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training -    • The Power of Permission in Dog Traini...  
11. Podcast Episode 102: Transitioning Your Dog Training: From All That Is Wrong To That Which Is Right -    • Transitioning Your Dog Training: From...  

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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.

Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.

A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.

Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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