It's tricky, because it's hard to think of positive and negative in the terms they are meant here. We often think of them as meaning "good" and "bad". What you need to do is remember: +ve = something added and -ve = something taken away. Punishment is something that causes behaviour to decrease (less likely to happen in future). Reinforcement is something that causes behvaiour to INCREASE (MORE likely to happen in future). R+ (positive reinforcement) Something added to

Dyan, I have a young child and I know I would have misgivings about coming to your house with him - and I am a dog lover! Purely because you have a loving, goofy, someteime-silly puppy in a giant body, and that with that combination, accidents can happen SO easily. So I can imagine how a non-dog lover would feel about coming to your house with a vulnerable baby under the circumstances. That doesn't mean I agree with her attitude, only that I can sort of understand it. I think all dogs should

The fact that your niece loves the dog is a start. I think you would do better sitting down and explaining to her that no matter HOW much she loves him, if he is not trained, not exercised and if he doesn't learn some boundaries he will simply be dangerous and he could end up having to be re-homed or euthanased. Explain that she doesn't have to be "mean" to him to train him, (in fact that woud be the worst way to go about it), and that to NOT train him is far more unkind, because

[quote user="spiritdogs"]However, I do not think that it is correct to interpret an aversive as a marker (bridge).[/quote] The dog defines what is aversive - no? So, for some dogs, a collar can be used as a marker.... and for some dogs, a clicker is highly aversive. I am confused.

I'd go for a Whippet or a Greyhound.... you do need to be careful with sighthounds (especially ex-racers) and cats, but it can be done. Greyhounds are awesome - I would love one one day. Very different to what you have, great laid back, generally "go anywhere" dogs, very low maintenance grooming wise.... just a once over with a hound mitt once a week or so is fine. They do shed, but not horribly if you keep up with brushing occasionally.

[quote user="doji"]First, you go through all doors first. [/quote] I have tried this and it made no difference. I haven't seen a sudden lapse in behaviour since I stopped bothering. It's EASIER to let them go out ahead and wait for me while I lock up. When I let them out to toilet, I don't always go with them, and sometimes it's just easier to let them go out and pee and then I put my shoes on and follow at my leisure, then they don't have to cross their legs while i

Greyhounds, without a doubt!

A bit OT, but I am confused about the prong being used as a marker.... if I had a dog lag behind or forge ahead, I wouldn't "click" (read, "mark") that behaviour, because the marker says, "YES! - what you were doing then, at that second, is precisely what I want and why you are being rewarded " As i don't want that behaviour repeated (lagging/forging), I won't mark at that moment, but rather only when the dog is in the correct position.... Anyway, I have

[quote user="calliecritturs"]Be careful -- treating for elminating can bite you -- there's nothing about **where** you treat that rings a bell with them -- all she knows is she peed and you gave her a treat. Soooooo why don't you when she pees for you inside?? She doesnt' "get" inside vs. outside --.[/quote] It worked for me. When I first left home, my dog was 6 years old and had always been an outside dog. He had no housetraining whatsoever; he was very much in the

I love Neil Gaiman! He's one of my all-time faves, and I hadn't read this short story before, so thank you! Anyone know where I can find the Sleeping Beauty re-write?