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I believe your serious. It's similar to the question I once asked. My academic contacts said they didn't see why it wouldn't be possible; I didn't think that was a very enthusiastic endorsement. ...

Hi Jeff,

Not quite sure what you're asking. If you're wondering can we teach our dogs not to cheat using Positive Reinforcement only, the short answer is absolutely. But I would be misleading if...

JS,

Doesn't sound to me like you think it's funny. Getting your facts straight would be helpful. People weren't trying to train this way in the 1960's; and certainly not in the Midwest, where I...

Hello Jennifer,

I agree with you when you say, "I think it's counter productive to give a sideways insult to folks...". I neither intended, nor believe I said anything insulting. Nor did I do so...

Dennis,

I can understand why you don't like the label "force program". And yet as you indicate in your following paragraph the practice continues. I think there are compelling reasons to explain...

Ken,
Do you have something else in mind?

Dennis,

I'm glad to hear that Positive Reinforcement is so prevalent where you are. That hasn't been my experience. I'm sure it's true that many, if not most, throw fun bumpers and the like, but...

Debbie,

As trainers we can get so locked into what were doing that 'we sometimes don't the forest for the trees'. The modern force method uses an e-collar as it's primary training tool. So in...

You guys are leaving out an important criteria; to be positive reinforcement it must be something the dog likes or wants. I never met a dog that liked getting juiced.

Daniel

Dennis,

I think some of your explanations of the four possible avenues for acquiring behavior aren't quite accurate.

Operant Conditioning, developed by Skinner, describes learning through...

Hey Shelby,

I appreciate the train of thought you've developed, but as reasonable as it might seem genetics doesn't support your conclusion. Maybe a good male should produce top females, but...

It's difficult to make a point without writing a lengthy explanation. David knows what his criteria is. That's clear. To measure that criteria he looks at all the females, except one, and...

I think you might be confusing Maternal Line (what the OP called the "Bitch Line') with Maternal side. None of the dogs you mention are in Lean Mac's Maternal Line. They are on the "Maternal Side"...

"Was talking with a friend and we were descussing what makes a strong bitch line...??"



It's up to you the breeder, or interested party, to determine the criteria for what you call "strong". ...

Jeff,

Slow down! You know the importance of focus--reset your aperture. A guy says he wants to spay his female. Several people offer their opinion. They didn't provide the kind of info I would...

Whether it sounds ridiculous or not, doesn't alter whether it's accurate. As for nature knowing best, people make decisions to alter dogs, not nature. In this case Jonathan has decided to do so. ...

Nancy,
Your comment makes the point very well. Guessing doesn't count for much if understanding is what we're after. A hallmark of science is to refrain from predicating an outcome on an...

Historically the age at which to spay or neuter has been based mainly on myth; both for the general public as well as vets. The least trauma occurs when spaying at a younger age. Depending on a...

Howard,
To your first ques. Just got in from a long cold day on the water. The dogs did well considering it was 15 above zero with a 25 mph wind coming off the prairie blowing streamers of foam...

Jeff,

I assume you work and that's why you leave the dogs alone. And you mentioned price as an inducement to your purchasing a 3 x 6 kennel. I think it's very likely those circumstances are...

I always feel sad when I hear that we hold our dogs in such low regard. It makes me wonder whether we form our opinions out of ignorance, or if we just shape our beliefs to conform to the way we...