Dog training methods - I've seen it all - how do we know what's right?

[SuddenlyOld]

At my age I've seen so many training methods come and go, lauded to begin with then trashed as the next method comes in.

First it was Barbara Woodhouse, then Jan Fennell, Cesar Millan, currently Southend Dog Trainers, and even Graeme Hall

All have since been shown to promote 'unhealthy' training methods. Even Graeme Hall looks good on TV but apparently it's all staged and doesn't last.

So my question is, how do we know that current training methods are right for our dogs, or for us?

I do wonder about this because I remember Jan Fennell being on TV and her methods seemed amazing and made sense. I tried them on our barky, jumpy sheltie cross. It didn't work and now her methods have been debunked.

So how do we ever know that current methods are right?

so you gave him another to try and encourage him up

Undoubtedly this, even though I didn't realise it.

waiting it out = 20 treats

i was experimenting, honest 😂

It's even possible that he's learnt that he can wait for you to lift him in and he still gets a treat, lol.

Nah, no treat for being lifted. Quite a bewildered look though as if to say "oh, what happened there?"

While I (generally) don't agree with lifting dogs unnecessarily, I do think in this scenario it may be the lesser of two evils.

It isn't my favoured option either. I just thought I'd try it and see what happened. As I said earlier, he got in much faster on the way home. I haven't been out in the car with him since, so it will be interesting to see what happens next time.

Could you come back and let us know?

I don't think a dog being lifted (even if they don't love it) is the worst thing in the world, especially if it makes everyone's lives easier (and quicker). I'm lucky that my dog just jumps in no matter what!

I have to admit though, I do love the fact that you tried chucking twenty treats in for him

I will indeed report back.

Re the twenty treats, I experiment quite a lot with him. I wondered how many I'd get to. I also have moments when he doesn't want to come home from the park, or wants to go the direction we usually play ball in instead of the direction home. He either just sits down, or will stand looking in the direction he wants to go.

First couple of times, I wondered if he was tired, but a young lab shouldn't be tired after only forty five minutes or so. Also pain, but that also ruled out.

So, first time, I just applied gentle pressure in the direction I wanted to go and waited. Twenty minutes later, he gave in. Second time the same.

Third time, I thought "I'll try something else this time", so I unclipped his lead and walked off. Bewilderment ensued with a few confused looks, and then he followed me. Watching them process things is hilarious.

I can't recall if I said further up this thread or on others, he's a rescue and I got him at two years three months. His previous owners, I am pretty sure, treated him like a baby and he had zero training or manners and expected everything his own way. He's had a bit of a rude awakening as that isn't how I operate. He now doesn't jump at visitors, walks nicely loose lead (or next to me with no lead), recall is good, he will sit, and stay for as long as I need him to. Emergency stop has been a bit of a challenge, but he is getting that now. Dummy retrieval is good, and he will wait until released to go and get it. Drop has been fun, but he's getting that too now.

He's been my most challenging by far, but he's also the youngest. All my other rescues have been older.

One approach I've found helpful is reading the bloody date on the post and replying like a human rather than an advertising bot.