Seriously, how can someone who can't even control their own dogs say Force Free is just as effective?
How many bad walks are there?
I guess in the end, the definition of "effective" is subjective.
So what is effective to you? and maybe shed some light on how her training is effective. To me, it's simply not - especially for someone who is a certified professional.
Looking for opinions from folks here..
When you use a marker - do you use a word or a non-verbal cue like a clicker?
If you use a word what do you use? ie "yes!" / "good boy/girl!" Do you think using these types of words can be confusing to the dog it reinforce poor behaviour by accident?
This is not a study war, let's discuss this one study.
My thoughts:
This was a postal mail survey, there is absolutely no way to know if or how many people poisoned the data.
Even still, how can we know if these owners are using effective R+ techniques let alone aversive.
Positive punishment wasn't clearly defined and was subjective to what that owner deemed as punishment - or on the flip side, not.
We don't know if the non-punishment respondents used a form of punishment, even unknowingly.
They claimed that informal training aka without any help from a trainer saw a high level of self reported aggression, but it probably isn't even aggression and only reactivity caused by their (lack of) training.
Undesirable behaviours outlined are completely subjective and doesn't account for breed or situation, ie the dog may be trying to communicate to someone who simply doesn't understand.
This is MY take, but I'd love to hear yours.
LINK: https://www.huisdiergedrag.be/docs/Blackwell%20et%20al.,%202008.pdf