Caught out one of our dogs sneaking the cat food. Just had to say her name loudly and in a 'shocked/angry' tone and she hid behind the table - was very hard not to giggle - then outside time for her. She was very apologetic afterwards. However like kids this doesn't work the same on the over one who even caught in the middle of it will simply do innocent look 'What??' and be mortally offeneded at being put into time out *grin*

Positive reinforcement has always been a more effective option in training anyone (or anything).

The only negative reinforcement training system I have ever used was an electric dog collar for keeping a dog on a property. That only takes a couple of shocks when the dog strays to train them the right way to leave the property (when you switch the collar off, step out on to the street and call them).

My two dogs are complete opposites. Heather is "oooh I better not do that ever again" Holly is "oooh I better not get caught doing that ever again"

I would never hit my dog when he is good I pat him and tell him he is a good dog. He is a collie and not very into food so treats don't work so well as a reward.

When he is bad I clap my hand he hates this sound and will stop doing what he is doing straight away like sniffing our cat or jumping up on the couch.

I trained my first dog at a local obedience club where they used more traditional training methods including correction. Although we passed I never had a dog that was particularly obedient - it was almost like she was resentful of having to sit or down. I've since devoured the library in dog training books and started using clicker training. For me this has been way more successful - training in a positive manner leaves us in a good mood. I've been able to teach her all sorts of tricks quickly and easily.

This year we started agility training which really focuses on postitive reinforcement and play as a reward - and I belive that is the main reason we have enjoyed it so much.

I've just started training my 4 month old puppy now at a different obedience club where postive reinforcement is used and I must say it makes all the difference to me and how much I enjoy training him.

Psychologists have spent years proving that positive reinforcement is the best way of training any animal or person to do anything. They make you do it in learning and behaviour in stage two learning and behaviour. Make the pigeon do something ridiculous and it gets food. Or make the rat push the button to feed itself.. its not actually very difficult and it makes them happier than shocking them. For something as intelligent as a dog they can equate you with something they like as opposed to something they hate its a much better relationship.

I did alot of obedience training and agility with my Shepherd, and I totally agree, positive reinforcement is far more effective than punishment. If I was calm and having fun then he behaved well, if I was tired and in a bad mood he could be a right pain, dogs pick up on your vibes I reckon. I'm hesitant to compare children with dogs, but similar methods work on my son :-)

My Mum uses treats with me, and always has for training purposes. When I was only a baby (I'm not three), I use to get treats if I sat at the curb and waited before crossing the road. Now I know that I should always sit and can do this without a treat. Recently Mum has been training me not to talk to all the other dogs in the neighbourhood all night. I get a final warning, and if I come in straight away I get two chocky drops (my favourite treat), if I don't and don't come in on the words time out, Mum uses her grumpy voice and then chases me into the bathroom - no treats. But if I come inside on the words time out and go to bathroom by myself Mum will give me a treat. I much prefer the treat and no grumpy Mum. Recently I have noticed that I don't always get a treat when I've followed Mum's instructions, but that's okay because next time she might give me one instead. As a dog, I'm all for treats training, and happy voices.

Good article. I hate when people abuse there animals in to doing what they want. Humans should not have right to hurt animals in anyway. Better laws need to be put in to place to protect animals I say. Animals do learn just like children. They respond better to positive training methods e.g food. It's been proven. Just look at cesar millan!

Positive reinforcement with the occasional treat for good behaviour. Being sent to "Coventry" for bad behaviour. Smacking is bad and unnecessary. Works the same for children and animals. Although my dad always told us to make sure the dog gets fed last as befits the lowest pack member. Don't know whether this actually helped with the obedience, but he was pretty good dog, dumb but good. Not sure it would work on my kids.