Honestly I can't stand training discussions. Ever. I'm really not much of a trainer myself- I like teaching my dogs stupid tricks and all that, but when it comes to seminars and training classes I am so not interested. Why? Because most of the trainers I end up with tell me that I'm doing something wrong, even if its producing the desired result. Sorry, I am not of the opinion that learning is done in one specific way.
And yes, I am a "learning based" trainer in the sense that I believe that a clicker and treats are the most powerful tools in dog training- and those are generally the only tools I use. I don't use prongs or chokes or e-collars on my own dogs, ever. Do I think it's wrong to use them on other dogs? Eh, I don't know. I feel like I've never really been shown how a prong improved an owner or a dog's life. But I'm not going to say I never correct my dogs..
I enjoy dog behavior, and I understand it. But for some reason, when people start talking about it, I shut down. Maybe it's because I believe that positive trainers need to be positive with PEOPLE too, or the point is totally lost!
This.
And this:
I use whatever method the DOG responds to (most of the time I can get a dog to respond with positive ways BUT some breeds like cattle dogs who are very testy & almost NEED to know where the limit it by being told no & "ah ah!" Every now & again.
Number one thing that turns me off of trainers : "Dogs only learn ONE way. You HAVE to make them want to work FOR YOU. It doesn't matter if that goes against every more likely way the dog is going to better learn this. You're wrong. All dogs respond the EXACT SAME WAY to this EXACT SAME STIMULUS." Doesn't matter if the reaction is fear, frustration, annoyance, happy, disengagement, boredom, etc. 95% of trainers feel like ALL dogs should only react ONE way to that stimulus. And yes, +R trainers are the worst with that, but it applies all across the board, to many trainers with many different methods.
I'd rather do what works best for the dog, period. Some dogs need a choice. Easy/fun or hard/not fun. Some dogs are simply born more handler-oriented. Some dogs are far more stubborn and would rather learn things on their own. Other dogs like guidance in order to find their confidence. Some dogs are puzzle solvers. Some dogs couldn't give a hoot about their handler, because the entire breed was specifically bred to NOT be handler-oriented and to think independently. Other dogs were born to live and die by their handler's word. Some dogs like fast learning. Some dogs like slow learning. Some work best with lures. Some work best with shaping. Others learn best by the example of other dogs in the household.
If something is frustrating the dog or impeding progress, sure, offer a different view on how to do things because dogs CAN be individual in their training needs. But all the bashing, insinuating, and throat-cramming "education" isn't really needed. Makes things a lot less fun for the handler and the dog. And you are probably turning off far more people than you are convincing.
So everyone, from both sides, just need to calm the heck down, go walk their dog, take a chill pill, and have a happy Thanksgiving. And if they don't, then stop shoving your nose in drama and you wouldn't have that problem.