now i have a question.u said that u believed in time outs.now i've read articles where u should only use his/her crate as a positive place for her/him but if u use it as a positive and a negative way then wouldn't ur dog get confused?
@KT4Life100 What I gather (and I don't speak for anyone) is that he's telling his dogs to go away and chill out somewhere - basically a time out. They then CHOOSE to use the crate because they feel comfortable there. The 'time out' is the aversive; the crate is a safe spot. If you actively PUT your dog in his crate and closed the door on him as a correction, he would develop a negative association. The crate would become the means of punishment and that would be counterproductive.
Good video. One thing though is that positive punishment isn't always physical force as you said. It's simply adding an aversive as a result of behavior
Didn't like the first video I watched of yours, not going to lie, (forgot which one it was), but this one is good and so are a couple of others I've watched also. You have a lot of good knowledge and information for dog owners. I train dogs also, though some of my methods may be slightly different. There are.......some things I don't agree with on some of the videos, but...... There will always be some things trainers don't agree on. Good video though.
You're type of training is very popular in sweden, and I know a lot of people here who are really opposed to methods similar to Ceasar Milan. The biggest animal rights-group here recently had a big artikle on dog training methods, and talked about why psitive reinforcement is the best, it was great, and really opened my eyes! Keep up the good work, and keep posting videos! / Ingrid, Sweden.
I appreciate the "spirit" that your dogs display...the eagerness - and your understanding.
Re: your criticisms of Cesar M's notions...your ideas could be the more important regarding the dog pack notion vs. human/dog behavioral/signal integration .
However, I found SOME of Cesar's body language display method transforms bothersome behavior ... e.g. front door "racing/mad barking" became alerting me, then following quietly to door, all within door interaction 1- 5.
as a pre school teacher, i like the word "discipline" instead of "punishment". Discipline is teaching & can be done w/positive & negative enforcement. when my dog does what he knows is not o.k., i send him outside 4 a few min. i think thats good to let him know he doesn't get house privleges if he's going to misbehave in the house. i think it also makes a big difference depending on what behavior they did that was incorrect, if it was accidental or defiant. tone of voice means a lot to them 2
@sdsunshiness This is where the major confusion lies in dog training circles. Question - what constitutes punishment? Answer - anything the dog will work to avoid. This includes the presentation of something unpleasant; or the removal of something pleasant. Whether we call it 'discipline', 'manners' 'rules' boundaries' 'parenting' 'leadership' 'obedience' - whatever - we're simply playing with words. If it involves anything designed to make the dog rethink a behaviour; it is punishment!.. cnt'd
@ I think trainers waste too much time trying to prove how 'non-punitive' their methods are (and i'm absolutely reinforcement driven). If you stop when your dog pulls; or turn the other way, if you place your dog in a seperate room to momentarily calm over exuberance, if you withold a treat to increase duration or incrementally shape behaviours - You are still using punishment to achieve your training goals (hitting the end of lead, isolation and discontinuation of expectancy). Life is punitive!
true, but i understand why trainers would emphasise the point of not using punishment for dog training b/c there are too many ignorant dog owners who think they should physically punish a dog.
@sdsunshiness I absolutely agree with you. I just feel that honesty is the best policy and will take the wind from the sails of choke/shock/pinch/slip/physically over-bearing trainers. The point that should be made clearer in order to put this 'them 'n' us' argument to bed forever, is that everybody and everything on earth depends on 'punishment' in order to understand and appreciate 'reinforcement'. Physical 'pain' is the ultimate 'no-no'; not punishment. We should promote education .. cntd
cnt'd ... rather than point fingers at those with a lesser understanding. Clicker trainers (me), cite Pryor et al, yet Pryor couldn't utilize clicker/whistle without first restricting the access and freedom of the marine mammals she trained. Skinner used boxes to limit the freedom of his rats and the Bailey's used confinement in their abczoo exhibits. We might choose to call it 'environmental control' - but it is STILL punitive to the animal concerened! Educate - don't criticize!! takethelead!
I cant say this enough, you are my absolute favorite dog trainer out there, cause you use both logic and common sense, and understand the dogs as dogs, not as some study they learned in a book (not that most do, but sometimes you get the feeling of it). //Maria, Sweden.
Do you have any tips for making a dog leave the garbage can alone? I try to keep it in the closet but the garbage is usually necessary in the kitchen lol. She knows "leave it" but she is just obsessed with the garbage; when I tell her no or to leave it she will walk away from it but is there any way I can get her to stop sticking her head in there in the first place? I'd rather not buy a new one btw...
love your channel its helped me so much with my 1yr Chihuahua..I recently moved and change has been very hard on him..he poops and pee's in my bed when I leave and i'm tired of washing my sheets everyday lol I have roomates and I don't wanna kennel him cuz he'll whine is there any tips you can give me? thank you soo much in advance :)
i have a question, i have a dachshund, and ive had him since last september. my mom has him useing like puppy pads to use to go to the bathroom on. i want to teach him to go out side but i take him out all the time and he wont go out side and when we get back in side he just goes on the pad. do you know what i should do?
Amazing video Zak. No matter what anybody says...you're giving time out of your day to give us FREE information when you don't even have to. Thanks so much for all you do. Training video or information video....either way we still learn more then we did before we came here. Thanks!
I tend to avoid using the 'go to your bed/crate thing as a time out because I use that as the safe place where they go if they are bothered and the agreement is that they are left alone there...I guess a chill out zone! I'm not sure what a time out can be...I know a you shouldn't be here now (like when the family is eating) when they are encouraged to lay quietly...is that it?
I'm new to your site, but not new to dog training. I have been training dogs for years (35+ years), using different methodology, positive reinforcement for 25+ years. I like your techniques for getting the message across to people, very effective. I attend numerous conferences/seminars throughout the U.S. and recently found you online, keep up the good work! I enjoy your enthusiasm!!
cnt'd ... we would claim here to be training with positive reinforcement as we are using food; but there is an equal amount of negative punishment in the non-presentation of the expected reward - isn't there?
when a dog pulls forward on a lead and we turn the other way, we are punishing the dog. We introduce a directional change incompatible with what the dog wanted to do - that is punitive. using 'ah ah', we use negative reinforcement - avoidance of a learned negative consequence. Ur thoughts?
@taketheleadvideo That is just re-focussing isn't it? If you don't pay attention to me instead of that, then how would you know where you are going sort of thing? It has always worked for me with pulling and with a dog who barks as he/she approaches others.
@SapphireM The point isn't the effectiveness of the technique - I absolutely agree that a change of pace and direction bring lead pulling under control - my point is that whether you call it re-focussing, paying attention or whatever; the initial action of altering the direction in which the dog is travelling involves punishment. Whether it is in the physical sense - the dog hitting the end of lead and having to turn; or the emotional - dog wants to go one way but we prevent it - it's punishment
@taketheleadvideo I would call it a correction...it doesn't penalise of hurt the dog physically or mentally. With the best will in the world I can't stop this behaviour with a cuddle
@SapphireM That's EXACTLY my point!!!!!! - We all have to punish if we are to alter or modify a behaviour! I just wonder how right it is to put ourselves up as being 'positive' trainers, when we punish (albeit not physically) like anyone else!?
ok, in reply to your 'crate' post, yes, the removal to the crate is a time out - initially! The dog would rather be at the table when the family is eating so that it can beg or scavenge - right? So then we take it to a crate and we throw some food in when the dog is there to lure/reward/encourage - we may 'click' on entry and reward. The point is, that INITIALLY, that isn't where he wants to be; we are imposing confinement. We are removing what the dog wants - that is punishment! ... cnt'd
@taketheleadvideo The dog is directed to lay away from the table...not go to the bed (I don't do crates for house trained dogs) as a get away or as a punishment... to send a dog to it's refuge as a punishment seems bizarre to me so again I am confused about the idea of a time out
@SapphireM The fact that you are 'directing' implies that you are controlling - it isn't what the dog would voluntarily choose to do - it is put upon the dog to do so, whether for a biscuit, a 'cuddle' or whatever. Zak talks of 'parenting' - i have 4 kids - parents punish - it's unavoidable - just as the glare of the sun hurts your eyes and teaches you not to look directly at it. Life is based entirely upon positves and negatives - opposites - without one; there is no other! do i sound wierd!!?
cnt'd ... After a while, the punishment gets replaced by positive reinforcement (the feeding or verbal praise) and we can then claim to be training purely through positive reinforcement - but it still has it's foundations in a punitive consequence!! I suppose what i'm saying is that if we are all TRULY HONEST, there is an element of punishment in ALL training - unfortunately! That said, there is absolutely no place for physical chastisement in modern animal training!
Hey Zak; would you concede that it is impossible to train without punishment?
I'm referring to the scientific sense - the presentation of an aversive or the removal of something desirable. Taking the time-out, solitude is punishing as is the loss of opportunity to earn reward. Too many people mistake punishment with abuse and view it solely as physical chastisement. Punishment operates as much on an emotional level as a physical one. Withholding reward to increase duration is punishment ..cnt'd
I often think of my dog (German Shepard/Lab mix) as a 2 yr old! He's very bright & endearing & loves to learn new things! I talk to him like I would a person.
I love your videos Zak! I'm really hoping to get a dog soon, just have to convince my parents. My mom really wants one, i want one even more, but dad isn't really sure if i will be able to raise it properly etc. because im 'only' 15. I've watched almost all of your videos now, haha. Thank you for inspiring me :-)
When doing a time out, can you just tie the dog up to a place? I´m thinking about when my dog leaves me and what we are doing to do something else (play with other dogs etc). If I just go get him, instead of trying to call him back, and just tie him up somewhere for a minute or two? Can I be on to something?
@FalingAngel6 If you take that approach, your dog will learn that your approach is bad news. He isn't able to form the association between the event of ignoring you and the punishment of the T/O - the time lapse between event and consequence is too big and so he'll likely form the association that you putting his lead on results in a T/O; and so avoid it. Keep him on lead/line until your recall is more reliable!
Hi Zak. Hoping to get a border collie soon. When house training with a crate, at the beginning say my puppy is only comfortable being in the crate for an hour, what can I do if I must leave the house for say 2 or 3 hours? I understand I can put him in a playpen but then he may go to the toilet there, making the house training process slower. Any suggestions? or will I simply have to let him go to the toilet there? Thanks!
continuation ..... If i say as a parent "hey, it's ok, just stick with me, this is nothing to be afraid of", my kids understand. If I try this with a dog with a history of fear biting or traffic chasing (one ran into a 4x4); it will NOT rectify the issue. I need to understand the dog (it's communication systems) and the individual (how it responds, when and why) in order to address the fears; I cannot do it with comfort alone which often nurtures the fear. I 150% agree with a parenting approach!
Hey Zak, the comment about dogs being dogs and not little people in fur coats isn't a criticism - your accomplishments are without question. it was posted in response to the person who suggested cuddling children through a scary film equated to reducing fear in dogs via the same process. I work primarily with fearful dogs and am not a 'traditionalist' (I'm APDT). The point is that dogs cannot tell us what's wrong like kids (i have 4, 6 and under)!......continued (sorry)!
Zak, I like some of your videos, but I'd rather see clips of you interacting with your dogs rather than just raw footage of you talking at the camera and fiddling with the computer. You are more photogenic than I am, but I think our dogs are even much easier on the eyes. You could add your voice as a separate sound track, with a script to focus on your core message without the chatter of ad lib. A little editing can help a lot.
In this case I agree with you, especially with the qualifier you added about applying to "most cases". I rarely need to correct Muttley, and if I do it is in no way harsh or damaging to our bond. I see nothing wrong with most corrections (better term than punishment), if timed properly and immediately followed by a reward of encouragement and affection. I think we need to give dogs direction and let them know immediately on error. Not severe punishment, just a tap or reminder to refocus.
Hurrah, there really is a dog trainer with the same approach to dog training as me! I agree with you on all counts when it comes to correcting a dog when it behaves badly. I have five dogs, all females out of different races and ages and it works fantastically well.
Sorry for my bad English, slept a lot during the English lessons in school...
Wouldn't you say it's better to redirect rather than punish? The problem with punishment is it's at the descretion of the handler to decide how much of what type is necessary. I know of a famous trainer who recommends hanging a dog, who has handler directed aggression, in a tree when the dog attempts to lunge until the dog passes out. Obviously is is too much, but you get my drift.
A crate is the WORST time out place for a dog! My dog sleeps in her crate, and I would never want to associate her crate with bad behaviour or punishment!
There is a wide variety of ideas about discipline concerning children so I guess comparing the two could get complicated. I know that if kids in this country were given as much time and attention concerning behavior as Zac's dog's get we would have a much brighter future. I do talk to my dog a lot and find just the tone of my voice is enough to deal with most problems that occur. The main thing is the trainer has to be smarter than the dog to make much progress.
I just got a beautiful 1-year old female Siberian husky. She follows me absolutely EVERYWHERE in the house, even though there are other family members around. This is okay because she's not intrusive or rambunctious, but I do worry about her own independence. It feels like I'm making her suffer whenever I leave the house. because I'm told she begins to cry and go nuts looking for me. Should I be worried?
@xslithsx My beagle is the same way. I don't see it as a problem, but he used to be very, very clingy. When we would go to the dog park he wouldn't socialize with the other dogs. It took him until he was about 7 to be happy with socializing. I suppose your husky sees you as her parent and I do believe that she'll begin to mellow out more just as my dog did. Especially if you just got her, she's probably lonely in her new home. Hope that helped!
@GypsyagilityBC44444 I'm sorry, you're absolutely right!! He does ask for comments, what was I thinking? I do apologize for my ignorance. Could you forgive me? I guess it's his fault that he didn't ask that all moronic ones to be kept to yourself. I'm really glad that you enjoyed your little rant, I had fun reading it myself. Just knowing that I'm responsible for your arrogance and unsettlement just made my day complete, and it's not even noon yet!
@rayvenbeckner well its 4:41 where i am im not unsettled as i find theres no better cure for insomnia than to go on to youtube post a comment and then watch the response while making it worse and lmao when the other peep tries to be sarcastic and it is his fault for not saying only pleasent comments that dont show what he's ignoring be sent and it gives me great pleasure to have provoked you into trying to insult me cause it means one of my insults hit a nerve and your trying to redo the favor
@GypsyagilityBC44444 On the contrary, love, I've not said anything unpleasant. Maybe I have, sometimes the truth isn't very pleasant at all. Is it 4:41 am or pm? You're not getting on my nerves at all. And I don't ignore you, because that's rude behavior. It's also extremely common, which is sad.
@rayvenbeckner Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I don't see your problem! What is the point of Zak uploading if everyone is going to agree with him every time. The whole point of Youtube is to show people what you can do and hear everyone's opinions.
Hi there! Do you mind if we leave video responces to your videos? I notice you alway say to comment below but sometime I find a video responce much easier and also easier to explain things sometimes then trying to explain it in a sentence form. Thanks
Great thoughts on a touchy subject dogs learn like humans. The first two years I thought this way had excellent results. Then went to professional trainers for a couple of years had less success and unhappy dogs. Last 10 years went back to my unlearned method of treating a dog as a small human. Great results. Happy dogs and a happy person. Thanks Zak
I think I am not the only one who would like to see you work with less obedient dogs. I know you have done videos on pulling on the lead, but with a dog who wasn't pulling that much. How about a dog who's constantly barking or whining? Or one that just doesn't want to do what you tell him to do? These Q&A vids are interesting, but with practical vids the whole package would be complete.
i have a golden retriver puppy that is 9 months old and i love him but he is soo energetic do U have a ider to some gamse i can play with him so hes braine gets tiet ps. i live in a apartment
@thecarlo512 I'm not Zac, but have you tried any scent work yet? You could start that off inside the home, easily. It gets their brain to work, and use their nose which they love. You could also teach your dog to... retrieve! Not just fetch, but teach him the names of objects, the command 'go get' and then get him to 'go get your chew toy' or 'go get my shoe' or whatever. Have fun!
@thecarlo512 zakgeorge has a lot videos on frisbee sport. The basic Idea is to find something where the dog runs a lot more than you do, so he will get tired. You can use balls or anything you can throw far away. To make it more brainy, make him do tricks before you throw it.
gotta say i appreciate your dog training techniques more than many trainers i have dealt with or watched. i fully believe that dogs respond best if you actually try to communicate with them and not be their boss
I love your videos, it's great getting the basic information out there that every dog owner should know! I manage a pet store, and I'm always directing my customers to your videos. :-)
Lol I started watching trick vids just before I adopted Mia (4 yr old beagle) but now theese vids are awesome too. Just one question Mia will only do tricks if treats are involved how can I make her want to do it without treats(if you already posted a video like this if you could tell me the name that would be awesome also Mia will play with a toy only on occasion but when she does she seems to love it but gets bored easily. Any toys you recommend
(sorry if this posts twice)are you going to do more trick training vids cause you can read all you talk about in books and the trick vids were the reason i watched your vids in the first place
@GypsyagilityBC44444 You are not the only one watching my videos. There are a lot of people out there who need to hear different things. Thanks for your feedback.
@zakgeorge21 and im not the only one who started watching you for trick vids but is now getting fed up cause it would be possible to do information vids and trick vids at the same time cause i know that my friends have stopped watching your vids cause its getting kinda boring
@zakgeorge21 hmmm you know you can destroy someone with the right edit amation and a twitter account you sould keep that in mind when you call peep boring ya little poof(lol AVPS quote)
@GypsyagilityBC44444 You should keep in mind that when you're directly conversing with someone, that proper grammar/punctuation will not kill you. Especially when that someone is nice enough to post videos that are this helpful. If you find him boring, then stop wasting his time with ignorant comments and go play with your dog. I'm sure he/she feels neglected if you're spending all your time on YouTube putting down those humans who're actually doing something with their lives. Ciao!
@rayvenbeckner i'll type howeva i want thanks and seeming my dog gets atleast 3 walks a day one in the woods one up to my local shop and back and at least one at the open area in my estate And does agility and sleeps in the room with me aswell as training and playing my dog doesn't feel neglected and i'll put down who i want to ya shitless cunt and dont clog up my laptop with anymore comments that aint to do with you
@zakgeorge21 i agree with gypsy. I'm also starting to feel like your videos are getting too "slow paced". i would really like you to start making your trick videos again and i assume many others will agree too.
@zakgeorge21 Hi there, GypsyagilityBC44444 is a good friend of mine. I would like everyone to stop annoying her and I love your trick videos the most. I would like to see more of these. As Tara is right you can read in books or online.
@SaffyShine Maybe some people people like to hear how to do it rather than read it I know I do. If you wanna watch just dog training trick videos then look that up on youtube.
@pickledouche I think i'd rather read than watch a video, that's your opnion and i think zak george is a very amaing dog trainner and that's why i would like to see trick videos from him.
@Evalynn3f thnxs for clarifying that to me.
KT4Life100 2 weeks ago
now i have a question.u said that u believed in time outs.now i've read articles where u should only use his/her crate as a positive place for her/him but if u use it as a positive and a negative way then wouldn't ur dog get confused?
KT4Life100 1 month ago
@KT4Life100 What I gather (and I don't speak for anyone) is that he's telling his dogs to go away and chill out somewhere - basically a time out. They then CHOOSE to use the crate because they feel comfortable there. The 'time out' is the aversive; the crate is a safe spot. If you actively PUT your dog in his crate and closed the door on him as a correction, he would develop a negative association. The crate would become the means of punishment and that would be counterproductive.
Evalynn3f 2 weeks ago
Good video. One thing though is that positive punishment isn't always physical force as you said. It's simply adding an aversive as a result of behavior
paulcottman 3 months ago
Didn't like the first video I watched of yours, not going to lie, (forgot which one it was), but this one is good and so are a couple of others I've watched also. You have a lot of good knowledge and information for dog owners. I train dogs also, though some of my methods may be slightly different. There are.......some things I don't agree with on some of the videos, but...... There will always be some things trainers don't agree on. Good video though.
sheeeve08 4 months ago
hey my 8 month old (i think) isint interested in toys or play fetch how to i correct this
1089Groom 6 months ago
You're type of training is very popular in sweden, and I know a lot of people here who are really opposed to methods similar to Ceasar Milan. The biggest animal rights-group here recently had a big artikle on dog training methods, and talked about why psitive reinforcement is the best, it was great, and really opened my eyes! Keep up the good work, and keep posting videos! / Ingrid, Sweden.
mandelstuvning 6 months ago
Hi Zak,
I appreciate the "spirit" that your dogs display...the eagerness - and your understanding.
Re: your criticisms of Cesar M's notions...your ideas could be the more important regarding the dog pack notion vs. human/dog behavioral/signal integration .
However, I found SOME of Cesar's body language display method transforms bothersome behavior ... e.g. front door "racing/mad barking" became alerting me, then following quietly to door, all within door interaction 1- 5.
explore more
pointyhead1 6 months ago
Hey Zak!
Esteemed Stanford Professor Robert Sapolski gives support to your evolutionary view of how dogs have evolved to "read" us.
youtube.com/watch?v=zFO6LhYxMQ0
pointyhead1 6 months ago
Comment removed
pointyhead1 6 months ago
as a pre school teacher, i like the word "discipline" instead of "punishment". Discipline is teaching & can be done w/positive & negative enforcement. when my dog does what he knows is not o.k., i send him outside 4 a few min. i think thats good to let him know he doesn't get house privleges if he's going to misbehave in the house. i think it also makes a big difference depending on what behavior they did that was incorrect, if it was accidental or defiant. tone of voice means a lot to them 2
sdsunshiness 6 months ago
@sdsunshiness This is where the major confusion lies in dog training circles. Question - what constitutes punishment? Answer - anything the dog will work to avoid. This includes the presentation of something unpleasant; or the removal of something pleasant. Whether we call it 'discipline', 'manners' 'rules' boundaries' 'parenting' 'leadership' 'obedience' - whatever - we're simply playing with words. If it involves anything designed to make the dog rethink a behaviour; it is punishment!.. cnt'd
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
@ I think trainers waste too much time trying to prove how 'non-punitive' their methods are (and i'm absolutely reinforcement driven). If you stop when your dog pulls; or turn the other way, if you place your dog in a seperate room to momentarily calm over exuberance, if you withold a treat to increase duration or incrementally shape behaviours - You are still using punishment to achieve your training goals (hitting the end of lead, isolation and discontinuation of expectancy). Life is punitive!
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
@taketheleadvideo
true, but i understand why trainers would emphasise the point of not using punishment for dog training b/c there are too many ignorant dog owners who think they should physically punish a dog.
sdsunshiness 6 months ago
@sdsunshiness I absolutely agree with you. I just feel that honesty is the best policy and will take the wind from the sails of choke/shock/pinch/slip/physically over-bearing trainers. The point that should be made clearer in order to put this 'them 'n' us' argument to bed forever, is that everybody and everything on earth depends on 'punishment' in order to understand and appreciate 'reinforcement'. Physical 'pain' is the ultimate 'no-no'; not punishment. We should promote education .. cntd
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
cnt'd ... rather than point fingers at those with a lesser understanding. Clicker trainers (me), cite Pryor et al, yet Pryor couldn't utilize clicker/whistle without first restricting the access and freedom of the marine mammals she trained. Skinner used boxes to limit the freedom of his rats and the Bailey's used confinement in their abczoo exhibits. We might choose to call it 'environmental control' - but it is STILL punitive to the animal concerened! Educate - don't criticize!! takethelead!
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
I cant say this enough, you are my absolute favorite dog trainer out there, cause you use both logic and common sense, and understand the dogs as dogs, not as some study they learned in a book (not that most do, but sometimes you get the feeling of it). //Maria, Sweden.
Ixxithedog 6 months ago 15
@Ixxithedog Really nice thing to say. Thank you.
Zak
zakgeorge21 6 months ago 4
Do you have any tips for making a dog leave the garbage can alone? I try to keep it in the closet but the garbage is usually necessary in the kitchen lol. She knows "leave it" but she is just obsessed with the garbage; when I tell her no or to leave it she will walk away from it but is there any way I can get her to stop sticking her head in there in the first place? I'd rather not buy a new one btw...
ajk2191991 6 months ago
love your channel its helped me so much with my 1yr Chihuahua..I recently moved and change has been very hard on him..he poops and pee's in my bed when I leave and i'm tired of washing my sheets everyday lol I have roomates and I don't wanna kennel him cuz he'll whine is there any tips you can give me? thank you soo much in advance :)
--Rachel
AriesAngelXXX84 6 months ago
i have a question, i have a dachshund, and ive had him since last september. my mom has him useing like puppy pads to use to go to the bathroom on. i want to teach him to go out side but i take him out all the time and he wont go out side and when we get back in side he just goes on the pad. do you know what i should do?
OskarDog17 6 months ago
Amazing video Zak. No matter what anybody says...you're giving time out of your day to give us FREE information when you don't even have to. Thanks so much for all you do. Training video or information video....either way we still learn more then we did before we came here. Thanks!
nicholask95 6 months ago 10
I tend to avoid using the 'go to your bed/crate thing as a time out because I use that as the safe place where they go if they are bothered and the agreement is that they are left alone there...I guess a chill out zone! I'm not sure what a time out can be...I know a you shouldn't be here now (like when the family is eating) when they are encouraged to lay quietly...is that it?
SapphireM 6 months ago
I'm new to your site, but not new to dog training. I have been training dogs for years (35+ years), using different methodology, positive reinforcement for 25+ years. I like your techniques for getting the message across to people, very effective. I attend numerous conferences/seminars throughout the U.S. and recently found you online, keep up the good work! I enjoy your enthusiasm!!
jobark54 6 months ago
cnt'd ... we would claim here to be training with positive reinforcement as we are using food; but there is an equal amount of negative punishment in the non-presentation of the expected reward - isn't there?
when a dog pulls forward on a lead and we turn the other way, we are punishing the dog. We introduce a directional change incompatible with what the dog wanted to do - that is punitive. using 'ah ah', we use negative reinforcement - avoidance of a learned negative consequence. Ur thoughts?
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
@taketheleadvideo That is just re-focussing isn't it? If you don't pay attention to me instead of that, then how would you know where you are going sort of thing? It has always worked for me with pulling and with a dog who barks as he/she approaches others.
SapphireM 6 months ago
@SapphireM The point isn't the effectiveness of the technique - I absolutely agree that a change of pace and direction bring lead pulling under control - my point is that whether you call it re-focussing, paying attention or whatever; the initial action of altering the direction in which the dog is travelling involves punishment. Whether it is in the physical sense - the dog hitting the end of lead and having to turn; or the emotional - dog wants to go one way but we prevent it - it's punishment
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
@taketheleadvideo I would call it a correction...it doesn't penalise of hurt the dog physically or mentally. With the best will in the world I can't stop this behaviour with a cuddle
SapphireM 6 months ago
@SapphireM That's EXACTLY my point!!!!!! - We all have to punish if we are to alter or modify a behaviour! I just wonder how right it is to put ourselves up as being 'positive' trainers, when we punish (albeit not physically) like anyone else!?
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
ok, in reply to your 'crate' post, yes, the removal to the crate is a time out - initially! The dog would rather be at the table when the family is eating so that it can beg or scavenge - right? So then we take it to a crate and we throw some food in when the dog is there to lure/reward/encourage - we may 'click' on entry and reward. The point is, that INITIALLY, that isn't where he wants to be; we are imposing confinement. We are removing what the dog wants - that is punishment! ... cnt'd
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
@taketheleadvideo The dog is directed to lay away from the table...not go to the bed (I don't do crates for house trained dogs) as a get away or as a punishment... to send a dog to it's refuge as a punishment seems bizarre to me so again I am confused about the idea of a time out
SapphireM 6 months ago
@SapphireM The fact that you are 'directing' implies that you are controlling - it isn't what the dog would voluntarily choose to do - it is put upon the dog to do so, whether for a biscuit, a 'cuddle' or whatever. Zak talks of 'parenting' - i have 4 kids - parents punish - it's unavoidable - just as the glare of the sun hurts your eyes and teaches you not to look directly at it. Life is based entirely upon positves and negatives - opposites - without one; there is no other! do i sound wierd!!?
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
cnt'd ... After a while, the punishment gets replaced by positive reinforcement (the feeding or verbal praise) and we can then claim to be training purely through positive reinforcement - but it still has it's foundations in a punitive consequence!! I suppose what i'm saying is that if we are all TRULY HONEST, there is an element of punishment in ALL training - unfortunately! That said, there is absolutely no place for physical chastisement in modern animal training!
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
Hey Zak; would you concede that it is impossible to train without punishment?
I'm referring to the scientific sense - the presentation of an aversive or the removal of something desirable. Taking the time-out, solitude is punishing as is the loss of opportunity to earn reward. Too many people mistake punishment with abuse and view it solely as physical chastisement. Punishment operates as much on an emotional level as a physical one. Withholding reward to increase duration is punishment ..cnt'd
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
I often think of my dog (German Shepard/Lab mix) as a 2 yr old! He's very bright & endearing & loves to learn new things! I talk to him like I would a person.
gdcomptontorres17 6 months ago
I love your videos Zak! I'm really hoping to get a dog soon, just have to convince my parents. My mom really wants one, i want one even more, but dad isn't really sure if i will be able to raise it properly etc. because im 'only' 15. I've watched almost all of your videos now, haha. Thank you for inspiring me :-)
Camyzz 6 months ago
When doing a time out, can you just tie the dog up to a place? I´m thinking about when my dog leaves me and what we are doing to do something else (play with other dogs etc). If I just go get him, instead of trying to call him back, and just tie him up somewhere for a minute or two? Can I be on to something?
FalingAngel6 6 months ago
@FalingAngel6 If you take that approach, your dog will learn that your approach is bad news. He isn't able to form the association between the event of ignoring you and the punishment of the T/O - the time lapse between event and consequence is too big and so he'll likely form the association that you putting his lead on results in a T/O; and so avoid it. Keep him on lead/line until your recall is more reliable!
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
Hi Zak. Hoping to get a border collie soon. When house training with a crate, at the beginning say my puppy is only comfortable being in the crate for an hour, what can I do if I must leave the house for say 2 or 3 hours? I understand I can put him in a playpen but then he may go to the toilet there, making the house training process slower. Any suggestions? or will I simply have to let him go to the toilet there? Thanks!
shonfield 6 months ago
continuation ..... If i say as a parent "hey, it's ok, just stick with me, this is nothing to be afraid of", my kids understand. If I try this with a dog with a history of fear biting or traffic chasing (one ran into a 4x4); it will NOT rectify the issue. I need to understand the dog (it's communication systems) and the individual (how it responds, when and why) in order to address the fears; I cannot do it with comfort alone which often nurtures the fear. I 150% agree with a parenting approach!
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
Hey Zak, the comment about dogs being dogs and not little people in fur coats isn't a criticism - your accomplishments are without question. it was posted in response to the person who suggested cuddling children through a scary film equated to reducing fear in dogs via the same process. I work primarily with fearful dogs and am not a 'traditionalist' (I'm APDT). The point is that dogs cannot tell us what's wrong like kids (i have 4, 6 and under)!......continued (sorry)!
taketheleadvideo 6 months ago
cool video
CobaltO18 6 months ago
I love your videos and your advice, you have great ideas! :)
radioqueen46 6 months ago
Zak, I like some of your videos, but I'd rather see clips of you interacting with your dogs rather than just raw footage of you talking at the camera and fiddling with the computer. You are more photogenic than I am, but I think our dogs are even much easier on the eyes. You could add your voice as a separate sound track, with a script to focus on your core message without the chatter of ad lib. A little editing can help a lot.
PaulAndMuttley 6 months ago
@PaulAndMuttley On his secret channel there's videos of him and his dogs. :)
ChayaBrookeB 6 months ago
In this case I agree with you, especially with the qualifier you added about applying to "most cases". I rarely need to correct Muttley, and if I do it is in no way harsh or damaging to our bond. I see nothing wrong with most corrections (better term than punishment), if timed properly and immediately followed by a reward of encouragement and affection. I think we need to give dogs direction and let them know immediately on error. Not severe punishment, just a tap or reminder to refocus.
PaulAndMuttley 6 months ago
Hurrah, there really is a dog trainer with the same approach to dog training as me! I agree with you on all counts when it comes to correcting a dog when it behaves badly. I have five dogs, all females out of different races and ages and it works fantastically well.
Sorry for my bad English, slept a lot during the English lessons in school...
Greetings from Sweden.
clickyourdog 6 months ago
Wouldn't you say it's better to redirect rather than punish? The problem with punishment is it's at the descretion of the handler to decide how much of what type is necessary. I know of a famous trainer who recommends hanging a dog, who has handler directed aggression, in a tree when the dog attempts to lunge until the dog passes out. Obviously is is too much, but you get my drift.
dosdoggies 6 months ago
A crate is the WORST time out place for a dog! My dog sleeps in her crate, and I would never want to associate her crate with bad behaviour or punishment!
sugarsmaxx 6 months ago
There is a wide variety of ideas about discipline concerning children so I guess comparing the two could get complicated. I know that if kids in this country were given as much time and attention concerning behavior as Zac's dog's get we would have a much brighter future. I do talk to my dog a lot and find just the tone of my voice is enough to deal with most problems that occur. The main thing is the trainer has to be smarter than the dog to make much progress.
ellietobe 6 months ago
I just got a beautiful 1-year old female Siberian husky. She follows me absolutely EVERYWHERE in the house, even though there are other family members around. This is okay because she's not intrusive or rambunctious, but I do worry about her own independence. It feels like I'm making her suffer whenever I leave the house. because I'm told she begins to cry and go nuts looking for me. Should I be worried?
xslithsx 6 months ago
@xslithsx My beagle is the same way. I don't see it as a problem, but he used to be very, very clingy. When we would go to the dog park he wouldn't socialize with the other dogs. It took him until he was about 7 to be happy with socializing. I suppose your husky sees you as her parent and I do believe that she'll begin to mellow out more just as my dog did. Especially if you just got her, she's probably lonely in her new home. Hope that helped!
arterialshadow 6 months ago
@GypsyagilityBC44444 I'm sorry, you're absolutely right!! He does ask for comments, what was I thinking? I do apologize for my ignorance. Could you forgive me? I guess it's his fault that he didn't ask that all moronic ones to be kept to yourself. I'm really glad that you enjoyed your little rant, I had fun reading it myself. Just knowing that I'm responsible for your arrogance and unsettlement just made my day complete, and it's not even noon yet!
rayvenbeckner 6 months ago
@rayvenbeckner well its 4:41 where i am im not unsettled as i find theres no better cure for insomnia than to go on to youtube post a comment and then watch the response while making it worse and lmao when the other peep tries to be sarcastic and it is his fault for not saying only pleasent comments that dont show what he's ignoring be sent and it gives me great pleasure to have provoked you into trying to insult me cause it means one of my insults hit a nerve and your trying to redo the favor
GypsyagilityBC44444 6 months ago
@GypsyagilityBC44444 On the contrary, love, I've not said anything unpleasant. Maybe I have, sometimes the truth isn't very pleasant at all. Is it 4:41 am or pm? You're not getting on my nerves at all. And I don't ignore you, because that's rude behavior. It's also extremely common, which is sad.
rayvenbeckner 6 months ago
@rayvenbeckner Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I don't see your problem! What is the point of Zak uploading if everyone is going to agree with him every time. The whole point of Youtube is to show people what you can do and hear everyone's opinions.
bubbles201022 6 months ago
@rayvenbeckner i mean when the time thing came up thats the time it is where i live
GypsyagilityBC44444 6 months ago
Love it like always. Your passion for dogs is incredible!
TheTooawesome1 6 months ago
Hi there! Do you mind if we leave video responces to your videos? I notice you alway say to comment below but sometime I find a video responce much easier and also easier to explain things sometimes then trying to explain it in a sentence form. Thanks
crayzme 6 months ago
Great thoughts on a touchy subject dogs learn like humans. The first two years I thought this way had excellent results. Then went to professional trainers for a couple of years had less success and unhappy dogs. Last 10 years went back to my unlearned method of treating a dog as a small human. Great results. Happy dogs and a happy person. Thanks Zak
hbbhoppers 6 months ago
I think I am not the only one who would like to see you work with less obedient dogs. I know you have done videos on pulling on the lead, but with a dog who wasn't pulling that much. How about a dog who's constantly barking or whining? Or one that just doesn't want to do what you tell him to do? These Q&A vids are interesting, but with practical vids the whole package would be complete.
EvelineUK 6 months ago 2
i have a golden retriver puppy that is 9 months old and i love him but he is soo energetic do U have a ider to some gamse i can play with him so hes braine gets tiet ps. i live in a apartment
thecarlo512 6 months ago
@thecarlo512 I'm not Zac, but have you tried any scent work yet? You could start that off inside the home, easily. It gets their brain to work, and use their nose which they love. You could also teach your dog to... retrieve! Not just fetch, but teach him the names of objects, the command 'go get' and then get him to 'go get your chew toy' or 'go get my shoe' or whatever. Have fun!
EvelineUK 6 months ago
@thecarlo512 zakgeorge has a lot videos on frisbee sport. The basic Idea is to find something where the dog runs a lot more than you do, so he will get tired. You can use balls or anything you can throw far away. To make it more brainy, make him do tricks before you throw it.
SalsaTiger83 6 months ago
gotta say i appreciate your dog training techniques more than many trainers i have dealt with or watched. i fully believe that dogs respond best if you actually try to communicate with them and not be their boss
xoexo
edenbainbridge 6 months ago
I love your videos, it's great getting the basic information out there that every dog owner should know! I manage a pet store, and I'm always directing my customers to your videos. :-)
billywig2 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
HEY ZAC! If you could respond to this it would make my day. Thanks!
NeonboiiZ 6 months ago
Good stuff! Thank you!
BrandonToddCarr 6 months ago
Lol I started watching trick vids just before I adopted Mia (4 yr old beagle) but now theese vids are awesome too. Just one question Mia will only do tricks if treats are involved how can I make her want to do it without treats(if you already posted a video like this if you could tell me the name that would be awesome also Mia will play with a toy only on occasion but when she does she seems to love it but gets bored easily. Any toys you recommend
aerosmithacdcbonjovi 6 months ago 2
keewww
k9DaAV 6 months ago
(sorry if this posts twice)are you going to do more trick training vids cause you can read all you talk about in books and the trick vids were the reason i watched your vids in the first place
GypsyagilityBC44444 6 months ago 11
@GypsyagilityBC44444 You are not the only one watching my videos. There are a lot of people out there who need to hear different things. Thanks for your feedback.
zakgeorge21 6 months ago 17
@zakgeorge21 and im not the only one who started watching you for trick vids but is now getting fed up cause it would be possible to do information vids and trick vids at the same time cause i know that my friends have stopped watching your vids cause its getting kinda boring
GypsyagilityBC44444 6 months ago 2
@GypsyagilityBC44444 You're boring, lol. Then don't watch them:)
zakgeorge21 6 months ago 36
@zakgeorge21 hmmm you know you can destroy someone with the right edit amation and a twitter account you sould keep that in mind when you call peep boring ya little poof(lol AVPS quote)
GypsyagilityBC44444 6 months ago
@GypsyagilityBC44444 You should keep in mind that when you're directly conversing with someone, that proper grammar/punctuation will not kill you. Especially when that someone is nice enough to post videos that are this helpful. If you find him boring, then stop wasting his time with ignorant comments and go play with your dog. I'm sure he/she feels neglected if you're spending all your time on YouTube putting down those humans who're actually doing something with their lives. Ciao!
rayvenbeckner 6 months ago
@rayvenbeckner i'll type howeva i want thanks and seeming my dog gets atleast 3 walks a day one in the woods one up to my local shop and back and at least one at the open area in my estate And does agility and sleeps in the room with me aswell as training and playing my dog doesn't feel neglected and i'll put down who i want to ya shitless cunt and dont clog up my laptop with anymore comments that aint to do with you
GypsyagilityBC44444 6 months ago
@GypsyagilityBC44444 Hah! Must be exactly how ZakGeorge21 feels!
rayvenbeckner 6 months ago
@zakgeorge21 I like these types of videos! Is my nose getting brown? :)
jook00 6 months ago
@zakgeorge21 hello um is it still possible to train a 3 year old beagle and if so pls make a video
DarkDimon09 6 months ago
@zakgeorge21 Zak FTW!!
mizxou 6 months ago
@zakgeorge21 haha ya your right. <3 u zak ;)
kakaobe 6 months ago
@zakgeorge21 i agree with gypsy. I'm also starting to feel like your videos are getting too "slow paced". i would really like you to start making your trick videos again and i assume many others will agree too.
bobbychops1 6 months ago
@zakgeorge21 Hi there, GypsyagilityBC44444 is a good friend of mine. I would like everyone to stop annoying her and I love your trick videos the most. I would like to see more of these. As Tara is right you can read in books or online.
SaffyShine 6 months ago
@SaffyShine Maybe some people people like to hear how to do it rather than read it I know I do. If you wanna watch just dog training trick videos then look that up on youtube.
pickledouche 6 months ago
@pickledouche I think i'd rather read than watch a video, that's your opnion and i think zak george is a very amaing dog trainner and that's why i would like to see trick videos from him.
SaffyShine 6 months ago
@zakgeorge21 I WANT MORE TRICK VIDS TOO!!!! thumbs up if you want more trick vids people!!!! TRICKS TRICKS TRICKS YAY!!!
josski32 6 months ago
Comment removed
jook00 6 months ago
@jook00 i wasnt talking to you or about you
GypsyagilityBC44444 6 months ago
@GypsyagilityBC44444 Sorry :)
jook00 6 months ago