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Stillwell vs.Milan- As an amateur dog trainer for the last 20 yrs, I have always used the positive reinforcement method. The main drawback to the dominance method is that, in nature, the "pack leader" role is always up to be challenged. Would you want your small child to be on the receiving end of a pack leader challenge? If you have done any research on pack mentality in nature, you know that the pack, more or less , picks it's own leader. From time to time, a beta dog will throw his/her hat in the ring to become the pack leader. This is done through dominance as Mr. Milan teaches. Dominance = dog fight. Not a good place for a child or adult. That is an animal position, not a human position.

The positive reinforcement method has never failed. No dog has ever challenged me for the "human role". It is a much safer and kinder method and it lasts a lifetime. However, if you just NEED a quick fix, Milan's method does work in the short run. In the long run, who wants to keep defending their "leader position.

A happy dog wants to please their human because they love you, not because they fear you. It's about respect and loyalty. With dogs, you get what you give. This is the main thing to keep in mind when training any dog. Aggression breeds aggression, love breeds love. Let your pack select it's leader on their own and then respect their hierarchy. The pack leader gets the food, toys and attention first. This doesn't hurt their feelings, they chose that leader. If you try to discourage the leader from always being first, it sends confusing signals to the pack and it creates an unstable environment.

You may have just one dog. That's the easiest situation because he/she is the uncontested pack leader. You are the human. The positive reinforcement method still works better here.

You can start training a pup as soon as it opens it's eyes. You would use nudges as well as words/sounds, just as the mother dog would do. The pups that were trained from 2-4 weeks of age have never shown any aggression and naturally do what you want because it is all they have ever known. However, a dog of any age can be trained by showing it love and support. Praise the good and correct the bad and remove your attention. Your dog wants your love and attention. Taking that away when the dog exhibits an unwanted behavior will make the dog try to figure out how to get your attention back. Be sure he/she knows what you want from them and you will get it. Above all, remember that, as much as you adore your dog, it is a dog, not a baby. If you are clear about what you expect, you will get it.

The easiest way to think of this is: If your loved one held you on your back and tried to dominate you, how would you react, instinctively? If your loved one showed disappointment in you, how would you instinctively react?

This is your best friend, your proctor , your angel. Show respect, not dominance.

Learn more about this author, Barbara Winslow.
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