this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2026
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Dogs only exist in the moment. Any correction that isn’t delivered within 1-3 seconds is going to have greatly diminished effectiveness, and anything beyond 5-10 seconds (depending on breed) is going to not be connected with the behaviour that caused you to provide the correction.
There are many breeds where, in general, the drive is so high that “force-free” training will be the fastest path to the euthanasia table. German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and many other herding breeds in particular. Sure, you might get lucky and score a “low drive” dog, but that is relative to others in the same breed -- by comparison it will still make any golden retriever look like a high-as-a-kite stoner slacker. But a high-drive dog can and will get itself into situations where treats, toys, and other positive incentives will be utterly ignored. Trust me when I say that under those conditions, there is nothing in the “force-free training” arsenal that can or will reach these dogs to break them out of their focus. And when that focus involves aggression against pets or people, balanced training is the only thing that will keep your dog from being euthanized by the authorities.
Start training at an early age. Even as young as 8 weeks. Sit, heel, recall and others are vitally important in being able to control your dog without a leash, or if they slip the leash. Try to find a MSRP-priced version of Successful Together, as it will do wonders in laying down a good foundation of training.
Look for the videographer MK9Plus (can’t tell if British or Australian), they have lots of excellent reels on how to understand your dog’s body language. Method k9 is another one.
Manhandle your dog, especially when they are young and easy to handle. Don’t hurt them, but do get them used to being strangely handled, especially in cases like when they are at the vet.
Do not take your dog out on extended runs for the first year of life, their joints will thank you for their entire life.
Do not spay or neuter your dog, their lifespan and overall health will thank you for their life. Instead, consider vasectomies and hysterectomies instead, as these leave the hormone-producing gonads in place, leading to longer and much healthier lives.
I hope this helps.