Conflict

Conflict is a word that creates a negative association as if it is a bad thing.

However, conflict can also be utilized in small doses in a meaningful and advantageous manner in obedience training.

We use "DESIRABLE CONFLICT".  I refer to this as "positive conflict" to create animation in my dogs.

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POSITIVE CONFLICT

The concept of "POSITIVE CONFLICT" is simple. By withholding or blocking  your dog from stimulus that increases arousal levels builds frustration.

EXAMPLE: a handler, with the proper foundation in "The Games" (Module 6 material), applies 2-3 leash pops when their dog looks away in heeling, resulting in the dog to not look away and actually come higher into drive, and prance more with the expectation of a toy delivery/reward.

"Undesirable Conflict" is conflict that has been created through unclear communication, and often associated with social pressure or corrections.

For example, my dogs learn how to come higher in drive with a leash pop or cue. This is by design. Most importantly, it is taught prior to any leash correction given to inhibit a behavior.

Negative EXAMPLE: a handler applies a correction to their dog for momentarily looking away in heeling, which causes the dog to become offended and deflates the dog's drive.

Your Leash Can Be a Communication Tool

This style of thoughtfully introducing leash pops to build drive, along with leash directionals coupled with food lures as a separate exercise, will prepare my dog for sport.  It allows me to use the leash as a communication tool rather than an offensive means of correction.

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Desirable & Undesirable Conflicts

5 min 51 sec

1 min 30 sec

1 min 37 sec

5 min 20 sec

2 min 14 sec

Check out

Mark Keatings Relationship Games

DVD & Course

23 seconds

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Undesirable Conflicts

3 min 15 sec