This wonderful article by Donna Duford explores the shifts in perception that can accompany “crossing over” (shifting from traditional command- and correction-based training methods to positive reinforcement methods, including clicker-training). In my own experience as a crossover trainer, I’ve found that I’ve become much more sensitive to canine body language, especially to stress signals (something we try to avoid in truly dog-friendly training methods, although some stress is an inevitable part of learning). This article explains just why there’s “no going back” once you’ve “crossed over” to positive training methods. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand why clicker trainers and trainers using primarily positive reinforcement are often so adamant that their way is the only way they will ever train a dog.

Read the article “You Can Cross Over, But You Can’t Cross Back”