NILIF is useful for SOME dogs in SOME situations SOME times.

Many people have a poor understanding of the principle and use poor practice because, like many "methods" it is often not taught correctly, not delivered correctly and taken to extremes.

It is also often confused with the Premack Principle, a subtle but different concept.

It wasn't called anything when I did it. It was just what Simon needed.

I think the problem is, there are so very many varying training methods, especially for dogs with issues, that sometimes a phrase gets latched on. I'd never heard of it, but it is basically what I did. If I was to sell that, I'm sure bits of it wouldn't suit all dogs...

That is a really good point & that is exactly what I feel Tilly needs.

Visions of Ben full of woe & Mia trotting off down the road with her suitcase
It is strict, I thought it was too controlling but it didn't take long to convince me seeing Tilly is so much more chilled out.

I did fail to mention that the reason I sought help from a behavourist is because my parents are staying at the moment & Tilly bit my mum's hand when she stroked her. It's a long story & although mum was asked not to stroke Tilly on the head, she approached her with both hands cupped around her face - recipe for disaster, I was mortified!

Fear not! Simon tried to bite the trainer at his first dog class! Stupid bloke strode over and tried to touch the top of his head! (He had been beaten in the past).
Simon stayed in school and he NEVER tried again!

What kind of situations is it used for?
I haven't heard of Premack Principle.. rushes of to google it!
The behaviorist hasn't actually mentioned the word "NILIF" but based on what she has told us to do - that is what I feel we are doing. She didn't call it anything in fact she just watched us doing what we do & then advised us what to do for Tilly's sake.

Well I think as someone else mentioned there are people who will take it to the extreme and then it maybe isnt so good BUT I think asking for general good manners and making things rewarding for the dog is no bad thing!

I.e, if you are being bitten for walking in your own home or for wanting to sit where she is then to ask the dog to move and lay down in a certain spot is no bad thing. I think as long as your consistent and she still has a more positive outcome with this than the previous way then its a good thing?

You really are just guilty of not being consistent with her which many owners are, which means you make things far too confusing for her. Dogs see everything in black and white, there is no grey. So every time you tell her do something and there are no consequences for non compliance, you are training her to be disobedient and also to be confused.

Most of us do it at one time or other.

All this chat to dogs just becomes like lift music and dogs tune it out.

I know many competition owners who NEVER use their dog's name EXCEPT for when they are training, they have ANOTHER name for domestic use (ie when grandchildren come round so the dog does not become desensitised to their name).

Yup when my x is around I only let him call Mia Mimi because he thinks just altering the tone of voice is enough to tell Mia all loads of comands - 'MiMiiii (come here) Meme (dont even think about doing that MEMie where are you? Mime - dont pull on the lead (after letting her pull for a min then deciding he wants her not to - then moaning that she is so good on the lead with me)
Not to mention that he uses totaly different commands and hand signals to what I have trained
- the dogs just guess something to do - they are all happy
I have just resigned to the fact that they have learnt that he speaks rubbish and when is talking to them its best just to offer a whole load of tricks and one will be the right one

men eh?

I am pretty consistant with what I expect of my dogs and any that visit. however I used a 'version' of NILIF with George. It worked for me and for her but what really made a break through was the clicker----suddenly there were no words confusing her and a straightforward deal for her actions.

Once she learnt to trust that and to trust me there was no stopping her.

rune

ROFLMAO I did larf at that, on that POSITIVE side though, he is at least altering his tone of voice, one of the most difficult things for most male handlers to do (IME).

Often when men tell their dogs "Good Dog" it is no different from when they say "Don't do that"