| Learn How To Train Your Dog
Dog training is not necessarily a difficult
process but it is a process which requires a great deal of patience as well as
the ability to interpret which types of training techniques are most effective
for the particular dog you are training. There are a number of different methods
which can be used to train a dog. Some of these methods include the positive
reward training method, the method of training with praise and respect
and even fear training methods. While many trainers will favor one
particular method over another for training a dog many will also agree that
sometimes it is necessary to train a dog using a combination of these methods.
Additionally, it is sometimes necessary to adapt one method to be more effective
for training a dog who is not responding well to any of the particular methods.
This article will discuss these three training methods and will also provide
information on how training methods can be combined effectively.
The positive reward training method is one of the most widely used training
methods. This includes clicker training, rewarding a dog with food for
displaying a desired behavior and even rewarding a dog with a toy or play for
displaying a desired behavior. The general principle behind this method of
training is to ask the dog to perform a specific behavior and then reward him
with a click, a treat or a toy when the dog complies with the request. This
method is very effective because the dog is motivated to complete the desired
behavior and receive the reward. However, some dog trainers do not prefer this
method because it encourages the dog to obey commands because a reward is being
offered as opposed to because it will please the owner.
Consider teaching a dog to sit using the positive reward training method.
The trainer may hold a small treat or a ball in his hand as a reward and use the
reward to lure the dog into a sitting position while giving the command, “Sit.”
Once the dog sits the trainer would immediately praise the dog by saying, “Good
sit,” and giving the dog the treat. The trainer may repeat this procedure
several times during the first training session, rewarding the dog with the
treat or the toy each time the dog responds correctly. The trainer will most
likely try to end the first training session on a positive note with the dog
responding correctly and being rewarded. Training sessions should be kept
relatively short to avoid boredom. After approximately 10-15 minutes the trainer
and dog can take a break and play for awhile. The trainer may repeat training
sessions with the dog several times throughout the day and for several days in a
row until the behavior is fully learned. At this time the dog should be
responding to the sit command regularly and will probably still be rewarded with
the treat or toy each time he obeys the command. After awhile the trainer can
work on phasing out the reward so it is not expected each time the dog follows
the command. The trainer may still reward the dog occasionally for offering the
desired behavior but no longer needs to lure the dog and offer a treat each time
the behavior is performed.
Clicker training is a version of reward training which involves using a
handheld device which emits a clicking sound to reward the dog for displaying
desired behaviors. The trainer starts out by teaching the dog the sound of the
clicker is a good thing. This is often called loading the clicker. The trainer
may start out by clicking the clicker and offering the dog a treat immediately
after each click. The trainer may do this 15-20 times in the first session,
offering a small treat with each click. This will help the dog to understand the
clicker is good and will soon realize the sound of the clicker means he has done
something right. It may take several sessions of loading the clicker but once
the dog understands this it can be simple to replace the sound of the clicker
with a treat or a reward when the dog performs a desired behavior.
Training with praise is another way to train a dog. In this method the trainer
does not give the dog rewards such as food, a toy or the sound of a clicker when
the desired behavior is displayed. Instead the trainer lavishes the dog with
praise when the dog responds appropriately. This may involve using a phrase such
as, “Good dog,” speaking in a high pitched voice and petting the dog
enthusiastically. The dogs understand this behavior to indicate he has done
something right to earn praise from the trainer. Many trainers prefer this type
of training method because the dog is responding in an attempt to please the
owner as opposed to a dog who is obeying because he is seeking a reward for his
behavior. While training with praise may be considered to be the ideal method
for some trainers it is not exactly the easiest training method. This is why
reward training is considerably more popular.
Finally fear training methods should also be considered. This typically involves
scaring a dog through shouting, loud noises, throwing objects or other actions
which will invoke fear in the dog. This method is not as effective as the other
methods and can be more problematic. While there are some trainers who believe
in this type of training, many would recommend reward and praise training
instead. Fear training may produce the desired result of having a dog perform a
desired behavior but the dog will be responding out of fear as opposed to in an
effort to please the trainer.
It is sometimes necessary to combine different training methods in training one
particular dog. This may include predominantly using positive reward training
methods but occasionally incorporating some aspects of fear training for certain
behaviors. Consider a dog who is chewing on furniture regularly. The trainer may
supply the dog with appropriate chew toys and praise and reward him when he
plays with the toys but the dog may still occasionally go back to chewing on the
furniture. In this case the trainer may wish to keep an aluminum can filled with
pennies nearby and rattle the can each time the dog starts to chew on the
furniture. Alternately the trainer may clap his hands loudly or give a verbal
command such as, “No,” in a loud stern voice. The dog will be shocked by the
loud noise and will likely stop chewing the furniture each time he hears the
news. Repeating the action each time the dog attempts to chew the furniture will
help the dog to learn not do this.
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