Dog Training Secrets

Dog Training Secrets

 

Knowing when to praise, when to ignore, and when to redirect is CRUCIAL in training your dog!  Understanding how dogs learn and why they react to a stimulus can prevent and/or repair undesirable behaviors and develop desired behaviors.  If you understand and employ the following concepts, you will unlock the secrets of training. 

 

1. Think like dog, not a human.  A dog acts and reacts immediately to a situation.  They don't plan ahead, and they also don't feel remorse.
2. A dog knows he is a dog.  Owners confuse the dog when they treat him like a child. 
3. Become an effective leader.  A dog is hardwired to fit into in a pack where the role of leader and follower are strictly defined.  If humans are not good leaders, a dog will assume the leadership role, which causes behavior issues that require professional help. 
4. Good leaders are consistent.  All it takes is one person allowing bad behaviors to sabotage training.  This is unfair and will delay or prevent learning.    
5. Dogs need structure and rules to live harmoniously. 
6. Dogs need repetition and ritual to learn effectively.
7. A dog misbehaves 10 times.  If you stop that behavior 5 out of 10 times, you will NEVER change behavior.  If you stop it 8 out of 10 times, you will gradually change that behavior.  10 out of 10 is better, but not realistic. 
8. Never give a command you cannot immediately enforce.  Command and action should happen simultaneously for learning to occur.  Sit should mean sit, the first time. 
9. Positive training does not mean permissive.
10. Build a foundation of respect, not fear.
11. It is easier to build a puppy than to fix a dog.  Set the rules and start training the day your pup comes home.   
12. Dogs want rewards and attention more than anything else.  Food, water, shelter, toys, play interaction, touch, and praise are rewards that dogs seek.  Dogs do not engage in unrewarding behaviors.  
13. Learn to read your dog and create a balanced training program that fits your dog's personality.  A technique that works on one, may backfire on the other. 

 

A person has 4 choices when responding to an action by their dog:  1) do nothing (ignoring), 2) do something neutral (redirection), 3) do something good (praise) or 4) do something bad.  We do not want you to do something bad, so throw out your rolled-up newspaper, and learn how to correct properly. 

 

It comes down to understanding the basics of how learning occurs.  A reward increases behavior, a punishment decreased behaviors.  A dog will not engage in behaviors that do not have some form of reward.  Basics of learning are:  POSITIVE means presenting a stimulus (praise, treat) NEGATIVE means removing a stimulus (removal of attention or physical praise)  REINFORCEMENT increases a behavior (more effective when intermittent)  PUNISHMENT decreases a behavior  (more effective when consistent)

 

2008 Written by Susan Jakobs:  Owner of Midwest Canine Academy, Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.  Visit www.dogbuilders.com or www.midwestcanineacademy.com  or call 815-590-8008