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.