Positive dog training tips
Source: andrew.petro
Positive dog training is completely different to using punishment to train a dog. Punishment-based training can have many negative consequences for puppies and prove ineffective for older dogs. Positive dog training can be used to correct many different behavioural problems, teach basic commands and teach a dog to be housetrained. It is based on a system of encouragement and rewards rather than a punitive system. Using negativity and punishment to train a dog makes it outwardly submissive but inwardly rebellious, and can lead to numerous problems down the line. It's a great way to promote good behaviour in your dog, and rid them of their bad behaviour in the most effective and positive way.
Some cue words you may use to train your dog:
Sit
Stay
Off
Come
Top 10 tips for positive dog training:
- Understand your dog - This may sound silly, but try to put yourself in your dog's mental position. Try to establish what is causing them to behave badly. The more you try to understand your dog and why it behaves in certain ways, the more effective your training will be.
- Lead - You need to demonstrate to the dog that you are the leader of the house, not them. Although some dogs don't act like it, they actually like you to act as their leader. By acting positively and teaching them new things, your dog will start to respect you as a leader. Hitting your dog will not help you gain their respect.
- Have clear and simple cues - Anyone with a dog knows that they are intelligent animals, but it is still important to keep it simple, particularly when you are just starting to train a puppy. You can use a clicker, a sound that the dog will relate to their good behaviour. As soon as your dog behaves positively, you can press the clicker or use a short cue like "Yes" just before you give them their reward. They will then associate this cue with their good behaviour and start to understand that they have acted according to your wishes, which accelerates the learning process.
- Reward instantly - This keeps both you and your dog happy. They will understand that they have done something to impress you because they have received a reward from you. The association between the reward and their good behaviour encourages your dog to behave well.
- Be consistent - Pick a strategy, and stick to it. If you're confusing yourself you will undoubtedly be confusing your dog. The simpler you make the training, the better for both of you. This will also help you to achieve faster results.
- Stay positive - Dogs are very perceptive creatures. If you are getting impatient and fed up, it's probably time to take a break from the training. Your dog will realise that you are not happy and become less interested in the training.
- Make it enjoyable - Dogs have a great capacity for learning, provided that you are both enjoying it, and you don't make it too demanding for them, particularly when you start the training.
- Be patient - Every dog won't improve over night. Like humans, they are creatures of habit, so if a bad habit is very ingrained and has been present for years, it will probably take a bit of time to get rid of.
- Be realistic - By setting small targets for improvement, you are making good behaviour much more likely. Don't expect them to develop several new habits a day. Touching on the earlier points, consistency and patience are vital. Take "Baby steps" and you'll see drastic improvements, even if it's over a prolonged period of time.
- Remain neutral - Don't let emotion cloud your training. As mentioned earlier, dogs are very perceptive animals, and can usually read your emotions and body language without you needing to say a word. Keeping emotion out of your training will ensure much faster results.
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