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.

Dog training is particularly based on a functional
communication between the human being and his dog. The
generally accepted methods these days are in direct
contrast to some of the now-outdated but once-popular
techniques for dog training, some of which were frankly
abhorrent: physical pain and intimidation (such as hanging
an aggressive dog up by her collar), or inhumane methods of
aversion therapy (such as shock collars for barking).

Positive reinforcement works with your dog. Her natural
instinct is to please you – the theory of positive
reinforcement recognises that lessons are more meaningful
for dogs, and tend to “stick” more, when a dog is able to
figure out what you’re asking under her own steam (as
opposed to, say, learning “down” by being forced repeatedly
into a prone position, while the word “down” is repeated at
intervals).

When you use positive reinforcement training, you’re
allowing her the time and the opportunity to use her own
brain. Some ways for you to facilitate the training
process:

Dog training is communication — showing your dog how you
want him to act in a way he understands.

The first part of dog training is to teach your dog to sit.
The next part of dog training is to teach your dog to stay.

Use meaningful rewards.

Dogs quickly get bored with a routine pat on the head and a
“good girl” Actually patting is a human thing that dogs do
not readily understand – or even like. Just watch their
expressions and notice how most will baulk or shy away when
a hand descends towards their head. Gentle stroking they do
understand, to them it is reminiscent of the licking their
mothers did when they were very young.

The best ways to stroke your dog:

Most dogs really like having the base of the tail (the
lowest part of their back, just before the tail starts)
scratched gently; having their chests rubbed or scratched
(right between the forelegs) is usually a winner, too. You
can also target the ears: gently rub the ear flap between
your thumb and finger, or scratch gently at the base.

To keep the quality of your dog’s learning at a high
standard, use tempting incentives for good behaviour. Food
treats and physical affection are what dog trainers refer
to as “primary incentives” – in other words, they’re both
significant rewards that most dogs respond powerfully and
reliably to.

Use the right timing.

When your dog obeys a command, you must mark the behaviour.
that you’re going to reward so that, when she gets that
treat in her mouth, she understands exactly what behaviour.
it was that earned her the reward.

Some people use a clicker for this: a small metal
sound-making device, which emits a distinct “click” when
pressed. The clicker is clicked at the exact moment that a
dog performs the desired behaviour. (so, if asking a dog to
sit, you’d click the clicker just as the dog’s bottom hits
the ground). You can also use your voice to mark desired
behaviour.: just saying “Yes!” in a happy, excited tone of
voice will work perfectly. Make sure that you give her the
treat after the marker – and remember to use the marker
consistently. If you only say “Yes!” or use the clicker
sometimes, it won’t have any significance to your dog when
you do do it; she needs the opportunity to learn what that
marker means (i.e., that she’s done something right
whenever she hears the marker, and a treat will be
forthcoming very shortly). So be consistent with your
marker.

Be consistent with your training commands, too. When you’re
teaching a dog a command, you must decide ahead of time on
the verbal cue you’re going to be giving her, and then
stick to it. So, when training your dog to not jump up on
you, you wouldn’t ask her to “get off”, “get down”, and
“stop jumping”, because that would just confuse her; you’d
pick one phrase, such as “No jump”, and stick with it.

To even the smartest dog English is a second language –
they need to learn, through consistent repetition, the
actions associated with a particular phrase. The rate of
obedience will be much better if you choose one particular
phrase and use it every time you wish her to reproduce a
certain behaviour. for you.

How to reward your dog meaningfully:

All dogs have their favourite treats and preferred
demonstrations of physical affection. Some dogs will do
somersaults for a dried liver snippet; other dogs prefer to
be rewarded through a game with a cherished toy, or through
some physical affection from you. You’ll probably already
have a fair idea of how much she enjoys being touched and
played with – each dog has a distinct level of energy and
demonstrativeness, just like humans do.

As far as food is concerned: It’s not hard to figure out
what your dog likes, just experiment with different food
treats until you find one that she really goes nuts for.
When it comes to food, trainers have noted an interesting
thing: dogs actually respond most reliably to training
commands when they receive treats sporadically, instead of
predictably. Intermittent treating seems to keep dogs on
their toes, and more interested in what might be on offer -
it prevents them from growing tired of the food rewards,
and from making a conscious decision to forego a treat.

How to correct your dog meaningfully:

The great thing about positive reinforcement training is
that it doesn’t require you to do anything that might go
against the grain. You won’t be called upon to put any
complex, weighty correctional theories into practice, or be
required to undertake any harsh punitive measures.

When it comes to positive reinforcement training, all you
have to do is ignore the behaviour. that you don’t wish to
see repeated. Not getting any attention (because you’re
deliberately ignoring her) is enough to make just about any
dog pretty miserable, and thus is a powerful correctional
tool. The current conventional wisdom suggests that we
should simply ignore incorrect responses to a training
command – that, with no reinforcement from us (yes, even
negative attention – like verbal corrections – counts as
reinforcement: to some dogs, negative attention is better
than no attention at all), the dog will stop the behaviour.
of her own accord.

The bigger the fuss you make over her when she does get it
right, the clearer the connection will be between a
particular behaviour.(s) eliciting no response at all, but
other behaviours (the right response) eliciting massive
amounts of positive attention from you.

Dog training is trust — teaching your dog he can feel safe
and know that you will take care of him. Proper dog
training is one of the most important aspects of owning a
well adjusted pet.

Recommended Reading:

Hopefully this introduction has given you a good basic
insight into the more helpful attitudes and techniques to
use when training your dog. However, the subject remains
pretty complex, and it’s a good idea to learn as much about
effective training techniques as possible. One excellent
resource for dog training is SitStayFetch: the ultimate
training and knowledge database for dog owners.

With a focus on preventing and dealing with problem
behaviours, as well as obedience work and ‘tricks’,
http://tinyurl.com/2af5md