There are about the same number of techniques to train a dog as there are dogs to train. It seems like there is always a new system, style or philosophy being pushed on new pet owners. Everyday there is a new book on dog training being published and older training systems are being brought back. Check a bookstore or google it and you will be overwhelmed with the number of techniques used for dog training nowadays.
Despite the wide array of techniques, just about every effective dog training system is implemented using positive reinforcement techniques. Scare tactics like intimidation, humiliation and punishment have been proven to be ineffective time and time again. At Clean Feet Pet Clean Up we believe that ANY dog training system, style or philosophy will see faster and better results if the dog training process implements three easy practices.
*Quick tip – Wait at least 1 hour after eating to training your puppy. Letting your puppy poop before training will help the handler’s stress level. Without worrying about dog waste removal it allows you to focus 100% on your puppy’s training.
Start Young
We’ve all been told a million times we can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That popular old saying is not entirely true. Any dog, regardless of age, can learn new things through proper dog training. However, like most old sayings, it has been remembered because it contains a some truth. Dogs are no different than humans in the aspect that if you start training at an early age its easier than trying to break old habits and start new ones. The earlier you are able to start your dog training, the more effective the training will be.
Puppies will learn at a much faster rate and do not have ingrained behaviors that must be broken. Thus, any training program is sure to be more effective when training a puppy versus a mature dog. In the event that you weren’t able to train your dog when he or she was younger, don’t worry. Training is still effective for older animals. However, if you do have the chance, start training early and you’ll reap the benefits of increased effectiveness at an early age.
Stay Gentle
Dogs are social creatures and create a genuine connection to their owners. That connection or bond is at the core of successful dog training. A dog who trusts his owner and who sincerely wants to please his owner is far more likely to remain attentive, consistent and compliant during the training program. Which in turn leads to a well-behaved, well-mannered and predictable dog or puppy.
A failure to act gently jeopardizes the training program by undermining the quality of the dog/owner relationship. Once you “break your dogs spirit” from being abusive and aggressive he or she may never respect you and only fear you. At that point the training needs to stop, the dog needs a new owner or the owner needs to change their attitude towards the dog and start showing it LOVE immediately!
Obviously, aggressive behavior also contradicts the core principles of most dog training techniques. Behavior training is established on the idea that positive reinforcement techniques best modify dog behavior. Consistency is key when training any animal. Consistent training leads to consistent behavior. Besides, there are ethical and moral concerns about mistreating an animal, in addition to the practical concerns. Treat your dog like you want to be treated. IF you treat your dog with love and respect, they will go to the end for you…after all they are man’s best friend.
A patient dog owner will end up with a partner for a trainee instead of an opponent. Rather than a battle of the wills, training can become a cooperative exercise. Under those conditions, training tends to take less time and be far more effective with a much higher success rate.
Emphasize Prevention
All too often, training a dog devolves into a series of constant corrections for behaviors the owner finds unsuitable. This reduces the pleasure found in dog training as well as its overall effectiveness. A strong emphasis on preventing inappropriate behaviors can reduce the need for corrective efforts and can encourage a faster learning curve.
The main goal with prevention training is to intervene before a problem is created instead of simply responding to the problem. Instead of waiting for the dog to make a mistake to correct, the prevention minded trainer will keep a close watch to see any signs of bad behavior and will intervene early to prevent them from happening in the first place.
This technique eliminates the dog trainer’s need to waste time on corrections and allows time to place emphasis on positive reinforcement training. This is critical in keeping a program on track and accelerating its successes rate. It also decreases frustration throughout the training process making it a more enjoyable dog training program.
Although there is a multitude of training strategies to choose from, all of them can have their effectiveness increased with the three secrets shared above. By starting early, remaining gentle and emphasizing prevention, any reasonable method of dog training will show faster and better results. These three secrets, if always operating in the background, serve to push the effectiveness of any training technique further than one could ever imagine.
Clean Feet Pet Clean Up
#CleanFeetPetCleanUp
Pingback: Dog Training: Increase Productivity Now! | pets...