There are
virtually as many approaches to training
a dog as there are dogs to train! It
seems as if every day new systems and
techniques are announced or older
methods are resurrected. Check a
bookstore shelf or do a quick internet
search and you will be overwhelmed with
the number of ways people may advocate
training a dog.
Despite the tremendous diversity of
methods, almost every successful dog
training system is premised on positive
reinforcement techniques. The once
frequent techniques involving
intimidation, humiliation and punishment
have long been abandoned in the face of
growing proof of their relative
ineffectiveness. All of the new, more
effective, recommended means of dog
training share something else in common:
their effectiveness can be enhanced
significantly by remembering three
simple secrets.
Start Young
We’ve all been told a thousand times
“you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
That popular old saying, of course, is
not entirely true. Any dog, regardless
of age, can learn new things. However,
like most old adages, it has been
remembered because it contains a kernel
of truth. Dogs, like humans, are much
more receptive to learning new behaviors
when young. The earlier you are able to
start training your dog, the more
effective the training will be.
Puppies will learn at a much faster clip
and do not have ingrained behaviors that
must be un-learned. Thus, any training
regimen is sure to be more successful
when conducted with a puppy for a
subject instead of an older dog.
If you weren’t able to start training a
particular dog when he or she was
younger, don’t fret. 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.
Remain Gentle
Dogs are social animals and develop a
real attachment to their owners. That
attachment, in large measure, is at the
heart of successful dog training. A dog
who trusts his owner and who sincerely
wants to please his companion is far
more likely to remain attentive and
compliant during the training process.
A failure to act gently jeopardizes the
training program by undermining the
quality of the dog/owner relationship.
Of course, aggressive behavior also runs
contrary to the very foundations of most
dog training techniques. Dog training is
premised on the notion that positive
reinforcement techniques best modify dog
behavior. The interjection of
inconsistent activity frustrates that
process. Furthermore, there are ethical
and moral concerns about mistreating an
animal, in addition to the practical
concerns. By making a commitment to
retain gentleness throughout the
training process one can insure they are
consistently treating their dog
appropriately.
A gentle dog owner will find himself
with an ally for a trainee rather than a
rival. Instead of 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.
Emphasize Prevention
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 behavior
reduces the need for correction efforts
and can help spur quick progress.
The basic goal of prevention 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 owner will keep close
watch to see imminent difficulties and
will intervene early to prevent them
from arising in the first place.
This technique allows one to avoid
spending undue time on correction and to
emphasize real positively reinforced
training methods, keeping a program on
track and accelerating its successes. It
also decreases frustration throughout
the training process making it more
enjoyable for both the dog and the
owner.
Although there is a multitude of
training strategies form which one can
choose, all of them can have their
effectiveness increased by adhering to
the aforementioned principles. By
starting early, remaining gentle and
emphasizing prevention, any reasonable
method of dog training can garner better
results. These three secrets, if always
operating in the background, serve to
push the effectiveness of any training
technique.
Dog Article courtesy of I-Love-Dogs.com
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