Dog Training

The vast majority of dog training experts agree that the most effective and the most humane way to train your dog is through a process known as "positive reinforcement training". This is a fancy term for what is essentially a very simple idea: positive reinforcement means rewarding the behavior that you want to see repeated, and ignoring the behavior that you don't. This method is almost the opposite of some of the outdated techniques that were once very widely accepted. The old way involved physical pain and intimidation (such as hanging an aggressive dog up by her collar), or other inhumane methods of aversion therapy (such as shock collars for barking).

Positive reinforcement methods work with your dog not against them. They recognize that a dog's natural instinct is to please you. Lessons are more meaningful for dogs, and they tend to learn better, when a dog is able to figure out what you're asking by themselves(as opposed to learning "down" by being forced repeatedly into a prone position, while the word "down" is repeated over and over). When you use positive reinforcement training, you're allowing the dog the time and opportunity to use his own brain.

Here are some ways to facilitate the training process:
1. Use meaningful rewards. Dogs can get bored pretty quickly with just a pat on the head and a "good dog!" In fact, many dogs don't even like being patted on the head! Watch their expressions and see how most will duck or shy away when a hand moves towards their head. To maintain the quality of your pet's learning, use tempting rewards for their good behavior. 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 to powerfully and reliably .
2. Use proper timing. When your dog obeys a command, you must mark the behavior so that, when she gets that treat in her mouth, she understands exactly what behavior it was that earned her the treat. Some people use a clicker for this: a small metal device, that emits a distinct "click" when pressed. The clicker is clicked at the exact moment that a dog performs the desired behavior (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 behavior: 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.
3. 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. Even the smartest dogs don't understand English - they need to learn, through consistent repetition, the actions associated with a particular phrase. Her rate of obedience will be much better if you choose one particular phrase and use it every time you wish her to enact a certain behavior for you.
4. How to reward your dog meaningfully - All dogs have their favorite treats and preferred demonstrations of physical affection. Some dogs will do backflips for a dried liver snippet; other dogs just aren't 'chow hounds' (big eaters) and 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. 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. 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.
5. 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 behavior 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. Contemporary belief in dog training states 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 behavior 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 behavior(s) eliciting no response at all, but other behaviors (the right response) eliciting massive amounts of positive attention from you.

Recommended Reading - Hopefully this article 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 behaviors, as well as obedience work and 'tricks', SitStayFetch covers a vast variety of topics in minute detail - all round, an invaluable manual for dog owners everywhere. You can check out SitStayFetch by clicking on the link below: SitStayFetch

This site is selling online dog training videos but they offer a free one at the top of their web page. It shows you step-by-step how to teach your dog several tricks. Pretty cool! Take a look.
Click Here!

Join YouPet.com FREE! A Global Pet Community!

SitStayFetch presents an detailed look at how to prevent or deal with the more common behavioral problems seen in dogs. As the owner of a somewhat troubled hound myself, I've spent a lot of time on the internet looking for reliable resources on how to deal with some of the issues I've faced. I have to say that this is one of the best resources I've found.

The information is actually reliable. Written by an experienced, professional dog trainer, you can relax in the knowledge that all the advice and tips included are tried and true, and come from the author's real-life experiences.

What's Covered?

There is a very impressive range of information packed into this course. It isn't just the problem behaviors that are covered: the book starts off with advice for new-owners and those just considering a dog (how to choose a puppy/dog, the best places to get one from, breed information, puppy/dog-proofing your home, the first vet visit, housetraining, etc). Then it moves on to the more advanced stuff: behavioral problems (such as chewing, excessive barking, aggression, dominance, digging, and separation anxiety, just to mention a few), intermediate-level obedience commands, health-related dog problems (allergies, fleas, heatstroke, cat/dog coexistence, and so forth), and advanced commands and tricks.

Other Particularly Good Topics

Besides the contents listed above, there's also an impressive section on "dog whispering", which you've probably heard of. It is a method of training based on a philosophy of clear communication and mutual respect. Cesar Millan ("The Dog Whisperer"), has made it widely known in recent years as a humane and effective method of disciplining and training your dog. SitStayFetch has an entire section devoted to dog whispering. Author, Daniel Stevens explains the history of the technique, how to utilize your voice and body language to best advantage, and how to use these techniques to calmly, assertively, and effectively correct and train your dog. Step-by-set instructions are included for all the common commands (sit, stay, down, come, quiet, etc).

This course makes for some pretty interesting reading - and, after trying out the basics on my own mutt, I was amazed at how well the techniques suggested worked. The cost of the book is very reasonable. For just $37 you get a detailed manual on training your dog, preventing and handling behavioral problems, and a whole bunch of general knowledge advice and tips. Plus, the freebies included with this book are not only numerous, they are actually very useful! You get four bonus books, dealing with

1. Advanced housetraining and troubleshooting (including both the crate- and paper-training methods);
2. Resolving canine aggression;
3. How to groom your dog
4. How to begin training your dog for security work.

Another particularly useful freebie is a personalized consultation with a member of the Kingdom of Pets team. If you've got an issue with your dog that you'd like some individual attention on, you can send them a quick email and receive a thorough, personalized reply full of expert advice and practical tips.

SitStayFetch: A Thumbnail Sketch
Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this dog training package. I've owned dogs on and off my whole life but I've learned more from this manual than I had picked up in a lifetime of contact with dogs. For instance, do you know how to stop your dog from pulling and fighting the leash, without using a choke-chain? Well, I do - but I didn't until I got my hands on a copy of this book. The training techniques in this book present a refreshing, down-to-earth, common-sense, approach to training your dog. Some techniques take a little more effort (the dog whispering as an example) but yield some dramatic results. I liked the way that more than one training technique is detailed, to allow the readers flexibility in choosing the techniques that best suits them and their dogs.

I have no qualms in recommending this training package to anybody who lives with a dog, or is even thinking about it. You don't have to have a "problem pet" for the manual to be of use to you: often it will help you avoid problems before they start.

Bottom line: I highly recommend it!

Click the link below to purchase or learn more