Dog Training: the Positive Reinforcement Method
Dog Training: the Positive Reinforcement Method
Article by Susan Brewer
Its generally agreed among dog training experts that the most effective, humane way to train dogs is through positive reinforcement training. This is a fancy phrase for a very simple theory: Provide positive reinforcement (rewards) for behaviors that you want repeated, and ignore those you dont.
This method is quite different from now-outdated but once popular techniques for dog training, many of which were abhorrent. Physical pain and intimidation (e.g., hanging an aggressive dog by the collar), or aversion therapy (e.g., shock collars) are not good ways to train a dog. Positive reinforcement works because a dogs natural instinct is to please.
Positive reinforcement recognizes that lessons are more meaningful for dogs, and are retained, when a dog is able to understand what you want him to do. Dogs dont respond well to being forced into a prone position while you repeat the word down over and over again. Positive reinforcement training gives the dog time and opportunity to use his brain. To facilitate the training process: · Use meaningful rewards – Dogs get bored with a routine pat on the head and/or a girl. In fact, manydogs donlike being patted on the headwatch your dogs reaction the next time you pat him on the head, most dogs will balk or pull away when a hand descends toward their heads. To keep your dogdesire to learn at a peak, use incentives for good behavior. Food treats and physical affection are the primary incentives of choice for most dog trainers. They are both rewards that elicit powerful responses.· Use the right timing. When your dog obeys a command, you must reinforce the behavior right away so that when he gets the treat, he understands exactly what behavior earned the reward. If you use a clicker or cricket (a small metal device that emits a distinct click when pressed) when you offer the treat, the dog will begin to associate the noise with both the reward andthe desired action soon the dog will execute the command when the clicker is sounded. Example: Ask your dog to SIT. Just as the dogbottom hits the ground, click the cricket and offer the treat. Soon, when you click the cricket, he will sit.
You can also use your voice to reinforce or mark desired behavior: Saying !in a happy, excited tone of voice will work. Just be sure that you give her the treat right after the marker; remember to use the marker consistently. If you only say ! some of the timeor use the clicker occasionally, your dog will have difficulty understanding what you want him to do; he needs consistency to learn what the markers means (i.e., that the behavior executed when the marker was given was correct, and that a treat will be forthcoming). · Be consistent with your training commands. When youteaching a dog a command, you must decide ahead of time on the verbal cue yoube using for that command going forward. Example: When training your dog not to jump on people, dont use several phrases (get off, get down, stop jumping) at the same time because it will be confusing. Pick one phrase such as Dont Jump! and stick with it.
Even the smartest dogs donunderstand English; they need to learn, through repetition, the desired actions associated with a particular phrase. A dog will be much more obedient if you choose one phrase and use it every time you want him to execute a certain behavior. · Provide meaningful rewards. All dogs have favorite treats and prefer certain demonstrations of physical affection over others. Some dogs will do back flips for a dried liver snippet while other dogs just arenchow hounds, would rather be rewarded with a game, or some physical affection. You probably already know how much your dog enjoys interacting with you, so use what works. Remember, each dog has a distinct level of energy and demonstrativeness, just like humans. · The best ways to stroke your dog: Most dogs really like having the base of the tail (the lowest part of the back where it joins the tail) scratched gently; scratching or rubbing their chests right between the forelegs is also usually a winner. You can also target earsgently rubbing the ear flap between your thumb and finger, or scratching gently at the base. · Food isnt hard to figure out: Experiment with different food treats until you find one that your dog really loves. Trainers have noted that dogs actually respond to training commands best when they receive treats sporadically, instead of predictably. Intermittent treats keep dogs on their toes, interested in what might be in the offing, and it keeps them from growing tired of food rewards to the point that they make a conscious decision to forego the treat. · How to correct your dog – The great thing about positive reinforcement training is that it doesn’t require that you do anything you might find offensive. You won’t be asked to put complex correctional theories into practice, or be required to take harsh, punitive measures. All you have to do is ignore the behavior that you don’t want repeated. Getting noattention is enough to make most dogs pretty miserable. Thats what makes this such a powerful correctional tool. With noreinforcement from us, the dog will stop the behavior. Verbal corrections can be construed as reinforcement to some dogsto them, negative attention is better than no attention at all. The bigger the fuss you make when he does something right, the clearer the connection will be to acceptable behaviors. Conversely, no response at all tells the dog that he has done something unacceptable.
Hopefully this article has given you some ideas for positive reinforcement training for your dog. Theres no denying that the subject is complex, but learning as much as you can about effective training techniques is the first step to success.
About the Author
Sue Brewer
For more information on other Dog Training methods visit the Toilet Train A Puppy website where you will discover other Dog Training Methodshttp://www.toilettrainapuppy.com
A Fun Fact...
Powered By WPFacts
