Psychologists have been promoting positive reinforcement as a way to change undesirable behavior to acceptable behavior in humans for some time. The method can be described simply as rewarding behavior that is considered acceptable and ignoring behavior that isn't acceptable. Animal trainers have learned lately that this same method works with non-humans.
Recently I watched a couple of young ladies putting a Killer Whale through her act and it struck me that the only way that huge animal could have been trained to do that was using the positive reinforcement method. If you are ready to train your new puppy you can take the advice that's widely accepted among the vast majority of dog training experts today: the most effective and humane way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement training.
Some of the popular dog training techniques of the past are completely opposite from today's preferred method. Some of these outdated methods are now considered abusive and are avoided by all who wish to treat their dogs in a humane manner. Using the more humane positive reinforcement method you can have a puppy that is a well-trained and a loved member of the family.
Puppies are easily confused when given commands. The thing you have in your favor as you train your puppy is that there is a strong desire on her part to please you. Just be sure that she knows each time what you want her to do. To accomplish this you must use the same words each time for the same command. If you want her to sit don't say "sit here" one time and "sit down" another. Always use the same word or phrase. Your puppy will soon know exactly what is expected and behave accordingly.
Use meaningful rewards to facilitate the training process. Dogs get bored pretty quickly with a routine pat on the head and a "good girl". Most dogs don't even like being patted on the head; watch their expressions and notice how most will balk or shy away when a hand descends towards their head. If you want to use touching your puppy as a reward we have found that 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, it's also good to use tempting incentives for 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 powerfully and reliably to.
Rewards work when training your puppy, but they must be given at just the right time. When your puppy responds to a command with the correct behavior, is the moment to give the reward. She will soon make the connection between her response to your command and the reward she receives
Your verbal response can also mark the appropriate behavior and then give her the treat. You must be consistent in this too. If you say "yes" in a happy voice and then give her the treat, you must do this each time she follows a command. Saying "yes" to her response to commands only occasionally will not mean anything to her..
For puppy training to be totally successful you and your puppy must both find it pleasant. Do not schedule training time when you are exhausted; be sure that your rewards are something she is willing to work for. - 31866
Recently I watched a couple of young ladies putting a Killer Whale through her act and it struck me that the only way that huge animal could have been trained to do that was using the positive reinforcement method. If you are ready to train your new puppy you can take the advice that's widely accepted among the vast majority of dog training experts today: the most effective and humane way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement training.
Some of the popular dog training techniques of the past are completely opposite from today's preferred method. Some of these outdated methods are now considered abusive and are avoided by all who wish to treat their dogs in a humane manner. Using the more humane positive reinforcement method you can have a puppy that is a well-trained and a loved member of the family.
Puppies are easily confused when given commands. The thing you have in your favor as you train your puppy is that there is a strong desire on her part to please you. Just be sure that she knows each time what you want her to do. To accomplish this you must use the same words each time for the same command. If you want her to sit don't say "sit here" one time and "sit down" another. Always use the same word or phrase. Your puppy will soon know exactly what is expected and behave accordingly.
Use meaningful rewards to facilitate the training process. Dogs get bored pretty quickly with a routine pat on the head and a "good girl". Most dogs don't even like being patted on the head; watch their expressions and notice how most will balk or shy away when a hand descends towards their head. If you want to use touching your puppy as a reward we have found that 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, it's also good to use tempting incentives for 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 powerfully and reliably to.
Rewards work when training your puppy, but they must be given at just the right time. When your puppy responds to a command with the correct behavior, is the moment to give the reward. She will soon make the connection between her response to your command and the reward she receives
Your verbal response can also mark the appropriate behavior and then give her the treat. You must be consistent in this too. If you say "yes" in a happy voice and then give her the treat, you must do this each time she follows a command. Saying "yes" to her response to commands only occasionally will not mean anything to her..
For puppy training to be totally successful you and your puppy must both find it pleasant. Do not schedule training time when you are exhausted; be sure that your rewards are something she is willing to work for. - 31866
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