Dog training process teaching dog
(Canis lupus familiaris) perform certain actions response certain commands dog
trained understand. It general term does not, itself, describe dog taught.
As pack animals, wild dogs natural instincts favor cooperation fellow dogs. Many domestic dogs, either instinct breeding, correctly interpret respond signals given human handler.
There methods dog training
objectives, basic obedience training specialized areas including law
enforcement, military, search rescue, hunting, working livestock, assistance
people disabilities, entertainment, dog sports protecting people property.
As pack animals, wild dogs natural instincts favor cooperation fellow dogs. Many domestic dogs, either instinct breeding, correctly interpret respond signals given human handler.
DOG TRAINING
Most dogs, matter eventual advanced
training intended purpose, live people behave ways pleasant around, keep safe,
provides safety people pets. Dogs figure basic obedience own; must trained.
The hardest training communicating
dog humane dog understands. However, underlying principle communication simple:
reward desired behavior ignoring correcting undesired behavior.
Basic pet obedience training usually
consists six behaviors:
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Recall (come, here in)
- Close (or loose-leash walking)
- Heel
Corrections never include harmful
physical force violence. Using force training controversial taken lightly, ends
behavior, applied inappropriately dogs may lead loss (enthusiasm given task),
stress, cases aggression. A handler may decide force, however standard trainers
minimum amount necessary inhibit unwanted behavior.
Basic training classes
Professional dog trainers train dogs
guardian train his dog. To effective, guardian must reinforce techniques taught
dog. Guardians dogs attend class opportunity learn work under trainers guidance.
Training effective handle dog training ensure consistent commands, methods,
enforcement. Classes help socialize dog people dogs. Training classes offered
kennels, pet stores, independent trainers.
Group classes may until puppy
completed its vaccinations 3 – 4 months age; however, trainers offer puppy
socialization classes puppies enroll immediately placed permanent homes disease
risk minimal puppies received initial vaccinations. In cases, basic training
classes accept puppies least 3 6 months however its recommended start training
soon puppy comes home. Puppies may trained individually trainer visiting dogs
home beginning early 8 weeks.
A puppy requires discipline,
consistency, patience its owner. The puppy training phase integral raising
healthy happy dog keeping safe fun home environment.
Dogs expressive may communicate
needs biting, whining, getting fidgety. Changing ones own conduct may effective
changing puppys behavior.
House training important issue
puppies. Various methods house training work although key consistent. With
regularly enforced rules, litter box, crate, paper training successful.
Posture Facilitated Relaxation (PFR)
may effective technique establish bond between handler puppy. The handler puts
puppy older 4–6 months position holds dog position exerting force maintain
position. Once puppy stops struggling relaxes, handler massages puppys neck
back.
COMMUNICATION
Fundamentally, dog training
communication. From human perspective, handler communicating dog behaviors
correct, desired, preferred circumstances behaviours undesirable.
A handler must understand
communication dog. The dog signal unsure, confused, nervous, happy, excited,
on. The emotional state dog important consideration directing training, dog
stressed distracted learn efficiently.
According Learning Theory four
important messages handler send dog:
- Reward release marker- Correct behavior. You earned reward.
- Keep signal- Correct behavior. Continue earn reward.
- No reward marker- Incorrect behavior. Try else.
- Punishment marker- Incorrect behavior. You earned punishment.
Using consistent signals words
messages enables dog understand quickly.
It important note dogs reward reward
marker. The reward marker signal tells dog earned reward. Rewards praise,
treats, play, anything dog finds rewarding. Failure reward reward marker
diminishes value reward marker makes training difficult.
These messages may communicated
verbally nonverbal signals. Mechanical clickers frequently reward marker. Hand
signals body language play important learning dogs. The meanings four signals
taught dog repetition, may form association classical conditioning dog
associates punishment marker punishment itself. Some sources contend effective
marker human voice.
Dogs generalize commands easily. A
command may work indoors confusing out-of-doors situation. The command
re-taught situation. This sometimes called cross-contextualization, meaning dog
apply whats learned contexts.
Reward punishment
Most training revolves establishing
consequences dog’s behavior. Operant conditioning defines following four types
consequences.
- Positive reinforcement adds situation increase chance behaviour exhibited again
- Negative reinforcment removes situation increase chance behaviour exhibited again.
- Positive punishment adds situation decrease chance behaviour exhibited again.
- Negative punishment removes situation decrease chance behaviour exhibited again.
Most trainers claim positive
training methods . Generally, means reward-based training increase behavior
rather physical punishment decrease bad behavior.
Rewards
Positive reinforcers anything dog
finds rewarding food treats, chance play tug toy, social interaction dogs,
owners attention. The rewarding dog finds particular reinforcer, work prepared
order obtain reinforcer. Just happy dogs accomplishment reward them.
Some dog trainers suggest treats
particularly favoured pooch. Your dog puppy may particularly enjoy liver treats
cheese (Yaremenko & Randolph, 2004). However, always treat postive
reinforcer healthy damage dog puppys overall health.
Some trainers process teaching puppy
strongly desire particular toy, order toy powerful positive reinforcer
behaviour. This process called building prey drive, commonly training Narcotics
Detection Police Service dogs. The goal produce dog work independently periods
time, hopes earning access its toy reward.
PUNISHMENT
Traditional forms punishment least
modern dog trainers. A dog generally given type punishment willfully disobeying
owner owner needs guard dogs safety serious situation. Punishment effectively
paired teaching dog desired behaviors, single solution, dog fearful unwilling
cooperate taught desired behaviors.
Punishments administered appropriate
dogs personality, age, experience physical emotional condition. Some dogs may
show signs fear anxiety harsh verbal corrections. Other dogs may ignore verbal
reprimand. Some dogs develop aversion fear water, water sprayed aversive.