The Dog Blog

Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog.  Positive reinforcement training is so important that it is the only method used to train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in circuses and in the entertainment industry.

Proponents of positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their methods, and it is true that the vast majority of dogs respond well to these training methods.

Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years, but chances are some sort of reward training between humans and dogs has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.

One reason that positive reinforcement training is so effective is that is uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected of it.Provide the dog with a reward, most commonly in the form of a dog food treat, but it might also be a scratch behind the ears, a pat on the head or a rub under the chin when the dog performs the desired behavior.Always consistently reward the dog for doing the right thing, this is key.

When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some knowledge of the history of humans and dogs is very insightful.Years ago, wolf pups were tamed and used for protections from predators as alarm systems and later for herding and guarding livestock.

It is possible that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most easily trained, or it is possible that these early dogs were orphaned or abandoned wolf pups.  Whatever their origin, there is little doubt today that the vast variety of dogs we see today have their origin in the humble wolf.

Wolf packs, like packs of wild dogs, operate on a strict pack hierarchy. Since wolf and dog packs hunt as a group, this type of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the survival of the species.The hierarchy of a pack rarely changes with the exception of an injury or death and each dog know it’s status in the pack.

Every dog, therefore, is geared by nature to look to the pack leader for guidance.  The basis of all good dog training, including reward based training, is for the trainer to set him or herself up as the pack leader.The pack leader is much more than just the one who directs all the subordinates, or is the dominant dog.  More importantly, the pack leader provides leadership and protection, and his or her leadership is vital to the success and pack survival.

It is important for the dog to see itself as part of a pack, to recognize the human as the leader of that pack, and to respect his or her authority.  Some dogs are much easier to dominate than others.  If you watch a group of puppies playing for a little while, you will quickly recognize the dominant and submissive personalities.

A dog with a more submissive personality will generally be easier to train using positive reinforcement, since he or she will not want to challenge the trainer for leadership.  Even dominant dogs, however, respond very well to positive reinforcement.  There are, in fact, few dogs that do not respond well to positive reinforcement, also known as reward training.

Positive reinforcement is also the best way to retrain a dog that has behavior problems, especially one that has been abused in the past. When working with an abused dog it can be very difficult to obtain their respect and trust. Positive reinforcement is a much superior training technique than other at creating this bond.

No matter what breed of dog you are working with, chances are it can be helped with positive reinforcement training methods. Based training methods on respect and trust, rather than on pressure and fear, is the best way to get the most from any dog.

Related Websites

• Search Dog Training- Lives Depend On It
• Your Dog Training Guide » Dog Behaviour Problems — Master How To …
• Low Cost Dog Training ? How To Get Professional Dog Training …
• Secret dog training tip- teaching 'back up' for leash walking …
• SAN DIEGO DOG TRAINING – SIT MEANS SIT | Aggressive Dog Training