DOG TRAINING TECHNIQUES

Dog Training Techniques

This article will look at each technique in more detail to help you decide which training technique is right for you and your dog. Training your dog is very important if you want to have a well behaved dog. Your dog is a member of the family and like other members of the family he must learn the rules of the household. There are basically three techniques for training your dog. They are the traditional dog training, positive reinforcement training and mixed training techniques.

The traditional training techniques have been around since World War I because it was developed to train war dogs. This type of training employs the techniques of negative reinforcement and punishment. Shock collars or prong collars are frequently used in this type of training. The traditional techniques have the advantage of giving consistent results. However, each dog has their own personality and you must be careful when you use these techniques because you could end up with a dog that bites you or becomes scared of you. This is not the goal in dog training. The goal is to get your dog to obey your commands.

The next type of dog training is the positive reinforcement method. This method involves rewarding the dog every time he exhibits the correct behavior. When he sits on command you will praise him and give him a treat. If he doesn't sit when commanded you do nothing. Some dog trainers swear by positive reinforcement techniques. They say the dog learns faster and more consistently with this type of training. A method that is popular to use in conjuction with positive reinforcement is clicker training. A clicker is a device that makes a "clicking" sound when squeezed. The clicker is used to mark the exact moment the dog performed the desired behavior. This type of training is enjoyable for both the owner and the dog.

The third popular dog training technique is the mixed training technique which is a combination of negative and positive reinforcement. This type of training is used frequently to train dogs for specific roles, such as attack dogs or protection dogs.

Another method that is coming to light is the use of canine ethology. This is not really classified as training, but is based upon the natural behaviors of the dog. The premise is to assert yourself as the leader of the pack. You must become the alpha dog whom all the other dogs in the pack submit to. This is done through proper body language and sounds. There is no concrete evidence that this works and more studies need to be performed.

It is very important that you know what you are doing before you start any dog training program. Get a few good dog training books written by someone who has been in the business for awhile. Follow the advice in the books and keep your training sessions short and consistent. Most of all, show your dog love and affection.