Article Surfing Archive

Dogs are an integral part of our lives. They have the capacity to provide us with companionship and a devotion that is difficult to match in any other animal. And in return they ask for little: a good meal, exercise, a warm place to sleep and above all attention from its owner.

Today I've been trying to say out more about the dog training. Many dog owners, knowingly or unknowingly, use the psychological principles of operant conditioning to train their dogs. Operant conditioning is an analytical response to a given situation. If a dog owner reinforces behavior, it will persist.

Giving a dog a treat for sitting, lying down or staying is reinforcing positive behavior. The dog knows that if he obeys his owner's command, he'll receive a treat. His behavior is analytical: predictable, planned and deliberate. "If I sit, I'll get a treat." Any behavior, reinforced in any way, is bound to continue. The key is to be aware: reinforce positive behaviors and eliminate the negative ones.

Dog basic training experts agree that several basic points should be kept in mind when introducing Rover to the ways of your household. These tips will help both you and your new dog avoid misunderstandings:

1. Keep training sessions short (no more than 15 minutes). As soon as the dog appears to lose interest, stop.

2. Start training as soon as your new dog arrives home. Don't let him get settled into bad habits.

3. Invest in a decent training book. You'll refer to it often.

4. Correct poor behavior and praise good behavior immediately. Small treats are effective in reinforcing your training message. 5. Be prepared with the proper equipment and treats.

If you wish to involve your children in the training of a new pet, be sure to supervise carefully. Watch for consistency and for mixed messages.

A dog may feel confused if too many people participate in his training. One adult should be in charge of initial training, while other family members enforce the rules you've established for your dog. If children are unable to follow the rules you set down, you should put off letting them walk the dog on their own until your dog is fully trained and obedient.

Teaching your dog to obey you isn't as difficult as many people think. A combination of verbal commands, hand signals, and rewards is usually the most effective way to communicate with your dog. Once you've opened the doors to communication, you'll find that training Rex or Lady is much easier.

Before you try teaching your dog a command, look over the following guidelines for your own behavior:

1. Be consistent. Don't tell your dog to "sit" and follow through only occasionally. It's not okay for your dog to listen to you only some of the time. A well-behaved dog obeys commands consistently. 2. Speak in a confident tone. Don't ask, "Heel?" You're in charge. Tell him what to do. 3. Initially, feel free to reward with food and praise. Dole out treats less frequently after your dog knows the command. 4. Use the leash as an aid to help you maintain your position as leader.

5. Avoid confusion by saying one thing ("No!"), but communicating the opposite meaning (patting your dog's head).

6. End all training sessions on a good note. Finish with a command your dog knows, and praise him liberally when he obeys.

Dog training may require some effort on your part but in the end it will definitely be worth it. You will have a pet that you will be proud to own.