Training Your New Puppy With The Positive Reinforcement Method
Using positive reinforcement to modify behavior in humans, particularly children, has been popular for a number of years. This is just a fancy way of saying that behavior that is acceptable to you will be rewarded and unacceptable behavior will be ignored. In recent times this same method has been found to have positive effects on 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.
In the past, dog training techniques often included practices that are now considered cruel. They were based on using punishment rather than reward to correct the dog's behavior. The inhumane practices of the past are not the best way to train your puppy. Using positive reinforcement training techniques will give your puppy the training needed for safety and good behavior in a non-abusive manner.
Your puppy's natural instinct is to please you, but she has to know what you want her to do. Puppies are easily confused; for this reason it is important that you be consistent in the language you use in giving commands. Before teaching your dog a command, decide ahead of time what verbal cue you're going to be giving her, and then stick to it. So, when training your dog to not jump up on you, select one word or phrase such as "no jump", and use it every time. Dogs learn through consistent repetition the appropriate actions associated with a particular phrase.
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.
Puppies respond to food treats and physical affection, so be generous with these during your training sessions. Use treats she is already familiar with and likes. In giving physical attention be gentle and let her know how proud you are of her behavior.
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
Using your voice as a marker will also help your puppy in her training. However, you must be sure that even though your voice helps, she must receive a treat immediately. Do not give her verbal praise unless you are going to be consistent with it.
A very important ingredient in successfully training your puppy is that you both enjoy it. Find a time when you both are refreshed and an incentive program that works for your puppy.
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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.
In the past, dog training techniques often included practices that are now considered cruel. They were based on using punishment rather than reward to correct the dog's behavior. The inhumane practices of the past are not the best way to train your puppy. Using positive reinforcement training techniques will give your puppy the training needed for safety and good behavior in a non-abusive manner.
Your puppy's natural instinct is to please you, but she has to know what you want her to do. Puppies are easily confused; for this reason it is important that you be consistent in the language you use in giving commands. Before teaching your dog a command, decide ahead of time what verbal cue you're going to be giving her, and then stick to it. So, when training your dog to not jump up on you, select one word or phrase such as "no jump", and use it every time. Dogs learn through consistent repetition the appropriate actions associated with a particular phrase.
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.
Puppies respond to food treats and physical affection, so be generous with these during your training sessions. Use treats she is already familiar with and likes. In giving physical attention be gentle and let her know how proud you are of her behavior.
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
Using your voice as a marker will also help your puppy in her training. However, you must be sure that even though your voice helps, she must receive a treat immediately. Do not give her verbal praise unless you are going to be consistent with it.
A very important ingredient in successfully training your puppy is that you both enjoy it. Find a time when you both are refreshed and an incentive program that works for your puppy.
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