Dog Training Methods And Their Uses

by Kurt Dorey on March 10, 2010

Dog obedience is very important, so it is wise to train a dog early and thoroughly. There are a wide variety of different training methods for dogs, and what works for some dogs may not work for others. Many people train their own dogs, while other people turn to obedience schools for dog training. Here are some basic tips on dog training that we hope you can put to good use.

The first and most common form of training for dogs is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement simply means doing something positive for the dog to reward correct behavior. This can come in the form of physical or audible praise, or more effectively, in the form of a doggie treat. Pet owners often give dogs a treat to reward good behavior, as this is one of the surest ways to ensure the dog repeats those good behaviors in the future.

On the other side of the coin, many pet owners use negative reinforcement to combat bad behavior. This can be as simple as the classic “bad dog” or a tap on their behind to let them know that they were bad. Many advanced forms of negative reinforcement use some sort of electric collar.

There are shock collars available that are widely used in dog training to curb a particular type of bad behavior such as excessive barking. These are commonly known as “bark collars” and will send a mild electric shock into the dog’s neck each time he barks. By wearing a collar for an extended period of time, the dog learns to curb her incessant barking.

Another form of electrical negative reinforcement that follows the same theory is the shock collar for the invisible fence. The invisible fence will set up boundaries for the dog. After the dog gets a few shocks from trying to cross the boundary, the dog will eventually learn where it can and cannot go.

Housebreaking a dog is possibly the most important piece of dog training. Utilizing a bit of both reinforcement methods with the negative reinforcement being kept to a minimum will accomplish this. Reward the dog when he has alerted you to the need to go outside or discipline him when an accident indoors occurs. One should not shout the dog’s name by itself when disciplining the dog as the dog will not know the difference between discipline and a simple call.

Training a dog is by no means easy but is well worth the time and effort as a dog can serve as a companion, guardian, or helper. Exercising patience during the dog training assures great results and helps build trust between owner and dog. A well-trained dog is an untiring pleasure that everyone can enjoy.

We built www.dogcollarandmore.com for all dog lovers like our selves. We continue to build the site as a complete resource for you. One area of concern with owning a dog is dog training. You can find all the answers for your dog related questions along with a lot of training techniques written by experts on our site.

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: