Positive Reinforcement and Dog Training

Positive Reinforcement is an important part of dog training. Knowing when and how to reward your dog makes a huge difference in his willingness to comply. Positive reinforcement is an important element for training any animal and dogs have the capacity to respond well to this type of prompting. A dog quickly figures out there is a connection between “good” behavior and tasty results. This is why positive reinforcement, especially in the form of a tasty treat, is highly contributory to getting the results you want in dog training.

This is How Dog Training Works

This is how it works: You give your dog a command, either spoken or signaled or both at the same time. When your dog performs the action and you praise/reward simultaneously, you create a link in the dog’s brain between the command and the action. Command + Action = Treat. The dog becomes eager to carry out the command, knowing that the results are in his favor. Timing is crucial. A well executed reward for a spoken or signaled command results in willingness to get the treat, pet or verbalized praise. Although, I have found a liver treat gets a much faster response – at least in the beginning phases of training – than a “good boy.”

It Takes Time

Dog training takes time to make the message stick. Some dogs are less amenable to training than others. Some won’t care about a treat but a ball tossed when a command is obeyed may send your dog over the moon.

Dog Training is a Three Step Program

Be sure to do your dog training in a three step program. Step 1 is to show the dog what you want. This is achieved by moving your dog into the position for which you are asking. In other words, if you want your dog to ‘sit,’ have the motivator (treat, for instance) above his nose and lift it slightly so the dogs head is lifting, nose first. This action shifts the dog’s weight from his front to his rear legs and drops his rear toward the ground.

Step 2 is to teach the dog what you want. This involves repeating the command without the motivator but still rewarding every time the action is done. Be sure to give a reward every time the dog does as you command. If you are always facing your dog when you showing him to sit, in the teaching phase you change the circumstances of the command; give the command from beside him, behind him or at a distance.

Step 3 is to proof the action. By proofing, I mean to offer distractions and to vary your command situation. Perhaps you normally train where it is quiet with no other dogs or people. In the proofing phase you may have another dog in the area. Perhaps people walk close to you and as they do, you tell your dog to sit. If he doesn’t do it, then you are not ready for proofing; go back to the teaching phase.

This is the way to get perfect results in dog training. It takes patience, persistence, consistency and great timing.

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