Dog training involves teaching a canine the appropriate behaviors. There are various approaches for teaching this behavior; positive reinforcement, negative punishment and distraction are among the most popular.
Positive reinforcement involves giving something extra that increases the probability that certain behavior will happen again in the future, for example if you tell your dog to sit, when they do it, you should give them something as a reward (treats, praise or playtime) so they’re more likely to comply with commands in future. Positive reinforcement can also help teach new behaviors such as “sit.”
Negative punishment involves depriving your pet of something it enjoys in order to encourage it to stop engaging in certain behaviors. It should not be confused with rewarding bad behavior and can be an effective training technique when used appropriately – for instance if your pup runs off into the street playing, chase after them until they return into your house – this can be used effectively but must always be used safely so as not to endanger or harm the dog in any way.
Use of a training leash with some slack during walks can help prevent your dog from running away and becoming lost or injured. A suitable leash should allow for ample control while still providing free hands; and may include clips which enable it to slip around waists easily for ease of use.
Toys and treats are popular rewards for canines. While preferences may vary, soft meaty treats tend to be favorites among canines. Keep a variety of treats on hand so you can change up the types of rewards offered to keep the dog engaged. Rewarding canines with food treats is known as continuous reinforcement; once they form a habitual behavior pattern you should gradually decrease frequency until they only need them occasionally.
Behavior issues like excessive barking or aggression toward people, other dogs or pets can often be difficult to resolve. Working with a professional to identify their source can help you understand why such behaviors exist and create an action plan to manage them effectively. For instance, if your dog gets anxious when you leave the house, this could be because he or she feels abandoned by you. By working with a trainer to associate leaving with calmness rather than anxiety. It can be accomplished through a series of training sessions where the handler pretends to leave, then returns and gives their dog verbal and visual rewards for calming down. This can then be repeated in different locations until their pet can relax wherever they are; if this does not work, contact a professional trainer to explore other treatment options.
