What You Should Know About Using Food As Reward Training For Your Dog And Calling Your Dog To Come
Training with treats and other food based rewards is a great way to motivate your dog and speed the training process along. Most dogs are highly motivated by food rewards, and treat training using this kind of positive reinforcement is used to train all sorts of animals, including tigers, lions, elephants and even house cats.
Before you begin a treat based training session, however, it is a good idea to test the dog to make sure that food will motivate him through the session. Begin around the dogs regular meal time by taking a piece of its food and waving it in front of the dogs nose.
If the dog shows an enthusiasm for the food, now is a great time to start the training. If the dog shows little interest, or none at all, it may be best to put off the training until another time. Dont be afraid to delay the start of meal time in order to pique the dogs interest in training. The advantages of proper training will far outweigh any delay in feeding.
It is generally best to get the dog used to regular feedings, instead of leaving food out all the time. Not only does free feeding encourage the dog to overeat and increase the chances of obesity, but a free fed dog may never be fully motivated in reward based training.
The come when called command
Once your dog has shown interest in the food offered to it, it is time to begin the training. Since you already got your dogs undivided attention by showing it food, now is a great time to start. Give the dog a few pieces of food right away, then back up a few steps. While holding the food in your hand, so come here. When the dog comes to you, praise him effusively and give him a few pieces of food.
After the dog is coming to you easily, add a sit command and hold the collar before you give the food. After the sit command is mastered, other commands, and even some tricks, can be added. Food based positive reinforcement training is the best way to teach a variety of important behaviors.
One good exercise is the sit, stay, come when called exercise. This exercise can begin with the owner walking the dog, then stopping and asking the dog to sit. After the dog is sitting quietly, the owner backs away and asks the dog to stay. Ideally the dog should continue to stay until called by the owner, even if the leash is dropped.
At the end of the exercise, the owner calls the dog. When the dog comes to the owner, it receives food and praise from the owner. This exercise should be repeated several times, until the dog is reliably coming when called.
It is important to keep the training sessions short, especially in the beginning, to keep the dog from becoming bored, and from consuming its entire meal in the form of treats. After the dog has been responding regularly, the treats and food rewards can be slowly reduced. It is important to still provide these food rewards, but it may no longer be necessary to provide as many.
After awhile, as well, it will not be necessary to give the dog treats every single time he responds as requested. In general, it should only be necessary for the dog to receive a food treat one out of every five times he comes on demand. The other four successes can be rewarded with praise and scratches.
Once the dog understand the basics of the come here exercise, the basic exercise can be expanded, and many games can be created. These type of games can be great fun for owner and dog alike, as well as a great learning experience. Some off leash work can be introduced as well, but it is always best to start with the dog in a safe environment, such as a fenced back yard.
For variety, you can try taking the dog to other safe environments, such as a friends house, a neighbors fenced yard or a local dog park. Try turning the dog loose in these safe places, and practice the come when called exercise. Always praise the dog extensively, scratch him behind the ears and tell him what a good dog he is. The goal should be to make coming to the owner a more pleasant experience than whatever the dog was doing before he was called.
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Sep 06, 2010 | | Dogs
Understanding Your Dog; a Guide Every Pet Owner Should Read
Problems between dogs and their care givers arise from a multitude of reasons, most of which could be easily avoided. Inconsistent training, expecting too much too soon, harsh or inexperienced handling, and negligence are responsible for the majority of ongoing canine behavior problems. Understanding your dog will help.
Pet owners who take the time to become knowledgeable about their pets needs, and who build a solid foundation of love and trust with their pet, rarely experience serious behavior problems once training is complete.
Pet owners who fail in these areas, however, are likely to instill fear, confusion, lack of confidence, and even depression in their pet. Reading this Savvy Dog Lover article will go a long way in helping persons to understand the unique needs of their canine companions.
A Dogs Unique Personality
Dogs are a lot like most people. They may goof now and then, but they invariably try and do their best. They truly want to please their care givers. A sensitive dog owner will realize this.
Sensitive dog owners will also realize that, like people, some dogs catch on more quickly than others; others are slower to learn. Some dogs are also more easily distracted. Some are naturally more aggressive, others more timid requiring extra patience and encouragement during training.
Understanding your dog is vital, for both you and your dog. This is especially true when it comes to training.
Guidelines for Successful Training
There are ten important factors to remember if you desire training success:
1.)Patience is critical. Forcing a puppy or young dog to do more than he is capable of doing, losing control and yelling or striking out at the dog, or ending a training session on a sour note all sabotage training success and build confusion and mistrust in the dog.
2.)Keep training upbeat and fun for your dog. Sessions should begin and end with success. Start the session out by reviewing a feat or accomplishment your dog already does well. End the session in the same way, with plenty of praise.
3.)Structure is important, so be consistent. Training sessions should be performed regularly. Sessions should be timed to end while your dog is still enthusiastic and attentive. They should last about 15 minutes for puppies, 30 40 minutes for adult dogs. Sessions should also be conducted in as distraction-free a location as possible. That means no audience of onlookers for the sake of showing off your skills as a trainer.
4.) Be lavish with praise. Reward each success with plenty of verbal and physical praise. Not only will this build confidence in your dog, and create a stronger bond between the two of you, but it will make him even more anxious to please you when learning other new feats.
5.)Never call your dog to you for disciplinary purposes. This will only make your dog apprehensive and reluctant to approach the next time you call. Instead, order him to sit, and stay, then approach him.
6.)Never over-discipline. Once a dog understands a command but refuses to obey, reasonable physical discipline may be appropriate. Discipline should never be violent or executed in anger; it should always be imparted in a calm, controlled manner.
7.)Dont lock your dog into shame cycles. When a dog refuses to comply, verbal and physical discipline should be controlled, and reasonable. Ongoing verbal reprisals and scolding when a dog bungles an assignment is ineffective and will only serve to strip confidence. It will discourage your dog and make him dislike training sessions altogether.
8.)Understand that learned behavior takes time. Just because a dog learns the sit command on Monday while in his own backyard, that does not mean he will be able to carry the lesson over to Fridays day at the beach. Dogs do not instinctively apply knowledge learned in one setting to another quite different setting. He must be taught how to do that; it takes repetition over a period of time, and patience.
9.)Teach commands in steps. For instance, before a dog can effectively learn the lay down, command which is, in actuality, a three-step command he must first learn the commands sit and down (or lay down). Break multi-tasked commands into simple steps.
10.) Factor #1 bears repeating. Patience is critical!
By working with your dog following these guidelines you will soon discover the essence of each. Patience combined with consistency, love, and praise for accomplishments well done are the most important factors of all when it comes to building trust in your dog, and assuring training success.
Other training tips, aids, and products for pets can be found online at www.savvy-dog-lovers.com.
2006 Lori S. Anton
Savvy Pet Editor
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Aug 25, 2010 | | Dogs
Training a dog to come when it is called is a vital, and potentially life saving, part of any successful dog training program. All properly trained dogs must learn to respond instantly to the owners voice, and the sooner this lesson is learned the better.
The advantages of teaching a dog to come when called are obvious. For starters, coming when called will help you regain control of the dog in case of collar break, snapped leash or other similar equipment failure. This is particularly important when you are out with your dog, especially in an area with lots of traffic. It is vital that the dog respond to your voice and return to your side, even in the absence of collar and leash, and even if there are lots of other things competing for its attention.
Coming when called is also a vital skill for every working dog. Whether the dogs job is herding sheep, guarding livestock, or sniffing out bombs and drugs at the airport, the working dog must be under total control at all times, whether on leash or off.
Even if your dogs only job is being a loyal companion, it is still vital that he learn this important basic obedience exercise. After the first obedience lessons, such as heeling, stopping on command, sitting on command, etc. have been learned, it is time to start incorporating the come when called lessons into the daily training sessions.
One note about dog training it is all too easy for training sessions to become dull and routine for both handler and dog. A bored dog will not be receptive to learning, just as a bored handler will not be a good teacher. It is important, therefore, to always incorporate fun things and play into every training session. Incorporating a few minutes of play time before the lesson begins can do wonders for the attitude of dog and human alike. Likewise, ending each training session with a few minutes of free play time is a great way to end on a positive note and to help the dog associate obedience training with fun and not drudgery.
The command to stay and the command to come when called are often combined in obedience training lessons, and they do go naturally together. Start with the dog on a loose leash, ask the dog to sit and then slowly back away. If the dog begins to get up and follow you, return to the dog and ask him to sit again. Continue this process until you can reach the end of the leash without the dog getting up.
After you can successfully reach the end of the leash on a consistent basis, try dropping the leash altogether. Of course you will want to do this in a controlled environment like a fenced in yard. After the dog has mastered the stay command, it is time to add the come when called command.
Take up the leash again, and with the dog on the end of the leash, say come or come here. It is often helpful to use a lure when teaching this behavior. The lure provides a visible item for the dog to focus on. Teaching the dog to come to the lure is a good first step in training the dog to come when called.
Repeat this procedure many times until the dog will consistently stay and then come when called. After the dog has mastered coming when called while attached to the leash, slowly start introducing the concept when the leash is removed. As before, these training sessions should only take place in a controlled, safe environment, such as a fenced in front or back yard.
A well trained, obedient dog should respond to the call to return to its owner no matter where it is and no matter what distractions may occur. It is therefore necessary to test the dog with distractions of your own.
If you have a neighbor, preferably one with a dog of his own, try having him come over with the dog. Have him, and the dog, stand just outside the fenced in area and repeat the come when called exercise with your dog off leash. If he becomes distracted by the other dog, put the leash back on and repeat the process. The goal is to have your dog consistently pay attention to your commands, no matter what distractions may present themselves.
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Aug 14, 2010 | | Dogs
The One Important Aspect You Must Differentiate In Order To Gain Respect From Your Dog
The basis of training any animal is winning its trust, confidence and respect. True training cannot begin until the animal has accepted you as its leader, respects you and entrusted you with his or her confidence.
The mistake many puppy owners make is mistaking love and affection for respect and confidence. While it is certainly important to love your new puppy, it is also very important that the puppy respect you and see you as his leader. Dogs are naturally pack animals, and every dog looks to the lead dog for advice and direction. Making yourself the pack leader is vital to the success of training any dog.
Failure to gain the respect of the dog can create a dog who is disobedient, out of control and even dangerous. Problem dogs are dangerous, whether they are created through bad breeding, owner ignorance or improper training. It is important to train the dog right from the start, since retraining a problem dog is much more difficult than training a puppy right the first time.
It is important for any new dog owner, whether working with a 12 week old puppy or a twelve year old dog, to immediately get the respect of the animal. That does not mean using rough or dangerous handling methods, but it does mean letting the dog know that you are in control of the situation. Dogs need structure in their lives, and they will not resent the owner taking control. As a matter of fact, the dog will appreciate your taking the role of trainer and coach as you begin your training session.
When working with the dog, it is important to keep the training sessions short at first. This is particularly important when working with a young puppy, since puppies tend to have much shorter attention spans than older dogs. Keeping the training sessions short, and fun, is essential for proper training.
Beginning training sessions should focus on the most basic commands. The heel command is one of the most basic, and one of the easiest to teach. Start by putting the dog or puppy in a properly fitted training collar. Be sure to follow the instructions for fitting and sizing the color to ensure that it works as intended.
Begin to walk and allow your dog to walk beside you. If the dog begins to pull, gently pull on the leash. This in turn will tighten the training collar and correct the dog. If the gentle pressure is ineffective, it may be necessary to slowly increase the pressure. Always be careful to not over-correct the dog. Using too much pressure could frighten the dog and cause it to strain more. I the opposite problem occurs and the dog lags behind, the owner should gently encourage it until it is walking beside the owner.
Most dogs figure out the heeling concept fairly rapidly, and quickly figure out that they should walk beside their owners, neither lagging behind nor pulling ahead. Once the dog has mastered heeling at a moderate pace, the owner should slow his or her pace and allow the dog to adjust along with it. The owner should also speed up the pace and allow the dog to speed up as well. Finally, walking along and changing pace often will reinforce the lesson that the dog should always walk at the heel of the handler.
From heeling, the next step should be to halt on command. This halt command works well as an adjunct to heel. As you are walking, stop and watch you dog. Many dogs immediately realize that they are expected to stop when their handler does. Others may need the reminder of the leash and the training collar.
After the halt on command has been mastered, the handler should encourage the dog to sit on command as well. Once the dog has stopped, the handler gently pushes on the dogs hindquarters to encourage the sit. Usually, after this walk, halt, sit procedure has been done a few times, the dog will begin to sit on his own each time he stops. Of course, it is important to provide great praise, and perhaps even a treat, every time the dog does as he is expected.
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Jul 24, 2010 | | Dogs
Dog training is a necessity when you make the decision to keep a dog as a pet.Dogs, particularly larger ones, must be obedient, or keeping them becomes extremely hard work.
In addition to their appreciation for being fed, as pack animals dogs have natural instincts that favour training. These instincts are manifested as a desire to please a trainer. This gives the dog trainer an unbeatable edge in shaping the dog’s behaviour.
While dogs can be trained for complicated, serious actions, such as rescue work, circus acts, or medical diagnosis, there are certain elements of training that almost all dogs can learn, to the benefit of both dog and trainer.
Basically, dog training is about communication. The trainer is communicating to the dog what behaviours are correct in what circumstances. A successful trainer must also understand the communication that the dog sends to the them. The dog can signal that he is unsure, confused, nervous, happy, excited, etc. The emotional state of the dog is an important consideration in directing the training.
Dog training clickers are great training tools. They are effective training tools for puppies or dogs because dog clickers make a very distinct sound, letting you control your timing, and eliminate the inflection in your voice that can hinder dog training.
Dogs are very sensitive to inflections in your voice, and training your dog with a clicker eliminates the inflections and you can train more effectively, even if you are in a crabby mood or are getting short-tempered during the training session.
Now that you’ve got a dog clicker it is time to train your dog to get used to the tool. First thing, get a pocket full of small, edible treats ready and, for easy access, get a nice clicker treat bag. Then you can lure the dog with the treat or go to the dog with the clicker and some treats.
Click the clicker, and give the dog a nice treat. At this point, it doesnt matter what hes doing at the moment, since you basically are training your dog to learn that when there’s a click there’s a treat. You can continue the process of making clicks and rewarding with treats until you’ve trained your dog to react quickly with the turn of his head and he gives you all his attention when he hears the sound of the clicker. This process probably won’t really take much time, but you’ve got to make him react with your clicker before you move on to the next clicker training step.
Whatever stage of training you have reached,or whatever method of training you may have chosen, always remember these golden rules;
1. Be Positive — It is necessary to use positive reinforcement when you train your dog or puppy by offering some dog treats and a lot of praise if he does something correctly. During the initial training sessions you can offer both praise and treats.
2. Firm and Friendly — When you give commands such as stay and come, you want to use a happy, friendly voice. On the other hand, you will want a lower, firmer voice for sit, down, and stay.
3. Start Youngbut not too early – The ideal time to start training begins at six to eight weeks, maybe even earlier depending on the puppy. But remember, you can teach old dogs new tricks.
4. Be Patient – Patience is vital when you work with your dog or puppy. If you feel like youre at the end of your rope before youve even started, dont attempt to train your dog. Your dog is incredibly smart and will pick up on your emotions.
5. Keep it Short – Fifteen minutes or so is about the right time for learning simple commands, so consentrate on a single command a session and end it on a positive note. If your dog or pup has successfully done the command several times in a row remember to smother him with praise. After the dog training session, spend some time playing. He will associate time with you as positive and look forward to his training.
6. No Distractions – Try to pick a quiet place free of distractions when training your dog. A secluded garden or a quiet inside room works best. If there are other pets in the family, put them separate so they wont interfere with training.
7. Remember,both you and the dog should enjoy. – Dog training, of course, should be a pleasant time for you and your dog. The time can be used to bond closely with your dog and learn each others personalities. When you do this, you will not only have a well-trained dog or puppy, but a longtime, loyal companion and friend.
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Jul 23, 2010 | | Dogs
Canine training is the same as for all animals, you communicate to your dog what you want him to do; when the dog has performed as desired, you reward him. You immediately repeat the exercise a few times and review it frequently until the dogs response to the command is practically automatic. But of course it isnt quite as simple as it sounds.
In the first place, communications with your dog are limited. Sometimes you can demonstrate the action you want him to perform. Sometimes you have to force or work with him. In certain cases, SIT or COME for example, you can give your dog the appropriate command every time you see that he is about to perform these actions anyway, then praise him. Eventually, he will connect the cause and the effect.
When giving commands, be calm, distinct, brief, patient, and perfectly clear in repeating your commands. Above all, be consistent. If your dog just sits there cocking his ears with a lost look, it is obvious you are not getting your message across and that you need to improve your communications system. Start over again trying to clarify your command, while increasing the will power behind it.
One-word commands are best at first. Later on you can use the key word in a sentence, pronouncing it gradually and not as focused. When your dog has grasped your meaning and performed correctly, and has been rewarded, repeat the performance at once in order to fix it in his memory. Three or four times are sufficient for the first lesson because you dont want to bore him with it.
You should repeat the lessons again the next day, and thereafter at the beginning of each training session until he has mastered it. You will see that your dog really enjoys showing off what he learned to do. Certain conditions are necessary for successful training. Try to schedule the lessons at the same time and in the same place, one that is a secluded as possible and free from distractions such as passing cars, playing children, and other animals.
The learning process from the dogs point of view, involves listening attentively and watching you as you give a command, realizing that each sound and gesture signifies something he is being asked to do. Once this sequence has been established in his mind, there is no limit to what he can learn.
Please do not attempt to school a tired dog, or an ailing one, or one that has just eaten. The dog will only become frustrated, irritable, and his only memory of your time together will always be an unpleasant one. Youll achieve the same results if you are nervous, irritable, or in a bad mood. Give him your time, attention, patience, and love.
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Jul 13, 2010 | | Dogs
When scolding your dog for doing the toilet on the carpet remember that we were once young and did not use the proper toilet either. Your dog needs to be house trained, and this can be done in a few easy steps, but over a long period.
Dog house training may be one of the hardest training techniques as it is the one that requires the most attentiveness and work. You have to be able to read your dog’s body signals, as he cannot tell you when he needs the toilet. Many people make the mistake of assuming that their dog will bark when he needs the go, sometimes they are lucky to find a dog that will but believe me there are many out there who don’t and accidents are found all over the house!
Dog house training requires a few simple steps, but as I said but they are time consuming ones. Firstly I would recommend putting newspaper in front of the door, that way if you see him doing an accident in the house you can quickly life him there and he will realize that if he needs to go and your not there to let him he has to do it on paper.
The next thing you need to know when dog house training is most dogs when they need the toilet will start to get restless and stat sniffing around, this is when you pick them up and take them outside, when they are really young you should take him outside at least once every hour. When you take them outside you can say things like do the toilet or do your business or whatever command you want to use for this training session. Once they have done the toilet you must give them lots of affection outside straight away (of course it’s best to wait until they are done) They will soon come to realize that outside is the place to do the toilet and will after some time start asking to go out.
There are hundreds of books available on dog house training all of which use different techniques and routines. No dog is going to know straight away that outside is the place to do the toilet, they have to learn and you have to teach them (unless you don’t mind accidents all over the place) Oh and don’t forget to scoop!!
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Jul 10, 2010 | | Dogs
Dear Adam:
I bought your book about two weeks ago. Finally, someone has written a training book that makes sense. Good Job…bet it took a lot of time to put all of it together, huh?
The reason I am writing to you is because I am confused about some things that deal with teaching the down/stay and sit/stay. Tell me if this sounds like I have it right:
First, teach her (the dog) how to do the command doing repetitions and placing her in the correct position immediately after saying the command. Then, working up to the point you can just stand up straight and have her respond.
Next, work up distance and time then add distractions and practice in different places.
Finally, go to the long line and then the tab to get reliability off-leash.
[Adam:] Actually, you should start proofing for distractions first, then move to greater distances… but only progress to greater distances with the long line. Without the long line, guess what might happen?
This is how I understand the process from what I have read in your book.
Should I move on to the next step once my dog performs the command quickly and correctly for one training session or keep drilling her without adding something new?
[Adam:] It’s going to take much more than one training session. When the dog learns something, it’s situational. So you’re going to have to work the same exercise… at the same point in the program… in several different locations before you’re ready to move onto the next step.
During proofing, is it okay to add distractions during the dogs learning phase after the dog does the command for me a couple of times correctly without being corrected?
[Adam:] You’re confusing two things. Is the dog in the learning phase, or is he in the proofing phase? The two are very distinct. Do not move onto one phase until you’ve mastered the other.
Here is the order: Learning phase – reinforcement phase – proofing phase.
How long does it take the “average” dog to be taught a new command and proofed in it?
[Adam:] This is impossible to answer. It depends upon the trainer, the dog, the exercise, the setting, how frequently the dog is worked, etc… You let the dog tell you when it’s time. This is why reading your dog is so important. It takes as long as it takes.
Do you teach the down/stay and sit/stay in one session or separately?
[Adam:] Separately.
In what order should I teach my dog new commands?
[Adam:] Walk on a loose leash, boundary and perimeter training, sit-stay, down-stay, heel, then come. The order that you teach commands is not written in stone, but I find that doing it this way allows for a very natural flow and learning progression.
Sorry my letter is so long…any instruction you can give me is greatly appreciated…oh, by the way I really like the book.
Thank you 
Sincerely,
Brandee N.
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
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Jul 07, 2010 | | Dogs
Does your dog chase things cars, bikes, animals and other people? Apart from being a nuisance this could also be dangerous, both for the dog and the person or thing being chased. If it should be a child its chasing then the child could well be terrified enough to do something stupid like run into the road and get knocked down. So training your dog not to chase is an essential part of basic training.
Its in the nature of a dog to chase since they are carnivorous by nature. With some breeds, like Collies and sheepdogs, we have taken this instinct and turned it to our own use for herding cattle or sheep. But even with these breeds, training is still required to call the dog off when necessary. Like everything else this training is best started young.
The best place to start such training is in your garden, especially if it is surrounded by a fence. This will stop him from being distracted by anything happening outside and help to focus his attention on you. Remove any dog toys or anything that may distract him before starting.
Put your dog on a lead and stand with him beside you. Then take a ball and show it to him without letting him touch it. Roll the ball away from you and state the command Off! If he tries to follow the ball then restrain him with the lead and repeat the command again Off! This will need to be repeated until the dog obeys the command.
Whenever he obeys the command give him a treat as a reward. Repeat the training session in different environments, like indoors and in a busy park, gradually introducing more potential distractions into the training sessions until he obeys in all situations.
Once he has shown he can obey the command in all these different environments then try again in the yard or indoors but without the lead. Again reward him for good performance. Repeat the training in different environments with increasing distractions.
You should never let your dog off the lead until you are sure he is trained not to chase.
Following this simple training exercise will tech your dog not to chase things. This could save you from the embarrassment of having to chase your dog shouting at him to come back. It could also save you from the consequences of his chasing, which could be anything from embarrassment to legal proceedings in the event of an accident caused by your dog.
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Jul 06, 2010 | | Dogs
Rewarding your dog is the best motivator when training. It is well known that using rewards and other positive reinforcement when obedience training a dog is the most effective method and achieves the best results.
You can make obedience training fun for the dog and yourself too by making a game of it. This makes both your dog and you, as the trainer, more willing and motivated to give it your all. Incorporate a period of play at the start and the end of each training session to ensure that the session ends positively. Teaching your dog to heel is the most basic of all the obedience commands. This refers to having the dog walk along with you on a loose lead. Heeling is generally the first obedience behavior taught to a dog, and it is easy to teach this using reward training.
Begin the training by getting your dog a good training collar and lead. Make sure the collar is strong and fits the dog properly. If you dont know how to fit the collar, ask a dog trainer or the pet store manager when you buy your training equipment. As you start to walk with the dog, be aware of the dogs position in relation to your own. If the dog begins to get ahead of you, pull gently on the leash. This will engage the collar and provide the dog with a gentle indication that he should slow down. You may have to apply more pressure in the beginning until your dog learns to accept the discipline. If the dog falls behind, slow down and encourage the dog to come forward. Use a lure or the dogs favorite toy to teach him to walk by your side. If you keep the lure at the position youd like the dog to be, he will learn quickly to walk in the correct position.
Always give your dog lots of praise, treats, toys, and other rewards when he or she does what is expected. Dogs learn best when desired behavior is rewarded in a positive manner. Positive reinforcement means that when a dog does what the trainer wants, the dog receives a reward. This can be a pat on the head or a treat or toy of some kind. If the dog shows even the slightest attempt to please you, especially at the beginning of training, you should lavish positive reinforcement on him or her.
It is much less effective to attempt to train a dog through reprimands and punishment. Dogs become discouraged and confused by too much punishment. You may have to reprimand the dog sometimes to correct a potentially dangerous behavior. For example, chasing cars or biting must be punished, but the reprimands must be direct, short and directly linked to the bad behavior. After the immediate danger is over, training should go on, based on the reward method as before.
Dogs must learn to associate rewards with good behaviors and reprimands with undesirable behaviors. It is difficult to change any negative associations once they have taken hold. Its easier to train the dog properly in the first place than to try and retrain him later. You should teach your dog to associate behaviors like coming when called, heeling, and sitting on command, with the happy and fun times you shared during training.
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Jun 21, 2010 | | Dogs