An obedient dog is a good dog, but they do not get this way naturally. In order to get a well-trained dog, one must begin the dog’s training and conditioning while the dog is still very young. For the most part, people attempt dog training on their own, however there are a few who may turn to an obedience school for very thorough dog training.
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.
At the other end of the spectrum is negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement can come in the form of a tap on the butt or the obligatory “bad dog,” spoken aloud. A more extreme form of negative reinforcement used to curb bad behavior can come by way of the utilization of a shock collar.
A bark collar is a common device used in dog training for dogs that bark too frequently. A bark collar can be fitted around the dog’s neck and will send out a mild electric shock every time the dog barks. By doing so, the dog will eventually learn not to bark.
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 a very important step during training. Both types of reinforcements should be implemented, keeping the negative reinforcement extremely mild. When a dog goes to the bathroom outside, she should be rewarded. If she goes to the bathroom inside, use mild dicipline. A dog’s name should not be used for negative reinforcement as the dog may think he is just being summoned.
Training a dog is not often a very easy task, but it can be very rewarding. Dog training takes a lot of patience and love and laziness will often yield poor results. A disciplined dog will be a joy to have around the home, but only if the master has the discipline to train them properly.
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