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Why Positive Reinforcement Works Best in Dog Training

Dogs are much like small children in their emotional responses. A loving, but firm attitude in training gets positive results. Rolled up newspapers and smacks across the nose get the victim's attention, but only to result in negative feelings. There is nothing in this world like the power of love to achieve trust. When trust exists, good behavior follows.

Consistency is the foundation for building strong, positive relationships. Children raised with consistent love and discipline quickly develop trust in their teachers. So it goes with canines.

A dog adopted from a Humane Society, or pound may represent a larger challenge in training simply because his/her behavior has been allowed to become a problem. The humans who abandoned him made the choice not to take the time to train him to be a house-worthy companion. However, adopted dogs can be trained as readily as a young pup entering his first home if consistent, positive reinforcement training is central to his education.

Dogs are human companions to the highest degree. When taken into a home, a dog lives to please those who care for him, fill his dish with nourishment, and spend time with him, much as a cared for child.

Many people don't realize how easy it is to institute positive reinforcement training. Different breeds of canines have different characteristics, or work instincts, or may be prone to easily fall into bad habits. Nonetheless, they are all trainable.

Right along with house-breaking, the first things to teach a new puppy are not to bite, or jump up. Some pups will respond better if treats are used during the training sessions; some may enjoy a tug-of-war toy, which can be offered each time his behavioral response is correct. Using one-word commands, such as sit, stay, wait, and off, followed by the offering of a treat, or the toy will get consistently positive responses if the commands are given with a consistent tone of voice and an upbeat attitude. Command-treat; command-treat, command-treat, while remaining dedicated to sameness and consistency, gets happy results.

Training sessions must not drag on and on, or become fraught with impatience. A dog's attention span is short, as is that of a child. Sessions should be ten-minute, upbeat, controlled short works of art, repeated frequently. Soon, the treats won't be needed. A sincere, happy hand-rub on the head, or the back of a dog is ecstasy to him. A canine will do as his human asks for the pure joy of pleasing him to attain the touch of that loving hand. Such exchanges will foster true trust and the reward of unconditional companionship.

Screaming at, or striking a dog will get no better results than it would with a child. Screaming and pounding is negative and frightening. A dog struck by the human hand, or shouted at to stop what it is doing, as a child, will mentally freeze in confusion.

Positively reinforcing a pet's good behavioral responses will grow a stable household-pet relationship, one of life's true treasures.

Learn more about this author, Barbaraanne Helberg.
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