Training dogs is an easy task when you know how to do it and when you don't try to rush things. However, training a dog can seem like an impossible task if you follow the wrong advice.
Currently there are two main lines of dog education, traditional training and positive training. Although those terms are sometimes used in a derogatory way, in this article on our site they are simply used to indicate the differences between these lines of thinking about dog training.
Traditional dog training is based primarily on negative reinforcement and punishment. However, this does not mean that traditional trainers beat dogs, if it is carried out correctly it means that corrections predominate in this type of dog training when the dog does not respond in the expected way. For its part, positive dog training is mainly based on positive reinforcement to educate dogs, although it also uses other means to correct inappropriate behavior.
Traditional training is usually harder and more coercive than positive training, so we do not recommend resorting to it if we are not professionals. Read on and discover our tips for training dogs.
Educate dogs or train dogs?
If you have read any traditional training book, you may have come across the dichotomy between educating dogs and training dogsHistorically, in traditional training, the education of the puppy has been separated from the formal training of the young and adult dog. According to this differentiation, the education of the puppy must be carried out differently from the training of the adult dog.
This dichotomy is based on two facts:
- Puppies do not have the same attention span as adult dogs.
- Traditional training tools (choke and spike collars) can very easily damage a puppy's neck.
However, in positive training this differentiation is not made, since the methods used are effective for training dogs of any age. In addition, no choke or spike collars are used, so the tools used cannot harm the puppies. Despite this, the limited attention span of puppies is recognized and they do not have the same demands as for adult dogs. On the other hand, we always recommend the use of positive training, since with it we will achieve effective results without the need to harm the animal or subject it to unpleasant situations for it.
Frequent topics in the education of dogs
Although you can teach your dog many things, there are common issues in the education of any dog. These topics include good manners for a companion dog and basic obedience that every dog should have.
Good dog manners are necessary for any dog and comprise what can be called basic dog training. As a general rule they include:
- Dog socialization
- Bite inhibition
- Training the dog to go to the bathroom
- Train the dog to use the travel crate
- Training the dog to properly greet people
- Teaching the dog to use the collar and leash
- Train the dog to pay attention
- Teach the dog to stop during the walk
- Training the dog to drive
- Teach the dog to ignore objects
- Train the dog to control barking
- Teach the dog not to bite the furniture
On the other hand, competitive canine obedience is not really necessary for a companion dog, but it can be very useful. In fact, those who have had an obedience-trained dog cannot conceive the idea of having another dog without that type of training. Basic canine obedience includes the following exercises:
- Answer the call
- Seated
- Lie down
- Still
- Together
Things to keep in mind when training dogs
If the purpose of your search is to become a professional dog educator, it is best to consult the schools that offer dog training and education courses so that you can fully train and obtain the necessary qualifications to dedicate yourself to it professionally. If, on the other hand, you need tips for training dogs because you just adopted one and are looking for a little guide, the previous topics will help you know where to start and what to consider. In parallel to this, you should keep in mind the following keys to obtain the best results:
- Be patient, training dogs takes time. As with the learning process in humans, time is needed to get the animal to internalize commands or correct misbehavior.
- Be consistent For good results, patience must go hand in hand with consistency. If you do not carry out training sessions frequently and setting a schedule, your dog will never internalize the orders. With this we do not mean that we should put pressure on the animal or that we have to carry out excessively long sessions, in fact both things are counterproductive. We must do sessions of 10 minutes maximum and repeat them constantly every day.
- Set the rules from the beginning Once you've established the dog training rules, don't change them. If you live with more people, it will be essential that you involve them and inform them of the rules set so that you all educate the animal in the same way. A simple example: if you train the dog to learn to sit using the command "Sit" and another person uses the word "Sit", he will never learn it.
- Use positive reinforcement. A dog educated from kindness, who receives congratulations and rewards for good behavior, will always learn much faster.
- Have fun with your dog Without a doubt, another key to educating dogs effectively is to have fun with them while we train them. If the dog notices that we are bored or we have turned the training sessions into a routine that does not arouse any interest in us, he will perceive it and adopt the same attitude. In this sense, we recommend practicing games with the dog that, in addition, strengthen your bond, stimulate his mind and promote learning.
