Pet Information > Others > Pet Articles > Discover How Positive Pet Training Leads to Good Behavior

Discover How Positive Pet Training Leads to Good Behavior

29 11:47:13

Discover How Positive Pet Training Leads to Good Behavior






     There are several important aspects to consider for pet training, especially when you have a new dog or puppy. Keep in mind that any attempt to change behavior takes time and patience. It will not happen immediately. Be prepared to spend adequate time and train on a regular basis for best results.

Each dog is different based on temperament, breed, and nature. Some dogs are very eager to please while others are naturally more distant. Certain breeds respond to different reinforcement, such as food, praise, verbal commands, or visual directions. Be sure to spend time learning about an individual dog's nature to devise the most applicable program.

It is important to establish yourself as the pack leader or authority in your home. In a natural environment, dogs look to the pack leader for guidance and direction. It is a position of dominance, but should not be established by negative means. Speak with authoritative tones. Since you are in charge of the food supply, this is a good way to show you are in charge. Set a regular schedule of feeding and stick to it.

Positive reinforcement is more effective than negative. The key to reinforcing a certain behavior is to recognize when dogs perform correct tasks by rewarding them generously. When a dog does something bad, avoid reacting negatively by yelling or punishing. Instead, simply ignore the unwanted behavior. This helps teach what behaviors earn praise versus what results in nothing.

Punishment and negativity are not effective as a training method. You should never beat or strike an animal in anger. This only has the effect of alienating dogs. It causes them to consider you an adversary. Using rewards a dog likes along with positive reinforcement is more successful while also creating a strong bond between you and your dog.

Be realistic about the goals an individual dog can achieve and the timing involved. It may take longer than you originally expected. If you set an unrealistic goal, such as expecting him to learn how to roll over in one day, you will both become frustrated. Start with a small goal, like learning the sit or down commands, so that you can see what works best. Then utilize these methods for a more advanced command.

Timing is important. When you see your dog starting to exhibit bad behavior, address it immediately. The same is true when you see him do the correct thing. Reward or praise him immediately. Dogs will not understand if scolding or praise happens after the fact. If you return home and your shoe has been chewed, getting angry and scolding has little effect because the bad behavior probably happened hours ago. Dogs will cower and act guilty due to your negative language, but they are not able to connect your scolding with the activity that prompted it. This situation mainly confuses them.

Consistency and patience are two of the most important aspects for effective pet training. Use the exact same verbal and hand signals every time. Set a regular schedule to train. This can be a set time each day, or several small periods of time during the day. All these concepts come together to create an effective program to help your dog learn proper behavior.