Dog Training Fundamentals

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     As an experienced dog owner, new dog owner, or potential dog owner, you have probably already put some thought into training your dog. For many of us, few experiences are quite as annoying as being pestered by an untrained dog. Without training, dogs engage in a variety of unwanted behaviours from toileting on the carpet to barking incessantly at guests. Whether you currently have problems with your dog's behaviour or you want to avoid potential problems, dog training is an important aspect of being a dog owner. But where do you start?

Dog training is actually quite a vast subject and there are tools and techniques designed to solve just about any problem behaviour. Still, there are some dog training fundamentals that can help you understand why dog training is important and how to achieve the best results from your training.

What Are the Origins of Dogs?

All dogs are descended from wild ancestors, and in many cases they are closely related to modern day wolves. This means there are some predictable behaviours you can expect from your dog, even though domestication has softened or eliminated many of their wilder traits. Nevertheless, dogs still maintain a pack mentality which means they are social animals familiar with routine and social structure. Your dog will thrive on interaction with other dogs and people and without this social experience dogs often become anxious, unhappy, and agitated. Moreover, dogs need routine. When they know when they are likely to be doing certain things, they feel more relaxed because they know what to expect.

You can use this knowledge about the origins of dogs to facilitate training. Reward your dog's good behaviours with play time or other social interaction. And when training, you need to create a routine that is consistent so that your dog may more easily understand your expectations. Furthermore, as pack animals, dogs will want to have a good secure leader, so as his leader you need provide clear, fair and consistent behavior for you dog to understand this hieracrchy.

What Does a Dog Remember?

Dogs tend to have shorter retention spans so training must be focused in the now. If your dog soils the carpet but you don't deal with that behaviour until several hours later, your dog will not make a connection between the punishment and the unwanted behaviour. Training should be focused on current unwanted behaviours so that your dog is more likely to make that connection.

Language

When training, your commands should be consistent and easy to understand. One or two word expressions should be repeated with every action you are attempting to teach. Common words should be avoided as to not confuse your dog when those expressions are used in everyday speech. Most importantly, choose an expression to associate with a particular activity and be consistent.

Reward vs. Punishment

Today, the fundamentals of dog training principles focus on the benefits of reward. All animals, dogs and humans included, learn more effectively when presented with a reward rather than punishment. Positive feelings created stronger associated memories and are more likely to ensure that good behaviours will repeat. So, instead of punishing your dog for what you don't want him to do, reward him for those good behaviours. For example, if you are house training your dog, give him a treat and verbal praise ("Good boy!") when he toilets outside, and try to avoid drawing attention to mistakes indoors.

Have Fun!

Ultimately, one of the most important fundamentals of dog training is to have fun. While training needs to be structured and consistent, it should also provide an opportunity to bond with your dog. Even if you plan to undergo professional dog training, it should be an activity you undertake with your dog. Not only will that help establish your dominance in the relationship, but it will help you to build a deeper and more loving bond with your dog.