What is Positive Reinforcement as it relates to Dog Training?

Positive Reinforcement is an important part of dog training. Knowing when and how to reward your dog makes a huge difference in his willingness to comply. Positive reinforcement is an important element for training any animal and dogs have the capacity to respond well to this type of prompting. A dog quickly figures out there is a connection between “good” behavior and tasty results. This is why positive reinforcement, especially in the form of a tasty treat, is highly contributory to getting the results you want in dog training.

This is how it works: You give your dog a command, either spoken or signaled or both at the same time. When your dog performs the action and you praise/reward simultaneously, you create a link in the dog’s brain between the command and the action. Command + Action = Treat. The dog becomes eager to carry out the command, knowing that the results are in his favor. Timing is crucial. A well-executed reward for a spoken or signaled command results in the willingness to get the treat, pet or verbalized praise. Although, I have found a liver treat gets a much faster response – at least in the beginning phases of training – than a “good boy.”

It takes time to make this connection stick. Some dogs are less agreeable to training than others. Food doesn’t motivate some dogs but a toy given when the command is obeyed may be the perfect reward for a lively dog.

There are three phases to successful dog training: One – show the dog what you want. This is done by moving your dog into the desired position. In other words, if you are teaching your dog to ‘sit,’ have the motivator (treat, for instance) above his nose and lift it slightly so his nose moves upward. This will shift the dog’s weight from his front to his rear legs and has a tendency to lower his rear toward the ground.

Step 2 is to teach the dog what you want. This involves repeating the command without the motivator but still rewarding every time the action is done. Be sure to give a reward every time the dog does as you command. If you are always facing your dog when you showing him to sit, in the teaching phase you change the circumstances of the command; give the command from beside him, behind him or at a distance.

Three is to proof the action. When you proof you add in distractions when you give the command. If you normally train where it is quiet with no other dogs or people, then when proofing, you might have another dog in the area. Or, as someone walks close to you, tell your dog to sit. When he does, praise him but if he doesn’t, go back to the teaching phase. This is how to get perfect results in dog training. You have to be patient, persistent, consistent and have great timing. Positive reinforcement is the best method simply because it works best.

When an owner trains a dog using positive reinforcement, the dog will learn to associate specific behaviors with receiving praise or a reward. When your dog performs an action and is rewarded for it, he is likely to perform that action again.

Positive reinforcement when dog training is especially important during the initial training stages. Dogs crave positive attention from their owners and are very likely to repeat the actions that give them this positive attention over and over again. For example, when you use the “Stay” command with your dog and your dog stays, praise him, give him a treat, or both. With practice, when your dog hears the “Stay” command, he is more likely to stay again since he knows that he will receive praise and a treat.

You can also use positive reinforcement in most cases when your dog is behaving inappropriately. Most of the time when a dog is misbehaving, he is doing it to get attention. Dogs crave attention just like young children, and will often act out just to get that attention from you.

If your dog is misbehaving to get attention, the best thing for you to do is to ignore him or to take your attention away from him. For example, if your dog jumps on you when you walk through the door, turn your back on him and walk away. Do not give him any attention. If you give the dog attention by petting on him, you are encouraging him to jump on people as they walk through the door. Be mindful, however, that walking away from the dog does not mean that you have no plans to address this behavior. You are just not going to address it at that moment.

The second time that you walk through the door, give your dog a firm “Sit” or “Stay” command before you get through the door. Do not give him the opportunity to jump on you. When he obeys the command, give the dog praise and a reward. After some practice, your dog will know to sit still as you, or anyone else walks through the door.

It is very important when training your dog to only give him positive attention when he is behaving appropriately. Do not feel bad about walking away from your dog or ignoring him when he is unruly and is seeking attention. You must send a clear message to your dog at all times while training him. Do not send mixed messages as this will greatly prolong the training process.

Using positive reinforcement when training your dog works! You will find that if you only respond to your dog’s positive behaviors and ignore the negative ones, your dog will very quickly learn which behaviors are appropriate and which are not.

Positive reinforcement can be practiced in dog training. This is done by rewarding them if they are in their best behaviors with treats, walks, games, car rides or praise and ignoring their bad actions. The following are several benefits that you can get from this.

ANYONE CAN DO IT

Everyone in your family can be involved in coaching your pet and they can use positive reinforcement. It can be dangerous for a child to discipline a pup using a leash or any other form of punishment. By giving them dog treats and with an adult supervision, they will be able to know how to handle them the same way that you do. Strong voice and striking or hitting them is unnecessary. They will learn better if they are disciplined properly.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

Canines will easily understand what you want them to do and you can reward them if they do things correctly. They will more likely to repeat those proper behaviors if you will recognize their actions. If trainers will teach their dogs through punishment, it may cause confusion to them. A good example of this is when you catch your pooch urinating on the floor and you instantly hit them. You did this with the intention of telling them that what they did is not acceptable inside the house. The canine will interpret this differently. To them, urinating when you are around is not okay. This is a certainly a communication issue that what you want to relay to them is not understood.

This confusion can be avoided if you will discipline them in a positive way. Try bringing them outside of your house every morning to make them aware that it is where they should urinate or eliminate. If you will continuously do this, they will get used to the idea. There will be no need for punishment but instead, give them lots of treats and praises.

DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS

Every dog is unique and punishment will not work with aggressive canines. Their behavior can get worse. Shy or fearful pups will be more scared if the punishment will be used during training. With proper coaching, even different breeds and characters will benefit from it.

BOREDOM

There are instances when your pooch will excessively dig and chew anything. This is their way of letting you know that they are bored. When you train them you are preventing them from boredom. They can release their excess energy into something productive.

Make their coaching session fun and short. If they recognize that it will lead them to good things they will view their training as playtime and they will act more properly.

STRENGTHENS THE BOND

Positive reinforcement during dog training will help you bond more with your pet. Their trust to their master will develop and will grow stronger. If ever you feel like your patience is dwindling and you feel like hitting them, try to put yourself in their place. You will understand more what they will feel and as an owner, you will learn to treat them properly.