Handy Hints for Dog Training.
by Mrs Dianne Atkins
BE CONSISTENT
Remember be consistent. Set your ground rules at home and stick to them.
If you don't want your dog on the lounge do not allow it on the lounge
at all. A dog cannot understand that on Mondays it is allowed on the lounge
but on Friday it is not allowed. It's the same with jumping on you, a
dog does not understand that when it has clean paws it can jump up and
when they are dirty and wet he cannot. All you have to do is be consistent
with what you ask and you will succeed.
BE
UNDERSTANDING
All we are doing is teaching them our way of communicating. Our dogs are
better at communicating with their bodies. It is up to us to teach them
to understand our way of communicating in words. It is up to us to watch
and try to understand their body language as well. We do not punish foreigners
for not being able to understand us. We help them to learn.
BE
PATIENT
Train your dog when you are in a good mood. If it has been a bad day do
not feel you must go out and train. You can do more damage than good.
We all have these days and you are much better to forget training for
the day.
LURES
& REWARDS
LURE…………….. This is the first step in teaching
a new behaviour. We use food in our hand as a stimulus to get the dog
in the position we want. Ie. We shape the behaviour. When the dog has
responded in the correct way we reinforce by giving him the piece of food.
REWARDS……………. When a dog has learnt a behaviour
you must stop luring with food and begin to reward for a correct response.
That means your food must not be shown to the dog before the behaviour.
You only give the dog its reward AFTER the behaviour. Understanding the
difference between these two will make all the difference with your training.
If you do not change over from a lure to a reward, you will have a dog
that will only obey you when you have food in your hand. If you have problems
understanding when to make the change ask your Trainer, they are only
too happy to answer your questions.
LEARN
TO EARN
We call this programme "The Learn to Earn" because we are taking
your dogs off welfare. They learn to earn their rewards. All we ask of
the dog is if you want attention you do something for it. You can ask
them to sit if they come up to go for a pat. If they are sitting and pushing
you for attention, ask for a down before you give attention. It is a great
programme for a dog that seeks attention all the time. All you are doing
is asking them to earn a reward. You are taking them off welfare and getting
them to work.
REWARD
GOOD BEHAVIOUR
It is very easy for us to forget to reward a dog for being good. We tend
to ignore good behaviour and punish unwanted behaviour. How many times
would you tell your dog it is good for just lying down? It is very easy
to forget, but we must remember to reward the things we like. This does
not have to be with food, a "good boy" would do just as well.
PUNISHMENT
Punishing a dog by hitting with a rolled up newspaper or your hand will
not help with training your dog. It may even destroy your relationship
and the dog could become fearful and distrustful of you. Remember if you
reward good behaviour it will increase if you ignore unwanted behaviour
it will decrease. Don't leave your shoes out for him to chew. Don't expect
him to be housetrained in a week, be aware of his needs and watch him
carefully. Don't leave washing flapping on the line when you are out.
Set your dog up to succeed.
THE
TRAINING PROGRAMME
All exercises in this programme are to be used in every day life. These
exercises are not to be just practiced at a certain time or place each
day. Once your dog has an understanding of these words, use them in your
home every day. Teach them to the other members of your family. We want
you to have a dog that is a well-mannered pet, no one that just does these
exercises at a specific time. Ask your dog to sit while you place his
feed bowl on the ground. Ask for a wait at the gait. Ask for a sit while
you put your shoes on. Get him to down and wait while you have dinner.
By making this small effort now you will be rewarded with a well-mannered
pet that can be included in your family. It will be well worth the effort.
YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR DOG
Please do not put your dog in a dangerous or stressful situation. They
are your responsibility. Be aware of their needs at all times and be conscious
of the dangers around them. Always supervise them when around young children
or other dogs, never allow them to run in an unfenced area. Use your common
sense and your dog will be a happy and well adjusted dog that will fit
into our community.
RECOMMENDED
READING
"Your Ideal Dog" by David and Ruth Weston
"Think Dog" by John Fisher
"The Dogs Mind" by Bruce Fogle
"The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey
"Why Does My Dog" by John Fisher