Thinking Through Your Dog Training Methods

When it comes to dog training, it isn’t necessary to reinvent the wheel. There is plenty of good dog advice, many excellent books, and no shortage of reputable dog training classes to help you with your pets. Regardless of whether you are going it alone or trying to follow a particular method, it is very important that you and your dog are working toward the same goal. That is, you do not want to get into what might be termed a “games” condition where you and your dog are covertly working against each other. For example, unusual or cruel punishment is generally used to satisfy a hidden urge or need of the owner rather than cause a desired behavior in the dog. Even though cruel punishment may bring about the so-called desired behavior, the dog will hate the owner, and both dog and owner will spend their time together in “secret” opposition to the other.

Before choosing a particular training method, carefully examine the technique to ensure that it will communicate proper associations. Also, think the training method through. Certain methods may not communicate what you intend. For example, in one situation we have heard of, a dog-aggressive Akita was enrolled in a training program that seemed reputable to the owner. In this case, the trainer convinced the owner that the only way to break the Akita of aggression toward other dogs was to let a more dominant dog put him in his place. The trainer’s own dog happened to be an alpha dominant. The trainer put the two dogs together with the idea to let nature take its course–that the two dogs would work things out. In the end, this particular strategy did not out well. The training session was brought to a halt when the trainer heard an unexpected crashing. When she entered the room, she found her own dog beaten and injured. The Akita, on the other hand, had just had its own aggressive, dominant behavior rewarded with a triumph over the other alpha.

Now, this trainer’s method may have on some occasions been effective. But the level of thought behind this training technique is poor. It appears to be based not on logic or any real understanding of dog behavior but a sort of arrogance-based bravado on the part of the trainer. Be sure that you take the time to judge whether a training method makes sense or not.

If you’d like to really learn about how dogs behave and how train to get real and humane results, we suggest the Sit, Stay, Fetch course. However, there is a wealth of information available not only on the Internet, but at your local library as well. Take the time to educate yourself. If you are serious about your pet, don’t be afraid to spend a little money on its well being.

 

 

[tags]dog advice,tips on dog training,how dogs behave,good dog training methods,best dog training,dog training strategies [/tags]

Related posts:

1. Weird Dog Training–Go Figure . . .
2. Training Your Dog with Dog Clicker Training
3. Methods To Be Beneficial Using Puppy Crate Training
4. What You Need to Know About Aggressive Dog Behavior in Female Dogs
5. Use These Suggestions To Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior