Dog Training – Work For Everything

People often ask; “What is the best piece of advice for training my dog?” The answer? “Work for everything using positive reinforcement.” This is actually the oldest, most simple concept in dog training and builds off of a dog’s natural instincts as well as thousands of years of a pre-trained handling. To explain why this concept is so successful in achieving the best training results but also provides a highly enhanced bond is because of understanding the complete psychology of a dog’s basic needs.
Here are some simple tips to help you understand how to best implement the “Work for everything” approach.
1. Understand Your Dog’s Drive (Motivation) – for most dogs, there are three key factors that motivate them to perform; praise (vocal, loves and rubs); treats or toys. Find out which is the most preferred and responded to reward.
2. No Freebies – this is crucial to successfully maintaining your dog’s desire to please you while achieving your training results – no freebies means, no treats, people food, loves and rubs or other rewards without performing some sort of desired behavior or command properly prior. Even if you want to pet your dog, simply make him sit before giving him the affection, he’ll associate listening to your every command with some kind of reward at all times. And who doesn’t love a reward?
3. Avoid Negative Reinforcement – the only negative reinforcement a well-trained dog should need is a corrective verbal “Ah-Ah”. Using physical force, raising your voice or worse is only detrimental to achieving your results. It is simple; fear is a terrible motivator and can cause irreparable psychological damage. Dogs have emotions and just like people much prefer positive treatment and praise.
4. Have Target End Goals – training your dog to sit is nice, roll over is fun, but basic obedience is truly designed to have a easy-to-manage, well-behaved dog, while at the same time, the dog is still absolutely happy and content to live within your designated boundaries and guidelines. Decide which training activities you want your dog to learn and why. You typically achieve your results faster having a real-world application in mind.
Dog training is one of the most challenging and rewarding activities a pet owner can experience with a domesticated animal. “Work for everything” creates the best possible owner/pet bond while also having a very mentally happy and physically healthy dog.
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