Taking too long? Close loading screen.
June 27th
Your puppy may be the cutest dog in the world. But training them will take a lot of work and commitment. Many dog owners will get frustrated throughout the training process and turn to punishment to teach their dog. But it’s important that you avoid punishment and focus on positive reinforcement when training.
What is positive reinforcement? It’s when you reward your dog for good behavior without punishing them when they do something wrong. Positive reinforcement is the most effective way of training your dog just about any command. It also helps you build a strong bond with your dog, establishing trust and clear communication.
The Whole Family Can Train Your Dog
Positive reinforcement is the safest way of training your dog, allowing everyone in the family to participate in the process.
Other training methods require strength and leashes. With positive reinforcement, all you need is a reward for your dog. If you have kids, they can reinforce good behaviors by giving your dog treats and plenty of praise.
Clear Communication
One of the main benefits of using positive reinforcement is that it allows you to establish trust with your dog. By giving your dog positive rewards when they do something right, you’re letting them know what type of behavior you want from them.
Punishment doesn’t work well for dog training because many dogs do not know what they are being punished for. They get scared and anxious, and don’t know what they did wrong.
For example, many dog owners will yell at their puppy whenever they pee inside. However, the puppy often does not understand that this yelling is because they peed. They’ll get scared, not understanding what they did wrong.
Instead of yelling at your dog for peeing inside, positive reinforcement methods say that you should praise them and reward them when they pee outside. They will soon learn that they only receive a reward when they do their business outside.
By using positive reinforcement instead of punishment for training, you can more quickly and effectively teach your dog a wide range of commands. You’ll also build a better relationship, one based on trust rather than on fear.
Teach Them Just About Any Command
Dogs really love to be rewarded. What makes positive reinforcement so effective is that it uses this love of treats and praise to get a dog’s attention. With this method, you can teach your dog just about any command, from sitting to running through an obstacle course.
Positive reinforcement is also one of the best ways of fixing behavioral problems, such as jumping up or barking. Many dog owners try to punish their dogs to correct these behaviors. However, punishment often makes dogs anxious, which can worsen the very behaviors you’re trying to get rid of.
Punishment can also make dogs much more aggressive, especially if they already have aggressive tendencies. Positive reinforcement brings out the best in dogs, rather than trying to scare them.
Engage Your Dog
Dogs are quite smart, and they need a lot of mental stimulation to stay sharp. Positive reinforcement engages them by offering a reward for good behavior, but only if they stay focused and learn the command.
Training will burn quite a bit of energy and keep your dog from getting bored. Dogs are much less likely to bark and act out when they are engaged and active.
Fastest Training Method
Even the best training method can take some time. But positive reinforcement remains the fastest way of training your dog new commands.
Dogs learn much better from rewards than they do from fear. This is what makes positive reinforcement so effective for teaching dogs. They want to figure out what behavior will get them a reward, and will do everything they can to continue to get treats. This leads to quick learning and reinforcement of commands.
Fun For The Dog
Many training methods can be monotonous, boring your dog, and boring you as well. Positive reinforcement keeps things lighthearted and playful, engaging both dog and trainer. When a dog is having fun, they’re much more likely to learn and remember commands.
Build A Strong Bond With Your Dog
Dogs are the ultimate companions, never leaving your side when you form a bond. But it takes a lot of work to build a strong relationship with a dog. Positive reinforcement can help you connect with your dog and build a permanent bond.
Unlike methods that use shocks or other punishments, positive reinforcement is all about trust. Your dog learns that they can always count on you to reward them when they behave well. And they won’t fear punishment, helping you
Positive reinforcement is the most effective method for teaching dogs a wide range of different behaviors. But it won’t work overnight, especially when your dog is first learning the ropes.
It’s important that you stay patient throughout the training process and that you don’t rush. Many dog owners will get frustrated while training, and begin to punish their dog instead of praising them.
Although this may seem effective, you’ll actually slow down the training process whenever you get angry at your dog. They may start to fear you, or get anxious when they have to train.
When using positive reinforcement, try to keep the training sessions as lighthearted as possible. If you notice that your dog’s attention is starting to wander, stop training and let them have some time to rest.
Offer Great Rewards
Dogs will only be engaged if you offer them treats that they will be willing to work for. That’s why it’s crucial to pick out a reward that engages your dog.
When you first start training, use a treat that they only get on rare occasions. When your dog sees it, they’ll think “I’m getting that treat, this must be important.” They’ll be more engaged, and more willing to pay attention.
As your dog gets more comfortable with the training process, you can switch to an everyday treat. You can stop giving them treats as frequently the more they learn, and eventually switch to mainly rewarding them with praise.
Are you still looking for your dream dog? Then head over to our puppy finder. At Uptown Puppies, we connect you to a network of some of the best breeders and companies around.
Every breeder and company we work with follows strict breeding and ethical standards. That means that none of their dogs ever come from puppy mills or from backyard breeders.
More Puppy Insights
Find the Perfect Puppy
