Who's Training Who?

Is it DOG training or HUMAN training? Ask any dog, they will tell you that training humans is harder than you think. We've all seen it. Moose taking his human for a walk. The entire time the human is struggling to keep up. What Moose would really like is for his human to find a pace that is comfortable for both of them and to be able to relax and not have to bark at everything passing by. Just like humans, dogs have a particular way of learning. In this blog we will touch on a few of many training methods to help you be on the same pace as your dog and enjoy every day. Some of the popular styles today are Positive Reinforcement, Relationship Based, E-Collar, and Alpha/Dominance. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and can overlap from one to another. The key is to become familiar with a few and give you a starting point for the best results for both you and your dog.

Positive Reinforcement

The focus is on the good behavior and ignoring or not acknowledging the unwanted behavior. When using positive reinforcement it is imperative to reward the desired behavior immediately. Rewards can be treats or food based, verbal praising, or playing with a high value toy. To avoid over feeding your dog, you can use a portion of the food from their daily meals for training. Another style that falls into positive reinforcement is clicker training. As with food, the minute the dogs demonstrates the wanted behavior the trainer clicks the clicker and rewards the dog. Dogs want to please their human, and praising them for a job well done helps instill the desired behavior.

Relationship Based

Relationship based training is much like Positive Reinforcement, where the dog is rewarded or praised for the desired behavior. It's believed to be a life-style, that builds a bond between the dog and the trainer working together for a positive behavior outcome. When you have a strong bond with your dog, they want to work for and please you. This method does require time, patience, and dedication. Every interaction with your dog is a learning experience. Using Relationship based training can work with any age, size, or breed of dog as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort to build a strong relationship with your dog.

E-Collar

E-collars (electronic collars) is a training method that has a collar and remote that delivers different level stimulation, a vibration or tone to redirect the dog's attention from an undesired behavior. Some individuals believe there is potential for abuse when using the e-collar. Other say when used properly, and with other methods of training, e-collars can be a very effective tool for some dog behaviors. It is very important to do your research and find the most appropriate system for your dog's size, type, and behavior.

Alpha/Dominance

There are a variety of opinions about this method of training. An article published by RSPCA has a very good explanation of the history behind Alpha type training. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-the-rspcas-view-on-dominance-dog-training/ .

Summary

No matter what training method you find suits you and your dog best, there is no magic wand that makes training happen quickly. When you have a regular training schedule and are consistent with the method you use, you will build a strong bond with your dog and find the outcome is very rewarding.

It's important to do your research and find the training style you are most comfortable with and a trainer to assist you in being the best human your dog has trained.