Dog training is basically the application of behaviour analysis that applies the natural occurring external events of past antecedent and subsequent results to alter the dog’s behaviour, either to aid in certain tasks or undertake specific tasks, or even for it to behave effectively in modern domestic life. The word ‘dog’ is a Greek word referring to a domesticated creature of the Canis lupus familiaris. Domesticated means having been domesticated or controlled by man.
A good dog training regime would make sure that the dog is always well-behaved and does not misbehave. A very well-behaved dog is a well-behaved pet. A pet with no good behavior gets no love from its owner. The best way to achieve this is to provide the pet with positive reinforcement rewards that are attached to its good behavior.
The two main components of dog training include positive reinforcement and motivational training. Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) involves using treats and positive words or verbal applause for good behavior. The purpose of this type of training is to teach the pet the right and proper behavior. Also called the dog-owner correlation technique, PRT creates a positive association between good behavior and praise. This strengthens a pet’s self-respect since it knows that it will receive a treat or some other sort of attention when it behaves well.
Motivational training includes dog training methods such as clicker training and visual/audio stimulation. With the clicker method, a small “clicker” is clicked at the end of every meal, the pet hears the sound and then learns to associate the sound with eating. Clickers also have the advantage that they cannot be mistaken for ordinary noises, so the dog does not feel scared when it hears the clicking sound. Also, the sound of the clicker can be used to train a dog to sit or to come to the owner’s side. The visual/audio stimulation is intended to train the dog in a way similar to sight and hearing of an item that is moving.
Both types of dog training have their pros and cons. For example, using treats as a form of dog training means that dogs learn at a much faster rate than using actual food treats. Also, because there is no real competition between the pet and the owner, the pet learns to accept the treats as part of his regular diet. Some experts believe, however, that most pets would quickly adapt to regular food rewards if given the opportunity to do so. Rewards are also the best form of dog training since they are given at the right time and they can be combined with different behavior.
The basic idea behind classical conditioning is to use one stimulus (like the clicker or a sound) to trigger the animal’s response to another. Classical conditioning can be used to train both new and old animals. This type of dog training uses positive reinforcement to motivate a dog to obey and perform a desired behavior. In this way, the animal learns to respond to a positive stimulus and not to a negative one.
It should be noted that classical conditioning is only effective when there is a consistent supply of the proper type of treat, not just any old treat that will get the dog to comply. If the trainer is continuously using treats as a form of dog training, the behavior that is desired will become automatic. This means that if the dog does not see or hear the treat, he will be unable to understand why he is being penalized and will not act appropriately. This is the main downfall of using treats in this manner; they must be used as a constant stimulus.
While both are effective dog training methods, a trained dog is better able to control his environment as well as perform any task required of him without receiving negative consequences. Because clicker training uses a remote training collar that emits a mild electronic sound, no punishment is necessary in most cases. The trainer receives no negative feedback and motivates the dog to perform accordingly.