Dogs Dunne Right

The principles of dog training have changed in major ways during the last several years. How many of you remember being taught to hit the nose of your dog with a rolled up newspaper if he soiled in the house? Or smack him in the mouth if he growled while guarding his food or a toy? Or pinning him down by the neck if he displayed dominant behavior to prove that you were the "Alpha"?

Thankfully, those philosophies have been cast aside as we have recognized that training our loving, loyal dogs can be done in the same manner as training a dolphin or horse. Can you imagine hitting a killer whale to correct it's behavior?

Anyone can train a dog using patience and reward. Operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, bridging, classical conditioning, negative and positive consequences are all methods that work. Which one is best depends on each dog and his personality. But all are force-free.

Start with a SIT. Everywhere, Anywhere, Anytime, Everytime. Once you have taught your dog to SIT whenever, wherever you ask, you have the first stepping stone to an entire world of obedience commands and behavior changes.

The fundamental theory that makes training help any dog, whatever the issue, is working with the three D's: Distraction -- Duration -- Distance. When trying to change a pup's behavior, it is important to only work on one of these key factors at a time.

For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit-stay, you're working on Duration. Be sure that you stay close to your dog (Distance) and be sure that you are in a quiet environment (Distraction). Start by asking your dog to sit for very short periods of time with lots of rewards and praise. S-l-o-w-l-y increase the amount of time the dog sits and reward with each increased level.

Once proficient at a long sit-stay, add in one of the other D's -- can you walk away or will the dog get up? If you throw a ball, will the dog get up? Most likely the answer is yes! Again, introduce your next D at a very low level. Don't forget to praise when the dog does it right.

There is no need to correct or scold your dog during this exercise. Make training fun and filled with rewards. Keep sessions short, but frequent. By removing punishment, both you and your dog are more likely to remain patient and enjoy working together!

Dogs Dunne Right Training people how to train their dogs