Positive Reinforcement Training
Positive reinforcement training attempts to build the dog’s self-esteem through praise and rewards. The trainer presents various commands, such as sit, stop, or come; then follow by providing a reward if the dog performs the command correctly. When the dog performs a behaviour that is desired, the trainer again provides a reward. Overtime, this type of training will have an effect on how the dog responds to commands in general and really help for any dog with aggression issues. As the dog begins to associate a command with praise or reward, it is likely that he will repeat the behaviour when given the chance.
Why Positive reinforcement Training?
One of the main advantages of using positive reinforcement training for dogs is not just that you are able to form a genuine bond with your dog, in addition to having your dog enjoy the training making it last much longer. Fear-based dog training methods can make the dog fearful, timid, and aggressive, which often leads to a pet owner having to re-learn how to train their pet. These new trainers are inevitably more frustrated and more prone to giving up and resorting back to fear techniques as a form of punishment; this will only worsen the original problem. If your dog is enjoying the training, as it is a form of stimulus, there is no reason to stop.
A major benefit of using positive reinforcement is that it is easy and inexpensive to train the dog. Fayie would recommend to never use; even as last resort fear-based negative reinforcement training, with that type of negative training, you can see yourself attempting to retrain the dog every few months in order to remove unnecessary unwanted behaviours. If you are struggling to train your dog, you should always sign up and reach out for Dog Training Classes.
Why Not Fear-based Negative Reinforcement Training
While fear-based negative reinforcement training can seem to show dominance over the dog showing that you are Alpha and provides quick results, it also impacts the dog’s mental state seriously enough to last a lifetime. A fearful, timid dog cannot easily learn basic commands or proper manners such as staying on a leash during walks. It is possible to retrain a fearful dog to be more confident and less aggressive, but the fear must never be removed entirely. Once a dog’s fear is conditioned, it cannot be completely returned to a previous level, no matter how many positive associations are used.
In fear-based negative reinforcement training, it is also much more difficult for a human being to tell whether the dog has learned something or not. In positive reinforcement training, it is easy to tell that the dog has learned something. The dog is more confident, more likely to listen to you, and is less likely to react aggressively again.
Benefits of Positive Reinforcement Training
It Will Improve Communication with Your Dog
Positive reinforcement training will help you learn to read your dog’s body language better. This is especially true when it comes to instructing the dog to do something, like sit or come. If the dog becomes confused about what type of body language you want, it may lead to an inadvertent failure in training that builds on top of itself and results in your dog becoming confused about commands that were once clear.
It Will Teach Your Dog to Trust You
When a dog trusts their owner, it improves your quality of life together. You’ll be able to go on more enjoyable walks, and you’ll be able to have easier vet visits, among other things. A dog that trusts their owner is a dog that can depend on their owner to keep them safe.
It Will Make Your Dog More Confident
Confidence is very attractive trait. When your dog feels confident it will make you feel more confident in owning a dog, including all of the responsibilities that come with it. Confidence is also attractive in its own right. When others see a confident dog, they know that you’re a responsible pet owner.
It Will Make You Feel Good About Yourself
Dogs are more affectionate and more loving. They’re also generally more tolerant of children and other living things and tend to be better loyal friends than cats. Dogs give people something to focus their care on, which is good for everybody involved
The Whole Family Can Be Involved
While it’s mostly the owner who trains the dog, everybody in the family should take care of their dog. The dog will be fonder of humans as a result of the positive experience they received from interacting with them. This is because the dog learns to associate human contact with good things, and so will want more of it.
Less Behavioural Issues
A well-trained dog is less likely to bark. The best way to train a dog is through positive reinforcement and rewards, like treats. This technique will keep the dog from becoming aggressive and less likely to bite.
You Will Gain a Lifelong Companion
A dog should be more than just a pet, it’s a companion, family to you. Positive reinforcement training will give you more control over your dog. This allows you to teach your dog the basic manners everyone should know, like not to play too roughly or jump on people. It also allows you to teach your dog tricks that will impress people, like the ability to shake hands and roll over on command. Positive reinforcement training a dog teaches them self-control while rewarding them for good behaviour. You will get a well-behaved dog and a dog that can follow directions & love you for you, not fearful of you.
Summary
Training a dog through positive approach and reinforcement will help your dog gain confidence in you and the rest of your family. They will then be able to become a self-sufficient dog with independence, so that they can be an active member in your family.
There is a very good chance you’ve already been using positive reinforcement training without even knowing it! There are many different methods of training dogs, but I assure you, positive reinforcement will be the best option for every do owner.
