Back to basics…
Dogs are incredible learners, and it’s amazing to see how they can adapt to different situations and environments. They can learn new skills, behaviours, and commands. Understanding how dogs learn can help us train them effectively, improve their behaviour, and strengthen our bond with them.
Positive reinforcement is the most popular and effective method of training dogs. It involves rewarding a dog for good behaviour, such as sitting, lying down, or staying. The reward can be anything that the dog likes, such as treats, toys, or verbal praise. When a dog receives a reward for performing a behaviour, it is more likely to repeat that behaviour in the future.
One of the key factors in how dogs learn is the timing and the value of the rewards. Dogs learn best when the reward is given immediately after the behaviour. If there is a delay between the behaviour and the reward, the dog may not associate the two and may not learn as effectively.
Here are my top five training tips:
Use a high-value treat: When you are using treats to train your dog, it's important to use a treat that your dog really loves. This will help keep your dog motivated to learn and to perform the desired behaviour. High-value treats can be small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or a special type of dog treat that your dog only gets during training sessions.
Timing is everything: Timing is crucial when it comes to dog training. It is important to give them a treat as soon as they perform the desired behaviour. This will help them associate the behaviour with the reward and increase the likelihood that they will perform the behaviour again.
Use intermittent reinforcement: Once your dog has learned the desired behaviour, you can start using intermittent reinforcement. This means that you don't reward your dog every time they perform the behaviour. Instead, you can reward them randomly, but still frequently enough to keep them motivated. This is important because if you reward your dog every time they perform the behaviour, they may start to expect the reward and become less motivated to perform the behaviour without it.
Keep training sessions short: Puppies and some dogs have a short attention span, so it's important to keep training sessions short and sweet. You can start with just a few minutes of training at a time and gradually increase the time as your dog becomes more comfortable and motivated. Always try to end your training sessions on a high note and don’t try to force them if they become frustrated. Let them decompress and then try again later.
Mix up the rewards: It's important to mix up the type of rewards you give your dog during training sessions. You can use treats, verbal praise, or even a toy as a reward. This will keep your dog motivated and interested in the training session.
Communication between the owner and the dog is important, if the dog is not understanding what is being asked of them they may get frustrated.
In conclusion, understanding how dogs learn is key to training them effectively and improving their behaviour. Positive reinforcement is the most effective and humane method of training. Timing, consistency, and understanding your dog’s individual needs and personality are all important factors to consider when training your furry friend. Don’t forget, when teaching your dog anything new to use verbal and physical cues. This will ensure good communication and if in the future your dog ever lost their sight or hearing you still have a form of communication with them.