Ideal Dogs
Skilled and Artful Dog Training IdealDogs@gmail.com
760.992.6558
760.992.6558
Ideal Teaching Methods
DOGS DO WHAT IS REWARDING FOR THEM AT THE MOMENT
- Identify what it is you want from your dog
- Find what is rewarding for your dog at the given moment
- Reward you dog for behavior that you wish to see repeated
- Remove what rewards your dog for behavior you don't wish to see repeated
What rewards your dog? Food is the easy to control and administer, some dogs will work for praise or for a ball toss.
What is rewarding to your dog at the given moment? A dog with a full belly probably won't want a food reward. If a reward can't be found for that given moment then one might choose to simply manage the situation and teach or train the dog at a better time.
Find what is rewarding for your dog (food, toy, praise, etc.). Withhold the reward prior to training session.
When you see behavior you like reward it immediately. Reward that behavior every time you see it.
Identify what rewards your dog for behaviors that you find unappealing. Dog barks when doorbell rings and is rewarded by seeing a visitor when you open the door. Remove that reward by not opening the door. Have visitor keep ringing doorbell without you opening the door. When dog ceases to bark, reward him by opening the door and allowing him to visit.
REWARD/REINFORCEMENT TRAINING IS NOT PERMISSIVE
Using rewards to encourage desirable behavior does not mean an owner must be lenient. Dogs living in a human environment need rules and boundaries. These rules are enforced by making "obedience" a highly rewarding experience and making "disobedience" boring and/or causing the removal of any rewards. Additionally, the environment may need to be managed or manipulated during the dog's learning phase.
PAYING ATTENTION
All dog trainers and dog sport competitors place their highest priority on getting a dog's attention during training sessions. The dog who places focus on his owner/trainer is less distracted from his surroundings making communication much easier.
REMOVING FEAR
Many behavior problems (barking, biting, not listening, etc.) are habits that are derived from fear or mistrust. Fear is a survival instinct for any animal and reaction to fear can greatly affect a dog's behavior. It is frequently misunderstood by humans and causes rapid breakdown in the dog-human relationship.
Most fear issues are best solved with the help of a professional dog trainer. The dog's body language must be properly interpreted, the fear triggers identified, and it is crucial that proper steps are taken to assist the dog without causing further emotional stress.
Signs that your dog may be stressed or fearful:
Hides behind things or people
Refuses high value food even if hungry
Avoids eye contact
Excessive licking or scratching
Pacing or hyperactivity
Panting or salivating
Shedding
Diarrhea, unusual urination or marking
Licking lips
Yawning
Sneezing
Shaking off
Trembling
Dilated pupils
Whining, growling and sometimes barking
Sweaty feet (watch ground or floor for prints)
PUPPY CLASSES
It is very important that puppies attend socialization classes and meet several new dogs and several new people every single day until the age of five months. Additionally, puppies should be exposed to many different sounds, stand on different surfaces, and be joyfully tolerant of having all their body parts handled. Neglecting this step in a pet dog's upbringing can create training challenges in the future.
For more information visit these links:
RescueMeDog.org
FearfulDogs.com
SFSPCA.org
ClickerTraining.com
DogStarDaily.com
