Welcome to puppy training
Puppy Training Article
![]()
This is a selection made from among articles on Puppy Training. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Using Rewards And Punishments In Puppy Training: Part 1
from:Puppies and dogs learn new things or change their behavior only if the undesirable behavior is punished or the desirable behavior rewarded. We can reward a dog for performing certain tasks on command, such as sitting, lying down, or coming, with simple petting, affection, and praise. You can also use rewards for coming when called, for sitting when strangers arrive at the door rather than jumping up on them, or for going to rest on his bed when people are visiting.
For rewards you can use reinforcement such as petting or verbal reassurance like saying "good dog." Another reward is food treats, if given judiciously, especially foods the puppy really enjoys such as a piece of meat. It is not our position that using food treats to train puppies "spoils" them, because the treat may simply be phased out by giving it less and less frequently, while retaining the praise and affection.
Most puppies learn rapidly and quite willingly if there are rewards, and in most cases punishment is not necessary. Praise and affection, along with food treats, can be used to house-train puppies, especially when they are taken outdoors and can eliminate in a desirable area.
Punishment can be thought of as being either interactive or remote. In interactive punishment, the owner hits an animal with his hand or with a rolled-up newspaper, shouts at it, or in other ways makes it obvious that an aversive stimulus is coming from the person. The animal clearly associates the unpleasant stimulus with the person giving it.
Unfortunately, dog owners are frequently misguided about how to use interactive punishment.
Interactive punishment is indicated when owners must assert their dominance over dogs to maintain an acceptable dominant-subordinate relationship, especially when threatened. A dog's growling or snapping at you when it is not a reflection of fear is best met with force. Dogs are social animals that respond naturally to factors in a dominance hierarchy, and their growling or snapping at you is an indication that they have not completely accepted your dominant position. In fact, insufficient dominance, one of the most common behavioral problems of a dog-owner relationship, often stems from a lack of assertiveness on the owner's part.
Breeds differ in the degree to which they display a tendency to be dominant over their owners. The tendency to be dominant also varies with whether we are dealing with male or female dogs. A breed such as a Shetland Sheepdog, which is very low on tendency to be dominant, may never need to be confronted with interactive punishment, whereas a Doberman Pinscher or Akita may need periodic reinforcement of the dominance position with a sharp voice.
Puppy Training News
Life With Ferris: Puppy Training – Who’s Training Who? (The Chattanoogan)
I am determined to house train my new puppy. I take him outside several times a day, my pocket heavy with treats. I say “Hurry up!” like my training manual suggests so that he will learn to relieve himself immediately upon hearing that phrase.
Read more...FUN4DOGS ~ PET DOG TRAINING CLASSES (Jersey Insight)
Puppy socialisation classes, Non competitive training for dogs of any age. Certified experienced P.D.T.I. instructor, Private tuition and behavioural training.
Read more...Dog fees upped, puppy training now required when adopting from county Animal Services (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
LIVE OAK -- If you get pulled over for driving under the influence and you have Fido with you, tack on another $75 fine to the hefty fees you face.
Read more...DHA Omega 3 Pet Supplements Enhance Puppy Trainability (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
Cranimals introduces the first DHA based pet supplement combined with key nutrients - formulated specifically for optimal cognitive development in puppies.
Read more...Search-and-rescue training dog found dead (Spring-Ford Reporter & Valley Item)
The search- and-rescue dog missing from her residence along Church Street late Friday night was found dead Monday afternoon.
Read more...Paw Prints (Press & Sun-Bulletin)
Females: Beagle mix, tan/black, 2 years; Jack Russell mix, black/tan, 5 years; husky/shepherd mix, black/tan/white, 3 years; Pitt Bull/Lab mix, black, 2 years.
Read more...Michael Jackson custody fight delayed (CNN)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Read more...













