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Training your dog with positive reinforcement means training with rewards. Scientifically it’s proven to be the best way to train dogs. Here we look at some aspects and how to train your dog using positive reinforcement.
Dogs respond well to praise, as well as food or toys. Positive reinforcement training uses rewards for desired behaviours. The reward makes your dog more likely to repeat the behavior. Making positive reinforcement one of the most powerful tools for shaping or changing a dog’s behavior. There are a few reasons why training with rewards is the preferred and recommended way to train your dog.
There are different ways you can reward your dog. You will need to work out which reward works best for you and your dog. Henry being a fox red Labrador likes food as his reward. But some dogs like toys or just attention.
Once you have decided on the type of reward, you can start thinking about the behaviour you want to teach your dog.
Some of the basic commands that can be taught with reward training include sit, stay, come, down, heel, off, drop, leave.
You must keep your commands simple. Dogs don’t understand sentences! It is also importsnt to keep calm and to be consistent. And when your dog performs the correct behaviour, it is important to reward immediately.
to train your dog to sit, you would have something they want in your hand. Then with your dog facing you, and maybe using a lead for control, position your hand just above your dog’s nose. Then move your hand slowly in an arc, up and back over your dog’s head. Your dog’s nose will follow it, and as their head goes up, their bottom will come down to the floor. On these initial attempts you just praise your dog or say yes, and give them the treat. You would then keep reinforcing this behaviour but the moving hand would be empty and the treat would be in the other hand – which you would give after they have sat. Once they can perform sitting by hand signal alone, then you can incorporate the word “sit” and reduce the hand movement until the finally associate the word sit with the action.
Any training to a command word takes time and perseverance from you and your dog. You need to make sure you are choosing a good time of day to engage in training. After a walk or a short period after a meal so they are not really hungry.
Reward training can be really good fun and you will create a wonderful bond with your dog. He wants you to be happy so your praise and positivity with encourage him to try hard for you.
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