Tips for Training
Reinforcement
What?
★ Positive reinforcement is key to helping your dog learn!
★ Avoid any punishment!!!
★ Make training fun!
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Why?
âž” It's science - the more positive associations your dog has with something, the more they're going to do it.
âž” Punishment creates fear in your dog, can damage your relationship and doesn't guarantee long term change!
âž” By making sessions as fun as possible then more you both enjoy it and the better your dog will learn.
Rewards
What?
★ Find your dogs favourite rewards!
★ Reward any good behaviour that you want to see.
★ Ditch the bowl - use your dogs dinner for training!
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Why?
âž” Understandably, your dog will work harder to get access to their favourite things.
âž” Ensuring you reward the stuff you want will increase its likelihood of reoccurring.
âž” By using you dogs dinner during training you can ensure your dog wont get fat, and you don't waste such useful rewards.
Games
What?
★ Play games with your dog regularly!
★ Make training into games.
★ Don't take training too seriously!
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Why?
âž” By playing with your dog you'll have a great bond together.
âž” Using games to teach your dog ensures you both enjoy the sessions.
âž” Remember, it must be fun for your dog to learn, if you're getting stressed or bored, they will be too.
Practise
What?
★ Play the training games that you're both good at!
★ Practise new things in short intervals.
★ Stop before your practise gets boring!
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Why?
âž” Playing and practising what you're both good at will ensure you're having fun and are focused.
âž” Shorter time working on a new skill will reduce the chances of accidentally reinforcing the wrong behaviour.
âž” If it gets boring or even confusing, your dog may stop paying attention and then your cue word means nothing to them!
