History of Dog Training

History of Dog Training

• Civilian trainers used patience and rewards before WWI; demand for service dogs increased training severity during and after the wars.
• Post-WWII, many trainers adopted military methods, including choke chains, amidst a shortage of civilian trainers.
• Barbara Woodhouse popularized dog training through television in the 1970s, coinciding with the acceptance of physical corrections in training.
• In the 1980s, dominance theory emerged, emphasizing pack leadership and control, often tied to outdated practices.
• The 1990s saw a rise in positive methods, notably Clicker Training, which relies on operant conditioning, counteracting the previous forceful techniques.

Importance of Dog Training

• Essential for strengthening the bond between dog and owner, ensuring safety and behavior management.
• Aims not for robotic obedience, but for companionship and adherence to basic rules.

Training Methods

• Positive Reinforcement: Focuses on rewarding desired behaviors, emphasizing relationship-building and dog rehabilitation.
• Traditional Training: Often historical, seeks to eliminate unwanted behaviors without addressing root causes; can be harmful.

Positive Reinforcement Training

• Lure and Reward: Uses motivating objects to guide dogs into desired positions; correct behaviors marked by unique reward markers (e.g., "Yes").
• Shaping: Reinforces progressive steps toward a desired behavior, gradually increasing expectations.
• Clicker Training: Marks good behavior using a “clicker” for precise feedback and rewards.

Chaining

• Links sequential behaviors, where the outcome of one behavior acts as a cue for the next; can employ forward, backward, or total task methods.

Ttouch (Tellington Touch)

• Promotes cooperation through massage and body contact, improving rapport and addressing behavioral issues.

Aversive Training

• Utilizes punishment or force to modify behavior, associated with physical methods and often controversial due to possible abuse.

Koehler Method

• Employs physical punishment with tools like choke chains, criticized for its harshness and potential harm.

Pack Leadership/Dominance Theory

• Promotes outdated practices rooted in fear and intimidation; not scientifically supported and often results in detrimental behavior.

Impulse Control

• Teaching dogs to control natural instincts, vital for safety; foundational skills include "stay," "wait," and "leave it."
• Physical exercise and structured games can enhance impulse control.

Training Tools

• Collars & Harnesses: Used for control; improper fitting can cause injury. Various types include buckle, limited slip, head collars, and prong collars, each with specific applications and risks.
• Leashes: Essential for control; standard, long line, slip lead, and retractable versions serve different purposes.

Foundation of Dog Training

• Reward-Based Training: Emphasizes rewarding good behavior and redirecting unwanted actions; separation from traditional focus on punishment.
• Trainers need to be proactive in recognizing and encouraging positive behaviors to avoid reinforcing negative ones.

Skills of an Effective Dog Trainer

• Patience: Recognizing that behavior modification takes time; understanding the learning process is crucial.

• Consistency: Maintaining uniformity in commands and expectations to prevent confusion during training.### Positive Approach Canine Education

• Dogs lack the ability to understand nuances and grey areas, which require language comprehension that they do not possess.

• Successful dog training relies on the precise timing of rewards or corrections; a two-second window is ideal.

• Incorrect timing during physical punishment can lead to confusion and fear in dogs.

Flexibility in Training

• Trainers should avoid focusing solely on end results to prevent failure for both themselves and the dog.
• Breaking exercises into smaller, manageable tasks can enhance understanding and success for dogs.
• Perception of a dog as "stupid" or "stubborn" often stems from ineffective training techniques; adjusting methods can facilitate learning.

Relationship Building with Dogs

• A secure environment enables dogs to be happy; they must recognize their owner's leadership.
• Leadership is about mental authority, setting boundaries without coercion, prioritizing positive reinforcement.

Training Guidelines

• No Free Feeding: Control food intake by feeding puppies 2-3 times a day to establish owner authority.
• Sit/Down-Stay Before Feeding: Require dogs to perform a sit-stay before meals to reinforce discipline.
• Umbilical Cording: A practice that bonds the puppy to the owner while assisting in house training and leash training.

Enhancing Bond and Focus

• Rewarding Attention: Encouraging dogs to focus on their owner rather than distractions enhances engagement.
• Sleeping in Your Room: Allowing a puppy's bed in the bedroom fosters bonding and reinforces pack mentality.
• Appropriate Play: Engage in structured games like fetch and tug-of-war to promote positive physical interaction.

Behavioral Commands and Manners

• No Jumping Up: Turn away from jumping puppies, rewarding them only when all paws are on the ground.
• One Cue Communication: State commands once to teach dogs to respond without repetition, minimizing confusion.
• Sit-Stay at Doors: Teach dogs to sit and wait at doors, reinforcing calm behavior during exciting moments.

Training Philosophy

• Never Yell: Yelling indicates a loss of control and undermines the nurturing aspect of training.
• Avoid Physical Punishment: Physical corrections can instill fear, damaging the trust between owner and dog.

Keys to Successful Dog Training

• Good dogs are cultivated through dedicated training and commitment from their owners.
• Responsibility follows dog adoption; it's essential for owners to ensure their pets thrive emotionally and physically.