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A balanced dog is a happy dog

Adams K-9 LLC

Quarterly Article

Obedience is Suppose to be Fun

Randy Adams M.S.

Watch dog handlers work their dogs on the trial fields and you will be able to tell who uses compulsion and who uses positive reinforcement in their training. The happy prancing dog is the one who has enjoyed the experience of learning obedience. Family pets also should be trained using positive reinforcement. Happy go lucky dogs have had the experience of positive reinforcement in their training regimen. The dog that looks depressed, shy’s away, or acts scared of their owner most likely has experienced learning through negative reinforcement or punishment. Everyone can agree that they want the happy go lucky dog. You don’t need a clicker to use operant conditioning in training your dogs. Dogs will respond to positive praise, food, and toys. It all comes down to timing

The primary reinforcer is food. Primary reinforcers can be described as something needed to survive. Food and water are forms of primary reinforcers. All dogs need to eat and will respond positively to food. You sit you get fed. Timing is important to training. The reward must come within ½ second to 1 second after the behavior. If the reward is not immediate, the dog will not pare the reward with the behavior.

Secondary reinforcers are items or stimuli that are acquired and the dog first needs to learn to appreciate them. A ball or toy is an example of a secondary reinforcer. Dogs need to learn to play with a ball and enjoy that toy before it can be used as a reinforcer for a behavior. Again timing is crucial in training with secondary reinforcers. The toy must immediately follow the behavior.

Now comes the fun stuff, training. Yes, training is supposed to be fun. Dogs are experts at reading energy. If you are in a bad mood or having a bad day, take the day off from dog training. Be calm and assertive when working with your dog. Dogs also can tell when you are getting frustrated. So, know that your dog is going to learn in small steps and take your time. Reward the wanted behavior with a treat. After several sessions you will see the improvement in your dog.

Obedience training is supposed to challenge your dog psychologically and help burn some energy. End every training session with play time. Play fetch with your dog. Run with them. Always, leave the training area with the dog always wanting more. Do not over due it and burn your dog out. If Fido is acting like he is losing interest and the game is not fun anymore, you worked him too much. Short fun sessions are the key. Training sessions should be no more than 10 minutes long. Take baby steps and work towards your ultimate goal.

I always use food or a favorite toy in teaching new behaviors. I feel a food tends to bring quicker results because the toy excites the dog too much. It always depends on what works best for each individual dog. After the training session is over and make the final reward the dog’s favorite toy. With very excitable dogs I do not use the toy during the session because I have found that the toy makes the dog too excited. Using a toy will motivate the dog to try and take short cuts or anticipate the toy which will take them out of position or move until being commanded to move.

Keep your training sessions short. Always end the training on a positive note and the dog wanting more. Before you know it you will have a happy prancing dog obeying all your commands.