Positive reinforcement in dog training is the first quadrant of operant conditioning and is a very powerful way to train dogs and humans. Positive reinforcement literally means increasing the likelihood of behavior occurring in the future by rewarding the behavior with something pleasant, like treats, toys, or money. Positive reinforcement teaches the dog to be confident and free in its own fur.
If we want the dogs to be trained in advanced obedience, it’s imperative to give them agency. We employ positive reinforcement techniques to teach basic obedience, such as the sit, down, or recall, and more advanced techniques such as searching, tracking, and agility.
Holistic training yields the best results. Extreme diets don’t work, and New Year’s resolutions fizzle out quickly. Dog training is a slow, methodical process. First, we need to prove that we, as owners, handlers, and trainers, are trustworthy. We must lead by example and let our actions do the talking. Second, we must help the dogs figure out the world around them. Dogs think in pictures. A really good dog trainer knows how to paint easy to understand pictures for dogs. And third, we need to figure out how to communicate fluently with our furry friends.
Do you like what your dog is doing? Great! Make sure you know how to tell your companion you love their behavior and you want them to continue doing the desired behavior. If not, we need to always make sure we are fair and objective when helping the dog find the right answer. There’s no such thing as a bad dog, just dogs that have been conditioned to engage in undesirable behaviors.
Get in contact with the team at Dynamic Canine Solutions and schedule a consultation to see how the team can help you improve your relationship with your dog utilizing positive reinforcement in your dog training.
