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Introduction to Dog Training
Home » Pets » Dog Training - Training for Special Purposes » Introduction to Dog TrainingDog may be man's best friend, but that doesn't mean a man doesn't want to train his dog to do exactly what he wants. "Sit," "Stay," "Roll over," and "Play dead" are only the tip of the dog training iceberg.
The most famous research into dog training is Ivan Pavlov's study, in which Pavlov conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell. Years later, B.F. Skinner advanced this study by using reinforcers (either positive or negative) to elicit specific actions. While this research was especially significant because of its insight into human psychology, it also has obvious relevance in dog training.
Accordingly, most dog training today utilizes praise to reward desirable actions and discipline to punish disobedience. For example, the best way to housebreak a dog is to lavish praise on him and give him a treat each time he relieves himself in the proper spot. If you catch him relieving himself inappropriately, offer a stern "Bad Dog!" and then immediately take him outside to finish.
Rewards and punishments must be connected directly to an act--your dog cannot make abstract connections between present rewards or punishments and past actions. Most dog trainers recommend a greater emphasis on positive than on negative reinforcers, but both praise and discipline are necessary for effective dog training.
A well-trained dog is a happier, more enjoyable, and more useful dog. You can take an obedient dog out in public without worrying that she will run away or bark at strangers or other dogs. No longer will your dog jump on visitors to your home, soil your carpet, or chew up your slippers. In addition, the extensive time you spend praising and disciplining your dog will only serve to deepen your emotional connection with the dog. Finally, as we will see in other articles, a well-trained dog is able to perform a wide variety of specialized jobs that seem impossible otherwise.
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