The Importance of Training and Obedience For Dogs
Dogs are our favourite pets worldwide because they are our devoted, affectionate, and clever companions. However, having dogs come with the responsibility of providing them with proper training, care, and attention. In a previous article about dog behaviour, we concluded: “Problem behaviour is rarely a sign of a ’bad dog’. Our dogs often just miss the necessary exercise or are confused and don’t know what’s expected of them”. Therefore, our pups must be trained to adapt to their domestic surroundings and form strong bonds with us.
Teaching new habits, commands, and skills is vital to their socialisation and development and is essential for their security and keeps them from participating in dangerous and destructive behaviours. Training also contributes to developing a close relationship with them, fostering communication, mutual respect, and trust. Hence, it is imperative that we invest time and effort in training our pups, either through self-training or seeking professional help. Also, in the age of AI deedoggy helps you with an AI-powered online tool too. Find out more from the three videos embedded in this article. Here's the first one (don't forget to click the unmute icon 🔇 in the video):
Tips and practical dog training techniques for less experienced owners
Understanding the training needs of our puppies
If one piece of advice from this blog you'll remember, it should be the following: consult a professional dog trainer before you start training your dog. Our first dog was a wonderful wire hair dachshund. Unfortunately, we missed this first step with his training and only realised years later how many avoidable mistakes I made whilst I tried to train our stubborn alpha wiener. Ten years later (and wiser), our first trip with our bull terrier was to a renowned trainer. It was the best investment to save frustration and mistakes and focus my efforts on some terrier and 'bully specific' behaviours he pointed out for us.
An experienced trainer will only need twenty minutes to observe you with your dog in a training situation to provide invaluable advice about the breed and how you should behave with your pup. Dogs are very attuned to body language, tone of voice and intonation. A trainer will tell you what you need to correct in your body language, tone of voice and timing of your commands. For example, they may help you understand how to use your posture and eye contact and how to give clear and concise orders to convey different messages to your dog more effectively.
When training puppies, it's essential to understand their developmental stages and the specific needs of their breed. Puppies have short attention spans and may be unable to handle long training sessions. So training sessions should be kept short and fun. They also need plenty of socialisation and exposure to new people, places, and things. Make sure to give your dog plenty of positive experiences. Additionally, socialisation is critical during the early months of a puppy's life, so exposing them to new people, animals, and environments can help prevent fear and aggression issues down the road.
Here's the second part of the video about deedoggy's GPT training assistant:
Choosing a dog training method
It's important to choose a training method that fits your puppy's personality and your training style. Some popular training methods include positive reinforcement, clicker training and dominance training.
Positive reinforcement training for dogs is a training method that focuses on rewarding desirable behaviours with immediate treats, praise, and access to the favourite toy or other positive stimuli while ignoring or redirecting undesirable behaviours. The basic idea is that dogs learn through association, and by rewarding good behaviour, we can encourage them to repeat those behaviours in the future. Positive reinforcement methods can be used to teach a wide range of behaviours, from basic obedience commands to more complex tasks. In addition, focusing on rewarding good behaviour rather than punishing bad behaviour can help build a strong bond between the dog and the trainer and create a positive learning experience for the dog.
Clicker training is a form of highly effective and humane positive reinforcement training for dogs using a small handheld device called a clicker. The essence of clicker training is to teach a dog to associate the clicker's sound with a reward.
During clicker training, the trainer first conditions the dog to understand that the clicker's sound means a reward is coming. This is typically done by repeatedly clicking the clicker and immediately giving the dog a treat. Once the dog has made the association between the click and the reward, the trainer can use the clicker to mark specific behaviours that the dog performs correctly, such as sitting or lying down. Over time, the dog learns to associate the desired behaviour with the clicker's sound and the reward that follows and will be more likely to repeat that behaviour in the future.
Dominance training for dogs is a controversial training method that focuses on establishing the trainer as the "alpha" or dominant figure in the dog's life. The basic idea behind it is that dogs are pack animals and instinctively seek to establish a hierarchy within the pack, with the alpha at the top. Techniques may include alpha rolls (forcing the dog onto its back), collar jerks, leash corrections, and other physical punishments. Proponents of dominance training argue that it is necessary to establish the trainer's authority and prevent the dog from becoming dominant or aggressive. However, many animal behaviour experts and trainers believe that dominance training is outdated and can harm dogs, leading to fear, anxiety, and aggression.
Establishing a routine for our dog training sessions
Establishing a routine for training sessions can help our puppy learn faster and make training more effective. Set aside a specific time each day for training, and keep training sessions short and frequent. For example, you might spend 5-10 minutes training your dog twice a day rather than trying to do an hour-long session once a week. For the first few times, make sure to choose the same quiet, distraction-free area and use the same few commands and rewards each time you train. Start with basic commands like "sit" and "stay", and gradually work up to more advanced commands like "come" and "heel", Use positive reinforcement techniques and always end training sessions on a positive note, with plenty of praise and rewards for good behaviour.
Some additional tips for getting started with dog training include
- Start with basic obedience commands such as "sit", "stay", "come", and "heel".
- Use treats your puppy especially like (' high-value as rewards').
- Use a calm, positive tone of voice during training sessions.
- Be patient and consistent with your training. Your dog may take time to learn new behaviours, so don't get discouraged if progress is slow.
- Gradually increase the difficulty of training as your pup becomes proficient. For example, you might start by training in a quiet room, then move to a busier area with more distractions.
- Don't use physical punishment or harsh training methods, as this can harm your dog's trust and relationship with you.
- Seek the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviourist if you're having trouble with training or if your dog is displaying aggressive or destructive behaviour.
More advanced training techniques to train our doggies
As experienced dog owners, we know that training our furry companions is an ongoing process that requires patience, consistency, and creativity. While basic obedience commands such as "sit", "stay", and "come" are essential for a well-behaved dog, advanced training techniques can take your dog's abilities to the next level. Dogs can attend specialised training programmes in addition to obedience training, depending on their breed, personalities, and intended 'professional' roles. Like humans, our dogs can receive specific instruction for pursuits like agility, obedience contests, and hunting. These techniques can improve our doggy's obedience and problem-solving skills and provide mental stimulation. This article does not allow us to cover all of them extensively, and I will not cover training for professional tasks or jobs (e.g. service dogs, therapy dogs). However, we plan to dedicate a couple of articles to this subject and discuss in more detail how to use the below techniques. So, please return to our Journal for further information on the topic.
Backward chaining: This technique involves teaching the last step of an action first, then gradually adding the preceding steps until the behaviour is complete. For example, if you want your dog to retrieve an object, you might start by teaching him/her to pick it up and hold it in the mouth, then gradually add the steps to bring it to you.
Shaping: This technique involves breaking down an action into smaller steps and gradually shaping behaviour by rewarding your dog for subsequent efforts towards the final behaviour. It helps to train behaviours that can be difficult to teach otherwise. For example, if you want your dog to jump through a hoop, you might reward him for approaching the hoop, then for touching it, then put his head through it, and so on.
Tug-of-war training: Tug-of-war can be a fun and rewarding game for dogs, but it can also be a helpful training tool. You can reinforce obedience and impulse control by using the game to teach your dog to release the toy on command, sit still and listen to further instructions.
Agility training involves teaching your dog to navigate obstacles such as jumps, tunnels, and weave poles. This can be a great way to provide your dog with exercise and mental stimulation, as well as build a strong bond between you and your dog.
Competition obedience training is a specialized form of dog training that focuses on teaching dogs to perform a set of obedience exercises in a competitive setting. These exercises include heeling, recalling, retrieving, and other advanced obedience commands and can be taught by using some of the techniques described above, i.e., breaking down each exercise into small steps, rewarding your dog for success, and regularly practising in a variety of environments.
Needless to say: whilst using the above technics, apply the basics of positive reinforcement we discussed earlier.Closing Thoughts: The ongoing process of training and obedience for dogs
Training and obedience are two essential facets of dog ownership to secure the safety and well-being of our dogs and build a positive and fulfilling relationship with them. While we may assume that once our dog has been trained, we can sit back and relax, this is far from the truth. Dogs, like humans, are constantly learning and evolving and forgetting too.
There are numerous benefits to ongoing dog training and obedience reinforcement for both dogs and owners. Regular training ensures that our dogs understand and remember what is expected of them and helps to prevent unwanted behaviours, such as barking, jumping, or aggression. For owners, training reinforcement provides a sense of control and confidence, as well as the ability to enjoy a well-behaved and obedient companion. So we, as dog parents, should commit to lifelong training to ensure that our furry companions lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
And remember that all dogs are different, and what works for one may not work for another. Therefore, tailoring our training techniques to our dog's needs and personality is essential. If you're unsure how to proceed with these techniques, consider consulting with a professional trainer.
We plan to dedicate a couple of articles to this subject and discuss in more detail how to use the below techniques. So, please return to our Journal for further information on the topic.
…and meanwhile, check these five reputable organisations’ websites for valuable advice:
About dog training classes, check The Kennel Club.
Take advice about changing the old habits of your dog at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Take advice from those who have been devoted to animal welfare for more than 200 years, from the RSPCA – The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Draw on the wealth of knowledge about understanding and training your dog at The Dog Trust.
And the advice of those whose vision and mission is happiness and health for all dogs – The Blue Cross.