Despite the diversity of methods, almost every successful dog training system is based on positive reinforcement techniques. Thankfully the once used techniques involving intimidation, humiliation and punishment have long been abandoned as ineffective.  All of the recommended methods of dog training share three simple secrets.

Start Young

How many times have you heard the old saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”? We know what it means and also that it is not entirely true. Any dog, regardless of age, can learn new things; all animals, humans included, are much more receptive to learning new behaviors when young. The earlier you are able to start training your dog, the more effective the training will be.

Puppies will learn at a much faster rate and often do not have ingrained behaviors that must be un-learned. Thus, any training regimen is sure to be more successful when conducted with a puppy rather than an older dog.

If you weren’t able to start training a particular dog when he or she was younger, don’t fret. Training is still effective for older animals. However, the earlier you start training the better.

Gently Does It

Dogs are social animals with their social circle being that of the pack they belong to.  A solitary dog in a family unit of just one will belong to a pack of two – the owner and the dog. The attachment, or bond, of the pack members is at the heart of successful dog training. A dog that trusts his or her owner wants to please his or her companion and is far more likely to remain attentive and compliant during the training process.

A failure to act gently undermines the quality of the dog/owner relationship.

Of course, aggressive behavior also runs contrary to the very foundations of most dog training techniques. Dog training is premised on the notion that positive reinforcement techniques best modify dog behavior.

Reward for good behavior comes out top 99% of the time. The reward can be edible in the form of small training treats or something as simple as a cuddle or making a fuss of the dog. Consistency however, should be maintained during the training. If you usually reward your dog when it asks to be let out to go to the toilet and you fail to reward, this can harm the dog’s association of “asking to be let out” is good because I get a reward for being good.  

Scolding by way of a raised voice can help tell your dog “it did something bad” but it should be kept to a minimum and never prolonged.

However, never reward bad behavior; a gentle dog owner should be an ally for a trainee rather than a rival. Instead of a battle of the wills, training can become a cooperative exercise. Under those conditions, training tends to take less time and be far more effective.

Emphasize Prevention

Too often, training a dog devolves into a series of constant corrections for behaviors the owner finds unsuitable. The basic goal of prevention is to step in before a problem is created instead of simply responding to the problem. Instead of waiting for the dog to make a mistake to correct, the prevention-minded owner will keep close watch to see imminent difficulties and will intervene early to prevent them from arising in the first place.

By spending less time on correction you can emphasize positively reinforced training methods, keeping a program on track and accelerating its successes. It also decreases frustration throughout the training process making it more enjoyable for both the dog and the owner.

Although there is a multitude of training strategies form which one can choose, all of them can have their effectiveness increased by adhering to the aforementioned principles. By starting early, remaining gentle and emphasizing prevention, any reasonable method of dog training can yield better results.

1. Inconsistency.
2. Impatience.
3. Treating the dog as a subject instead of a training partner.

Inconsistency

Dogs thrive on predictability. In fact, their ability to grasp cause and effect is at the very root of training. Training, or conditioning, is based upon the dog associating one event with a consistent outcome. In simple terms a reward for a positive outcome.

A dog is likely to best respond to a system in which regular actions produce regular results. Too often, dog owners fail to be entirely consistent. In the dog's mind, these lapses in regularity convey a sense of randomness to the process and make it difficult for the pet to associate his or her specific behavior with specific results-the key to training. Dogs will excel when they are taught that things happen for specific reasons. When surprises occur it undermines the whole of the training process.

A successful trainer will retain consistency in their methods and will not deviate from an established course.

Impatience

There can be a great deal of frustration in dog training. Concepts we believe dogs should be able to grasp easily often escape them completely for quite some time.

We live in a world that is so often focused on immediate results. We learn to expect that our actions will be met by prompt, anticipated responses. Dog training runs counter to this societal trend toward speedy, immediate gratification. Training is an extended process that can require a great deal of patience from the trainer.

Impatience results in unpredictability on the part of the owner as they hastily cease a training session or abandon positive reinforcement techniques in hopes of finding a shortcut to desired results. Patience is, indeed, a virtue when one considers the role of the owner in a dog training situation.

A successful trainer will master developing a patient outlook throughout the extended process of dog training.

Treating The Dog As A Subject Instead Of A Partner

Dog training requires two participants: the dog and the owner. Frequently, however, owners tend to perceive the process as being uniquely about them. They fret over their techniques, equipment and strategies without giving real consideration to their training partner, the dog.

When an owner approaches the dog as a simple subject for experimentation, they lose track of what makes the dog unique and this devalues the always-important dog/owner relationship. Training becomes a chore, rather than a joint activity. What might have been a pleasurable chance for interaction for both the owner and the dog becomes an un-enjoyable task.

Dogs are sufficiently intuitive to be attuned to a trainer's attitude and are less receptive to learning when they are treated merely as a subject instead of as a complete being. Owners who fail to see their pet's identity during training are unable to pick up on subtle clues and possible means to improve their techniques.

The successful trainer will treat his dog as a full partner in training, not merely as a subject.

By avoiding these three common pitfalls, a dog owner is more likely to be able to implement a training strategy that produces results. Additionally, the training experience is likely to be enjoyable for both the dog and owner, giving them a tremendous opportunity to build a bond between them.

Regardless of the exact methodology adopted by the owner, the training process will benefit extraordinarily from avoiding the mistakes of inconsistency, impatience and treating your pet as a subject instead of as a partner.