![]() ![]() I have only ever used positive reinforcement methods to successfully train dogs, cats, birds, rodents, cows, horses, alpacas and many other animals. Two ways that dogs learn are by the immediate consequences of their actions (“operant conditioning”) and by associations (“classical conditioning”). Our understanding of how dogs learn ( Mary Burch & John Bailey ) has come on leaps and bounds over the last 10 years and informed us of a much better way of training and changing canine behaviours. This used to be the way dog training was taught ( by people like Cesar Milan and Barbara Woodhouse), but is no longer advocated by modern dog trainers. Pulling or forcing a dog into position, swatting them on the nose, and negative speech aren’t the way forward. This isn’t necessary as you run a bigger risk of mentally scarring or physically hurting the dog. Some dog owners prefer to use a negative form of correction to force their animal into the desired behaviour. This is where the method differs from negative reinforcement which focuses on Or, you might get on well with clicker training. But, you need to be careful not to offer too much too often, especially with breeds prone to over-eating. Food based rewards are common as they give your pet a tasty treat. These rewards can vary depending on the personality of the dog. Rewards give the dog additional incentives to act in the way that you desire. They thrive on this sort of positive interaction which may be because of that innate desire to please their owners, a concept that science has not yet been able to prove one way or the other. Praising your dog is vital for them to understand that they have done a good job. There are two fundamental factors in positive reinforcement Actijoy™ blogs are not designed to treat, diagnose, or prescribe medication for your pet.How to use positive reinforcement to train your dog In the case of emergency, always seek qualified healthcare from a local veterinarian or emergency facility. The Actijoy™ blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please note: all dogs should be treated as individuals. Be consistent, always reinforce with rewards, and keep your hand signal training simple!ĭo you want to know more about Training your dog ? Subscribe to our newsletter to have the rest of this series delivered to your inbox! Whatever your hand signal may be, remember your dog forms associations based on your training. Putting your hand out, palm forward is a fantastic and popular visual cue to indicate ‘freeze’, stop or off. The simple hand signal can be combined with praise or treats to let your dog know he did a good job!Īnother great visual command to indicate ‘lie down’ or ‘off the furniture’, this one is self-explanatory for most people, and a simple idea. This is a great hand signal to use with things like ‘kennel’, or to indicate direction! Step Three: Dog forms association between action and hand signal verbal command no longer neededĬommonly seen coupled with the ‘sit’ command, this is a very simple and straightforward hand signal for your dog to pick up on! To begin this signal, move your hand toward the floor face down as you say ‘sit’. ![]() Step Two: Incorporate hand signal in addition to verbal command Step One: Form association between verbal command and action Be consistent with your training, always using the same hand signal in the same way.Immediately reinforce correct behaviors/associations with a treat and praise.Eventually, your dog will learn that that signal means ‘sit’, and your vocal command won’t be needed anymore. Using the exact same visual signal in the exact same way every time, simply add your visual signal every time you issue the command ‘sit’. Now you want to create an association between a set, particular hand signal, and sit. Sit: ExampleĪssume your dog already understands the verbal association between your command (Sit) and the action of sitting. The easiest way to start is by beginning with the verbal commands, and combining them with a certain hand signal once the dog understands the meaning of your verbal command, and what he’s being asked to do. When teaching your dog hand signals, the objective is getting your dog to form associations between a specific hand signal, the command word for a behavior/action, and performing that action. With hand signal training, a dog trainer uses set hand signals to signify meanings, as opposed to verbal commands. Using their tails, ear position, body stature, eye contact, and even fur, dogs can communicate their exact feelings immediately at any given time! They’re very good at reading these visual signals and body language cues from other animals. A dog’s main form of communication revolves around visual body language cues, as opposed to vocal human speech.
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