Saturday, November 26, 2011

Dog Training: Four Tips for Using Distraction

By Regina T. Roby


Dog training can be as simple or complex as you allow it to be, but the most productive approach is to break down the process into a number of uncomplicated steps. No matter if you're trying to present basic obedience training or train an advanced skill, the most important training phase is arguably the eradication and reintroduction of distractions into the procedure. As anybody can appreciate, learning is generally best accomplished with a minimum of interruption and this is similar for your dog. However, disturbances may be used to strengthen the lessons learned and ensure that your dog is clear on how he should behave. Let's contemplate 4 keys to using distraction.

Do Away with Potential Distractions to Start

Distractions can be a pleasing diversion, but for dog owners during the early stages of training their dogs, distractions can be a real disadvantage. Attracted by a world full of many sights, sounds and smells to investigate, dogs can be difficult to teach, so it's better to get rid of any temptation to wander off the task at hand. A typical example is seen when an owner attempts to teach their pet to sit in the center of an active kitchen. With the buzz of youngsters, the scents of food and the noise from a nearby TV, it's no surprise that the dog could have trouble working on the desired action. Therefore, distractions should be minimized during early education to be able to develop a strong foundation.

Pick the Appropriate Time

Even though many people believe that external distractions are the primary challenge when instructing a dog, internal distractions produce just as much difficulty. Usually, defeating internal distractions like restlessness, hunger and the need for a bathroom break ought to be among the first orders of business just before training can start. Undoubtedly, a dog that's been alone all day long or is extraordinarily hungry will be distracted and less likely to focus on the training lesson. Therefore, owners must pick the right time to train their pets. While subjective according to your surroundings and pet, training should take place when your dog is relaxed, mindful and with none of the internal distractions previously mentioned.

Include Temptations Later On

As if to include a challenge to one's training program, distractions can really be good later in the training process. As soon as your dog has a strong understanding of the required behavior and performs it quickly during managed training sessions, it's then time to progressively add back some distraction to perfect and strengthen the behavior later on. For instance, after your dog can sit on command in your own home, he should be asked to carry out that behavior around kids, outside and even at a downtown outdoor cafe. As your dog becomes familiar in a number of settings, the behavior will become much more strongly engrained.

And Don't Forget the Treats

Among the many forms of distractions, the dog training treat just about the most useful and should not be neglected. Employing this modest distraction accomplishes a couple of important actions. First, giving a reward to your dog for showing the appropriate behavior is a nice attention-getter that will focus him on the activity at hand. Second, the steady use of treats for good behavior will develop trust between you and your dog. This is often incredibly useful once you've progressed to another behavior from where the dog may require an extra incentive to get started. So, using treats as a small distraction will help you reinforce your training and the ensuing behavior of your dog.

Dog training doesn't have to be difficult and despite the perception that distractions are bad, their selective use can deliver dramatically better results than eliminating them altogether.




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