Massachusetts Dog Training with positive reinforcement takes advantage of the fact that animals naturally learn to repeat actions which lead to desirable outcomes. It works by rewarding dogs with praise and food treats whenever they respond appropriately to a command. By following a few simple guidelines, you can use positive reinforcement to effectively shape your dog's behavior.
Use doggy taste tests to discover the best food rewards. Offer your pet different types of meaty morsels. If she immediately gulps down a treat and then goes after the bag, it's probably a food that will work to motivate her. If she hesitates before eating it, offer her something else. Dogs like variety, so try to find two or three treats that will work as rewards.
Keep command cues short and simple. Most dogs have trouble understanding whole sentences. Use one or two syllable commands that relate to a specific type of behavior. For example, the word 'off' could be used to command your pet to get off the sofa, chair or bed. Some of the most popular commands are stay, sit, stand, heel, come and down.
When teaching your dog a new action, physically guide him into the desired position. For example. Gently push down on his hindquarters while voicing the command 'sit'. Be affectionate and do not apply too much force. Start out by rewarding any attempts at the correct behavior, even when it isn't done perfectly.
Always reward a correct action immediately. If you are teaching your dog to lie down, praise him and give him a treat while he is still in the lying position. If you wait until he gets up, he may become confused about the meaning of the word 'down'. When teaching a command like 'come', reward your pet with verbal praise when he begins to come toward you and offer a treat as soon as he reaches you.
Keep reward treats handy whenever you interact with your pet. Opportunities to practice using commands frequently come up in both indoor and outdoor situations. Be prepared to positively reinforce every correct response, especially in the early stages of learning.
Refrain from scolding or shouting during dog training sessions. It's counterproductive and may cause your pet associate a command with negative consequences. A dog who fails to cooperate may be having a bad day, or may be distracted by noises or odors that humans can't sense. If your pet doesn't respond appropriately, simply withhold the reward and try again later. Your patience will pay off in the long run.
Use doggy taste tests to discover the best food rewards. Offer your pet different types of meaty morsels. If she immediately gulps down a treat and then goes after the bag, it's probably a food that will work to motivate her. If she hesitates before eating it, offer her something else. Dogs like variety, so try to find two or three treats that will work as rewards.
Keep command cues short and simple. Most dogs have trouble understanding whole sentences. Use one or two syllable commands that relate to a specific type of behavior. For example, the word 'off' could be used to command your pet to get off the sofa, chair or bed. Some of the most popular commands are stay, sit, stand, heel, come and down.
When teaching your dog a new action, physically guide him into the desired position. For example. Gently push down on his hindquarters while voicing the command 'sit'. Be affectionate and do not apply too much force. Start out by rewarding any attempts at the correct behavior, even when it isn't done perfectly.
Always reward a correct action immediately. If you are teaching your dog to lie down, praise him and give him a treat while he is still in the lying position. If you wait until he gets up, he may become confused about the meaning of the word 'down'. When teaching a command like 'come', reward your pet with verbal praise when he begins to come toward you and offer a treat as soon as he reaches you.
Keep reward treats handy whenever you interact with your pet. Opportunities to practice using commands frequently come up in both indoor and outdoor situations. Be prepared to positively reinforce every correct response, especially in the early stages of learning.
Refrain from scolding or shouting during dog training sessions. It's counterproductive and may cause your pet associate a command with negative consequences. A dog who fails to cooperate may be having a bad day, or may be distracted by noises or odors that humans can't sense. If your pet doesn't respond appropriately, simply withhold the reward and try again later. Your patience will pay off in the long run.
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