Puppies tend to make life a little better! Everything they do is so darn adorable, whether they’re pouncing on their toys or cuddling up to go to take a nap. And while issues like nipping or jumping up might not seem like big deals at the moment, you need to work on stopping those behaviors long before they become life-long habits. Luckily, we have a great deal of research that has gone into training pups. As a Michigan dog trainer, I get asked a lot about different puppy training methods. Here’s what you need to know.
Pick The Puppy Training Methods That Best Fit Your New Friend
Positive Reinforcement
More and more trainers are starting to use positive reinforcement methods for puppy training. Essentially, this is reinforcing good habits with rewards like treats or games. Not only is it humane, but it’s also extremely effective. We have researched the fact that negative reinforcement can be detrimental to a dog throughout its entire life. Positive reinforcement puts your dog’s emotions at the center, helping them to have a happier experience throughout their training. Plus, it will help you establish a bond right from the beginning!
Clicker Training
Clicker puppy training can be combined with positive reinforcement methods so pups have a better understanding of when they have completed a task. With this method, you will use a device like a clicker or a whistle to give your dog a cue. The noise will signal to your pup what you expect them to do. It’s similar to the conditioning you’ve probably heard about in Pavlov’s dog experiment. That clicker is going to let your dog know when they have done what was expected so they can expect a reward. Just note this isn’t always the most effective method when it comes to stopping bad behaviors.
Modeling Puppy Training Method
Dogs are pretty smart creatures! They are always taking in the world and making sense of everything through observations. The modeling training method taps into this innate nature so a puppy can mimic what is supposed to be done. During the process, you will serve as the model and do what is expected. You will then receive a reward for that behavior so your dog will see why they should listen. This process taps into a dog’s natural sense of rivalry while also using your bond to motivate them.
Electronic Training
Electronic training tends to be a pretty popular option in modern dog training. Tools like e-collars rely on our need for instant gratification by giving your dog a quick zap whenever they don’t listen. Unfortunately, these forms of negative reinforcement can do some real damage down the line, destroying your pup’s confidence while relying on fear. Most trainers–myself included–discourage these forms of training. If you are looking for an ethical way to incorporate technology into training, you can use electronic treat dispensers to encourage good behaviors. But when it comes to e-collars, save your money!
Your Furry Friend Deserves The Puppy Training Methods That Best Suits Them
Hopefully, this helps you as you start on the rewarding journey of training your dog. If you could still use a professional in puppy training methods, then I would love to chat! Dogology University is a Michigan-based dog-training center that aims to provide both effective and convenient dog training. If you would like to learn more about how our programs can help you, send us a message today so we can connect!
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