Why is using positive rewards so helpful when training your dog?
Training should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog, the more you understand how your dog learns and processes information the more effectively you can communicate with them. Clear communication through the use of motivation for a reward will result in successful training and help to build the bond with your K9 companion.
Behavior that is rewarded is more likely to reoccur.
Our dogs make choices that work in their favor, in other words they will do what works best for them. If we provide our dog with a rewarding response to an action consistently, they will quickly learn that it is that behavior that resulted in some form of satisfaction. To simply put it, if every time my dog sits I give them a treat my dog is most likely to offer that behavior again whenever food or treats are present. Same goes for common unwanted behaviors such as jumping up, if your dog gets attention each time he jumps on you he will continue this action, as your attention is the reward.
Dogs learn through classical conditioning (by association).
It is important that when we are applying positive reinforcement in the training with our dogs that we are using proper timing to help the dog associate the desired behavior with the reward. We want our dogs to learn that one thing predicts the other. This will help with effective communication so that our dogs know exactly what we are reinforcing. The more clear we are with rewarding good behavior the quicker we can eliminate unwanted behaviors with better alternative behaviors.
Rewarding behaviors you want, rather than punishing behaviors you do not want.
When training your canine companion, especially in the beginning stages, it is more productive to frequently reward good behavior rather than waiting to correct unwanted to behaviors. Correcting your dog causes stress levels in your pet and can tarnish your relationship. First we must begin to realize that our dogs are animals and by nature will behave in certain ways that we may not always be comfortable with but before we apply punishment in the training we can be more successful by consistently rewarding the behavior we do want and teaching alternative behaviors.
Training should be fun!
Above all, training should be a bonding experience for you and your pet, finding ways to make learning and working with you enjoyable for your pet will relieve stress and anxiety surrounding the training sessions. Keep your sessions short and sweet and remember to have a good time!
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