Training Tips
If you decide that changing your dog’s behaviour is a priority, you will be consistent and dedicated about making that change come about.
By establishing a communication system your dog will learn everything comes through you.
Until you have verbal control have physical control.
By putting sit, down or your chose behaviour under stimulus control you have alternative behaviour you can ask for instead of undesired behaviour so you do not need to use the word ‘No.’
Outlast your dog’s patience with your own and you will be the winner.
First correct efforts should be generously rewarded. Notice when your dog does good. Then mix it up using, say your boring kibble in doors and saving that tasty tuna for outdoors with distractions or as a jackpot for a great example of a behaviour.
Training treats should be small like a finger nail size.
Hot dogs or piece of ham cut up and frozen till you are ready to use them can be great. Dried liver, available here is a great way of having a less smelly high value treat.
Quit whilst you and your dog are doing well. Training sessions should be regular and short. I like to do a few mins every hour.
After say eight successful repetitions move to a variable schedule of reinforcement.
Once you’ve taught your dog a behavior don’t give up there. We must have another session to talk about fluency and maintaining the behavior.
Practice, practice, practice for the behavior we practice most is the behavior your dog will default to. Prevent your dog from practicing the unwanted behavior by management. E.g leads, fences etc.
Don’t test your dog. Help them get it right by starting your practice away from distractions such as in your home and then move to quiet outdoor space, then the park and slowly add in the main distraction only when you are successful everywhere else.
Imagine you get +1 for every successful repetition and -5 for an unsuccessful and you want to score +100 every day.
Once you get over the first hurdle of establishing a communication system you are on your way to a beautiful and harmonious relationship with your dog where the possibilities of what you can teach are endless. #Setting up a reward Mark.
If you decide that changing your dog’s behaviour is a priority, you will be consistent and dedicated about making that change come about.
“Engrams are the patterns in the brain that are formed when habits develop. You must make a new engram for your dog to follow. In the beginning the old engram will be accessed first but with persistence and patience the new engram will be accessed first and the new behaviour will take over.” Brenda Aloff
"If you decide that changing your dog’s behaviour is a priority, you will be consistent and dedicated about making those changes come about." Karen Pryor
"Work patiently, consistently & continuously and you are sure to be successful." Tom That Dog Guy
Thorndikes Key Laws
Law of Effect. Any behaviour that results in a pleasant or rewarding set of circumstances is likely to be repeated. A behaviour that is associated with pain or unpleasantness is likely not to be repeated.
*But behaviour and stimulus must happen within moments of each other for association to be made. Temporal Contiguity.
The law of exercise a response will strengthen with practice (practice effect) and weaken without.
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The Premack Principle: A less likely behaviour (e.g coming back to you) is reinforced by a more likely behaviour (e.g playing with other dogs.)
Relationship Tips:
Avoid Ironclad routines- eg dog fasting days
Be unpredictable.
Hide and Seek
Stop game before dog wants
Be Busy. Keep them guessing how to please you.
To avoid Separation Anxiety: Make sure they know you will come back. See crate Training.
Be confident. Your guilt is not a good training tool.
Pay less attention to your dog than they want.
Finish early.