Basic Training Methods

The following article was written by Rachel Peeples, DVM

There are two basic reasons an action is learned
(a) to avoid unpleasant consequences
(b) to enhance pleasant consequences. 

An action is likely to be repeated if it brings pleasant results or if it prevents unpleasant results, and an action is likely to not be repeated if it prevents pleasant results or if it brings unpleasant results.

As an owner this gives you several focuses of training.  Some trainers prefer a punishment oriented approach.  This method involves constant application of unpleasant consequences (most often a physical reprimand such as striking or an applying of pressure to the throat) whenever the animal does not perform the action that is desired. 

Personally, I have serious doubts as to the appropriateness of this method.  Yes, it produces obedient dogs, but at what cost?  Is minding out of fear how you desire your dog to live its life?

Another method that is becoming popular is the clicker method (used by dolphin and whale trainers).  This method involves rewards every time the dogs performs an action that is desired.  No commands are given until much later and punishment is never applied.   I have never tried this method and have heard mixed reviews from those that have.   It  is preferred by most trainers for Agility trials because it promotes independent thinking.  Most obedience trial trainers find that this method does not quite live up to their needs in producing prompt and crisp responses to commands.   This method certainly takes longer to produce a dog that knows commands.  But users feel that the relationship that is built and the enjoyment of the dog far outweighs any negative aspects.  There are many wonderful websites on clicker training.

The current method I use, and most obedience trial trainers use, is a mixture of the two.   The animal is shown the action and given a command.  This is repeated several times with food or praise reward given every time.  The command is then given to see if the animal has associated the command with the action.  If it has, lots of reward (food or praise or both) is given.  If not, the animal is shown the action and the command repeated.  This is done until the animal shows a clear association between the command and the desired action.  The command is then repeated and reward given EVERY time the animal performs the action.  If it does not perform the action do NOT punish simply show the animal what is desired.  Once the animal has performed every time for ten consecutive times the desired action upon command, then the animal is considered to have learned the command.  At this stage not performing the desired action is no longer a matter of not understanding it is a matter of not obeying and, therefore, punishment is given for not performing the desired action upon command.

It is very important to distinguish between not understanding and not obeying.  The former is NEVER to be punished as the animal has no idea of how to avoid punishment, that is, it does not know what you want.  Punishing at this stage will only create fear, hostility, and mistrust in you.  Not obeying, on the other hand, may be punished and should be, in my opinion.  The animal knows what is expected but chooses to not act as it should.  In essence it is saying "I do not have to heed your orders", and this attitude is unacceptable.  Also, at this stage food reward is slowly taken away.  Instead of giving a food reward every time the animal obeys, give every second time, then every third time, then vary the intervals between giving the reward.  For example, the second time the animal obeys give it the treat, then the sixth time then the seventh time then the tenth time, etc.  This is known as varying intervals of reward and has been proven to maintain the desired action longer than if you give it at a set interval (every third time, etc.).

Behavior researchers have a lot of explanations for this, I believe this occurs because the animal keeps hoping "maybe next time I'll get a treat!"  Praise should be given often if not always for obeying.  Everyone likes to be told they are doing a good job, including dogs.

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