 |
 |
 |
 |
Training
Methods
Methods
THE PROFOUND HOUND
TRAINING * BEHAVIOR * EXERCISE
THEPROFOUNDHOUND@COX.NET 402-253-6540
Profound Hound Training Methods
For Sarah's first dog as adult, she picked a challenging breed – “stubborn, aloof, independent” are
all typical phrases to describe Rhodesian Ridgebacks & her Dempsey. The traditional, "jerk and
tug", beginning obedience classes with Dempsey felt like a one hour argument and battle of the
wills with her furry friend. It was horrible and NOT effective! There simply just had to be a
better way – wasn’t there??
And there ARE better ways!
Sarah began to seek out classes, books and seminars focusing on POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
training methods. The creative, positive, consistent and fair approaches with positive
reinforcement methods suddenly opened a door! Training became a joy – a real partnership with
Dempsey. AND Dempsey was learning so much faster this way! A true partnership was formed.....
and ALL training from then on went SO much faster.
all typical phrases to describe Rhodesian Ridgebacks & her Dempsey. The traditional, "jerk and
tug", beginning obedience classes with Dempsey felt like a one hour argument and battle of the
wills with her furry friend. It was horrible and NOT effective! There simply just had to be a
better way – wasn’t there??
And there ARE better ways!
Sarah began to seek out classes, books and seminars focusing on POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
training methods. The creative, positive, consistent and fair approaches with positive
reinforcement methods suddenly opened a door! Training became a joy – a real partnership with
Dempsey. AND Dempsey was learning so much faster this way! A true partnership was formed.....
and ALL training from then on went SO much faster.
Vocabulary first:
Positive Reinforcement = a stimulus that, presented following a dog's desired behavior will make
that behavior more likely to occur in the future. (from "How Dogs Learn" by Mary R. Burch, Ph.D.
& Jon S. Bailey, Ph.D.)
Q: Doesn't "positive reinforcement" mean you never "punish" or yell at a dog?
A: NO!
"Punishment" (i.e. consequences for behavior that will decrease the probability of that behavior happening
again) *IS* used in conjunction with positive reinforcement. The big difference is that "punishment" in our
contexts of training is that it doesn't involve physical punishment, pain or intimidation. Not allowing a dog their
favorite person, toy or treat after a bad behavior IS a "punishment" and consequence for bad behavior. In your
dog's perspective those are often the WORST kinds of "punishment" you can give them.
It's VERY effective, especially when implemented with correct timing on the part of the owner.
Q: Isn't positive reinforcement is a bunch of "baby talking" to your dog?
A: NO!
"Reinforcement" can be a variety of different things that a dog naturally finds appealing on it's own or something
you've trained your dog to find completely appealing. Most dogs independently find select toys and/or treats to
be their absolute favorites. It's YOUR responsibility as their owner to notice what those favorite things are! And
*YOU*, as their owner & keeper of all food, toys & treats in their life, may find that when *YOU* have fun with
training that YOUR voice gets higher pitched, louder ..... and your dog reacts more quickly & enthusiastically in
response to YOUR joy.
And that's the joy of training --- YOU have fun; your dog will have fun & WILL learn!
So bottom line is: you don't have to use 'baby talk' unless you really want to :)
Q: Positive reinforcement means you always have to use treats or have treats in your pockets.
A: NO!
Frequent treats (or other reinforcers) are used VERY frequently when a dog is learning a behavior. If trained
appropriately in the context of "shaping" behavior, an owner will soon be giving treats mixed with praise or
games with a toy AND only giving those reinforcers sporadically.
Dog training is keeping the right balance! Dogs are very similar to people in that respect; you make it too easy
OR contrarily too hard, they'll stop trying.
The whole goal is to have a dog that *THINKS* and attempts to make the right choices, NOT
because you've held them back on a leash or because you have dog treats in front of their nose.
Other questions? PLEASE feel free to contact us!
Positive Reinforcement = a stimulus that, presented following a dog's desired behavior will make
that behavior more likely to occur in the future. (from "How Dogs Learn" by Mary R. Burch, Ph.D.
& Jon S. Bailey, Ph.D.)
Q: Doesn't "positive reinforcement" mean you never "punish" or yell at a dog?
A: NO!
"Punishment" (i.e. consequences for behavior that will decrease the probability of that behavior happening
again) *IS* used in conjunction with positive reinforcement. The big difference is that "punishment" in our
contexts of training is that it doesn't involve physical punishment, pain or intimidation. Not allowing a dog their
favorite person, toy or treat after a bad behavior IS a "punishment" and consequence for bad behavior. In your
dog's perspective those are often the WORST kinds of "punishment" you can give them.
It's VERY effective, especially when implemented with correct timing on the part of the owner.
Q: Isn't positive reinforcement is a bunch of "baby talking" to your dog?
A: NO!
"Reinforcement" can be a variety of different things that a dog naturally finds appealing on it's own or something
you've trained your dog to find completely appealing. Most dogs independently find select toys and/or treats to
be their absolute favorites. It's YOUR responsibility as their owner to notice what those favorite things are! And
*YOU*, as their owner & keeper of all food, toys & treats in their life, may find that when *YOU* have fun with
training that YOUR voice gets higher pitched, louder ..... and your dog reacts more quickly & enthusiastically in
response to YOUR joy.
And that's the joy of training --- YOU have fun; your dog will have fun & WILL learn!
So bottom line is: you don't have to use 'baby talk' unless you really want to :)
Q: Positive reinforcement means you always have to use treats or have treats in your pockets.
A: NO!
Frequent treats (or other reinforcers) are used VERY frequently when a dog is learning a behavior. If trained
appropriately in the context of "shaping" behavior, an owner will soon be giving treats mixed with praise or
games with a toy AND only giving those reinforcers sporadically.
Dog training is keeping the right balance! Dogs are very similar to people in that respect; you make it too easy
OR contrarily too hard, they'll stop trying.
The whole goal is to have a dog that *THINKS* and attempts to make the right choices, NOT
because you've held them back on a leash or because you have dog treats in front of their nose.
Other questions? PLEASE feel free to contact us!
Positive Reinforcement Q & A:
| No "whispering" here! Only clear, concise, effective communication that does NOT involve physical force. |