Effective tips in training dogs

Undertaking the task of training your new dog or puppy can be a daunting endeavor, even with smart dogs. Working dogs have become the order of the day. However it needs to be kept in mind that it has its own pros and cons. Some of the techniques and methods used to train dogs include obedience schools, clicker training dogs and specialized dog training. Most of these are aimed at training a dog to become a service dog.

Why are dogs trained?

Dogs are trained for a variety of reasons. For many people, especially those who allow their dog into their house, training is extremely important. Without proper training dogs will defecate, tear up furniture and belongings, bark excessively, fight with other dogs and animals and may even attack or bite their owners. Owners of domesticated dogs need to ensure that their dogs are trained. Owners also need to teach their dogs that certain things such as toys are chewable. At the same time they also need to make the m understand that a couch should not be chewed. Likewise barking is okay if a stranger knocks on the door, but barking through the night is not acceptable. Although the idea is easy to unde rstand, training a dog or puppy to follow the "rules" can prove extremely challenging.

In addition to house training, many owners also train their dogs to respond to certain commands and may even teach them specialized skills. Some of the commands owners teach their dogs include teaching a dog to return to the owner on command, sitting or heeling, staying, lying down, fetching, standing, speaking, no or stop and guard. Teaching a dog to follow specific commands requires consistency and can take up to a few months for mastery.

Some people train dogs to work, provide assistance for people who are disabled or even work with police in search and rescue units or drug task forces. Some dogs are trained to protect livestock or trained to track and hunt different animals. Other dogs are trained to provide a ssistance for people who are blind or trained to provide comfort and companionship for elderly people. Specialty dogs t are rained to help police locate missing persons, search crime scene s and disaster areas or even find traces of explosives or drugs.

What are the various techniques used to train dogs?

There are numerous ways in which dogs can be trained. The success rate of any method varies depending on several factors including the age of the dog, the dog's mental state (whether it was abused or neglected by a previous owner) the consistency of the owner and the breed. There is nearly unanimous consensus among dog owners that trained dogs are better. However there are debates over the best method to use when training a dog. Outlined below are a few of the most popular methods used to train dogs.

Clicker Training

A relatively new and popular of training dogs is the clicker method. Introduced in the early 1990's by Karen Pryor, clicker training gets its name from the sound used to condition the dog. When using the clicker training method the owner uses a device to make a clicking sound whenever the dog acts in the desired way. The dog is also rewarded for the pos itive behavior and quickly associates the behavior with the sound and the reward. The rewards can be anything from a snack to play or attention. Clicking can be reduced and eliminated as the dog learns and continues to perform the desired behaviors and used again if the owner wants to train the dog to perform other acts or behaviors. For instance if a dog is being trained to speak using the clicker training method the owner would issue the command "speak." As the dog is "speaking," the owner would produce the clicking sound and offer a reward. Once the dog is able to perform consistently on command, there is no need to continue clicking.

Electronic Collars

Electronic collars are also relatively new, but are highly controversial. There is a tremendous potential for abuse which can have devastating long te r m effects on the dog being trained. However if used responsibly electronic collars can prove to be very successful in molding dog behaviors. Through a series of steps dogs are slowly taught to understand that performing specific behaviors quickly can eliminate any undesired stimulation for them. For example in the beginning a dog is told a command, like sit. The command is demonstrated and the dog is shown what is expected. Later the dog is given the command and a short amount of time to complete the command. If the command is not followed the owner gives the dog a small shock and shows the dog how to sit. This procedure is repeated over time until the dog realizes that quickly following the command eliminates the shock and will continue to follow the command quickly.

Training a new dog or puppy is time consuming and difficult, although methods like clicker training dogs method can make the process easier for owners and working dogs and household pets.

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