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Are You Making This Mistake Training Your Dog?
Are You Making This Mistake Training Your Dog?
By Jason Mann
One of the biggest mistakes people make when training their dog is they fail to plan properly. Inadequate planning leads to a long and torturous training process for both handler and dog. People switch methods like underwear because the method they are using “doesn’t work” or the dog is ignoring them or (fill in poor excuse here).
So first, what method should you use? I suggest using positive methods above all others.
Why positive over force? Simple. Positive teaches a dog to use their mind and love the work. Force training teaches fear, hesitation, and stress.
Which method you use is entirely up to you. How do you want to create a relationship with your dog? Do you want to be seen as a strong leader (positive) that allows the dog to use their mind and make mistakes or do you want to be seen as the person to be cautious around (force)?
Watch a dog that has been trained using positive methods. Watch as they throw out behaviors to earn a reward. Offering numerous behaviors to their handlers. Now watch a force trained dog. When they are unsure of the behavior wanted they stare into space, drink water, avoid eye contact, try to escape, anything but offer the desired behavior.
Positive training requires that you have patience to allow your dog to learn through mistakes.
As a professional dog trainer who makes his living from the industry I can tell you without flinching that I prefer and use positive methods over force training methods because (A) positive dog training achieves results and (B) it’s far better to have a dog wanting to work than it is to have a dog that only works because they fear being corrected.
Anyone that tells you that force training methods using shock collars, prong collars, choke chains or any combination of those tools is “healthy” for the dog either doesn’t know anything about training or is flat out misleading you.
Again, the relationship you build with your dog starts from day one. Either you can be seen as a fair leader who understands your canine pal or you can be the “bossy” type and “rule” over your follower.
To many times people with to much ego teach and misuse these tools and training concepts.
Whatever method you choose you should also make sure you understand why you are training your dog and what you want to achieve before you make up your mind on the method.
Jason Mann is the owner of Top Dog K9 Training Solutions based in Lexington, Kentucky. For more dog training tips and information Visit Jason online at http://www.TopDogTrainingSolutions.com
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