A Training Overview
Before teaching your dog tricks, you must first master the basics. The OPTIMUM brand endorses a positive-reinforcement based training method. Positive reward training conditions an animal to associate good behaviour with a reward. Scroll down to download useful training guides to assist you in teaching your dog to sit, stay and come.
Initially rewards are of high value, for example small tasty morsels
such as roast chicken or chopped up sausages. Most dogs consider a food
reward very appealing and they are also very receptive to a touch
reward - a pat, praise or cuddle (preferably all at once). High praise
and encouragement early on in your training regime will give your pet
the confidence he or she needs to continue learning. It will also
allow you and your pet to form a very special bond with one another.
The basic rule when using a positive reward based training method is to
reward good or desirable behaviour and ignore bad or undesirable
behaviour. Most animals instigate bad behaviour when attention
seeking, however, if you ignore them, they will soon realise it doesn’t
work and will get bored. Once the bad behaviour has ceased, it is
important to reward your pet then, as they make the association of
calm, with reward.
Animals are emotional creatures: a dog that
has been disciplined in a negative manner may regress due to lack of
confidence. Your pet will be much more receptive to your commands if
you use an assuring and appealing tone of voice.
Training is most effective if carried out in a quiet, familiar area with minimal distractions. Training sessions should be short and frequent to maintain concentration. Remember patience and persistence are vital for successful training.
| EXAMPLES OF BAD BEHAVIOUR |
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EXAMPLES OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR |
- Ignoring your command
- Jumping up on you or your visitors
- Inappropriate elimination or
toileting in the house
- Pulling on the lead when walking
- Not coming when you call
- Running around inside the house
- Barking that hasn’t been asked for |
|
- Obeying a command
- Sitting quietly when visitors
come over
- Toileting in an appropriate area
- Walking nicely on a lead
- Coming to you when called
- Lying on his or her mat
- Sitting quietly in the car |
Why not try your hand at training your dog with these simple and easy to follow training guides.
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A‘bridge’ is a word or sound that positively pinpoints a desired
behaviour. A ‘bridge’ may be a word such as ’yes’. A bridge is a
marker of good behaviour with promise of a ’yes’ and rewarding the dog
with a treat. This should be repeated several times and your pet will
quickly make the connection with the bridge and a reward.
A bridging word is also very useful for rewarding good behaviour if your
pet is some distance from you. If your pet displays good behaviour
such as toileting in a spot that is desirable to you, but is 50 metres
away, you can still praise him/her with the bridge word ’yes’. Upon
his/her return, your dog will be expecting to collect the reward – a
food or praise reward. Initially a high value food reward will work
best to motivate your dog, however this can be alternated with a touch
or toy reward once the dog has grasped the ‘bridge and reward’ process.
Clicker training is all about using a method called ’bridge and reward’,
however you may use the clicker to mark the correct behaviour instead
of the bridging word. Pets will become easily accustomed to the
clicker sound in place of the verbal bridge and can be conditioned to
the clicker in the same way.
Position yourself in front of
your pet and press on the clicker and condition with a reward. You
will need to repeat this several times, but your pet will quickly link
the clicker sounds with a positive reward. You may choose to integrate
this into your training regime in combination or in place with a verbal
bridging word. Clickers are not expensive and can be purchased from pet
various pet outlets.
Training your pet requires understanding and trust. Ensuring you understand
your pet based on the body language they are displaying will strengthen
your relationship with them. All dogs should be approached with
respect, especially dogs who you are not familiar with. Never approach
a dog over their head, as this is interpreted as a threatening gesture.
Avoid sudden movements or elevated open -handed advances, as this may
be read as aggressive. The most effective manner in which to initiate
contact with a dog unknown to you, is to speak to him/her calmly, offer
a loosely closed hand for the dog to sniff and if this is well received
and the dog licks you and displaying a neutral expression, proceed to
slowly and gently pat the dog on the chest. Watch the dog closely and
if there is any uncertainty pull back and allow the dog to come to you.
