Dog training
There are two basic types of training for a dog: reward based training and punishment based training. Reward based training will use treats and praise to reward the dog when they perform a command correctly and this is thought of as the more humane way to conduct dog training.
The old method of dog training is the punishment and dominance method. Equipment used in the punishment method includes shock collars, prong collars and throw chains that are used to throw at the dog when they misbehave. With the punishment method, dog training is learned by fear. The dog will learn while being physically forced to do something. This will trigger the flight of fight response and many dogs will put most of their energy into resisting the physical force rather than learning a new skill. This dog training method can make your dog fear and despise training.
Another dog training method in the punishment and dominance field is correcting unwanted behavior. This can have negative repercussions on the dog. For example a dog may growl when you approach him when he is eating. A punishment based dog trainer will correct that growling. This is dangerous because growling is a form of communication, the dog is telling you to stay away from his food, as he does not feel comfortable with you near it. So if you correct the growl without changing the dogs feelings, it will increase the chances of the dogs growl escalating into a bite, as he only knows he will be corrected for growling.
The reward based dog training method uses positive methods that have given great results. The reward-based method will put less stress on your dog and avoid any of the unwanted side effects associated with punishment-based methods. In the reward-based dog training food and praise are not used to bribe the dog; they are used to reward the dog. An example of positive reward based training is changing your dog’s opinion of being brushed. Positive training presents the brush and gives a treat. When the dog is happy to see a brush that they now associate with a treat, then the brushing can begin, rewarding the dog all the way. This change in the dogs emotional reaction to being brushed has been changed in a positive, stress free way.
Positive dog training methods will help your dog respect you through time spent training her in a positive way using clear boundaries, structure and communication.
It is never advised to send your dog away to be trained. You will not be part of the process and it is important that the dog obey you and not just the trainer. It is important that you continue the training after the dog comes home and if you were not there for the training you may not be familiar with the precise techniques that were used. Make the time to be there and be an essential part of your dogs training and process. Your dog wants to love you and be your friend, and when trained right, the dog will be your lifelong companion and loyal friend.