Sawyer

Leash Training

Leash training involves teaching a dog to walk on a leash without pulling or jerking. The methods for teaching this fall into three major categories. The first type of method involves using positive reinforcement (such as food treats), which is given to dogs only when they maintain a loose leash. The second option is also a positive reinforcement method, and involves the owner standing still whenever the dog pulls, and refusing to proceed with the walk until the dog loosens the leash. The dog therefore learns that the only way to proceed with the walk is to maintain a loose leash. The third method, first advocated by Koehler, relies on the owner simply turning and walking the other way when the dog moves in front of the handler, so that the dog receives an uncomfortable "pop" on the neck for not watching where the handler is going. This last method is generally quicker than the other two methods, but may be unsuitable for dogs with soft or nervous temperaments. As with all forms of dog training, different methods may be suitable for dogs of different breeds and with different temperaments.

Today, many trainers advocate using a plain collar and leash for leash training rather than specialized training collars, since a dog cannot be considered properly "leash trained" if the owner must constantly rely on a special collar.

However, if a specialised training collar must be used, there are several options. Correction collars include slip collars and prong collars. These collars are designed to cause discomfort when the dog pulls on the leash, encouraging him to walk with a loose leash. This type of collar can potentially inflict damage to a dog's neck when used improperly, so should not be used unless supervised by a knowledgeable trainer or behaviourist. Historically, slip collars have been used as a matter of course, and some trainers still recommend them for basic training on any dog; such collars should be used in a way that makes a quick popping or zipping sound to startle the dog and are then quickly released, not to choke the dog or to injure his neck.

Another popular option is using a nose halter instead of a collar; these are sold under brand names such as Gentle Leader and Halti. Even these must be used carefully, without harsh jerking, as a sudden jerk can twist a dog's head to the side and may injure his neck. Like correction collars, these devices are controversial. Many dogs do not enjoy wearing head halters, and many trainers feel that these devices pose too great a risk of injury to the dog's neck if he suddenly lunges at the leash.

Obedience

Working dogs have always learned to obey commands related to the work that they historically performed, such as when a sheepdog moves a flock of animals in response to a shepherd's whistled directions, or a hunting dog searching for (or chasing down) quarry or leaving the treed quarry at the hunter's command.

It has been only in more modern times, as the dog has become more of a companion than a hired servant (paid in food and a dry place to lie down) who lived in the barn with other livestock, that obedience training has become a separate and specific skill (for both the owner and the dog).

In the twentieth century, formalized dog training originated in military and police applications, and many theories on how to train a dog came out of the same mentality that created boot camp for soldiers.

In the middle and late part of the century, however, more research into operant conditioning and positive reinforcement occurred as wild animal shows became more popular-- Traditional methods of teaching animals behavior (as with dogs) proved irrelevant when, for example, a trainer had to instruct a dolphin or an orca. These aquatic mammal trainers used clickers (a small box that makes a loud click when pushed on) to "mark" desired behavior, giving food as a reward. The improvements in training methods spread gradually into the world of dog training. Today most dog trainers rely heavily on positive reinforcement to teach new behaviours, although some will use punishment when teaching the dog to perform under distraction. Every decade sees new methods and new attitudes reach mainstream training classes.

Dog Intelligence and Training

Certain breeds, such as Border Collies and Golden Retrievers, are easier to train than others, such as some hounds and sled dogs. Dogs that have been bred to perform one task to the exclusion of all others (such as bloodhounds and huskys), or who have been bred to work independently from their hander (such as terriers), may be particularly challenging to obedience train.

Dog intelligence is exhibited in many different ways, and a dog who might not be easy to train might none-the-less be quite adept at figuring out how to open kitchen cabinets or to escape from the yard. Novice dog owners need to consider a dog's trainability as well as its energy level, exercise requirements, and other factors before choosing a new pet. Very high intelligence is not necessarily a good thing in a companion dog, as smart dogs can require extensive daily mental stimulation if they are not to become bored and destructive.

No breed is impossible to obedience train, but novice owners might find that training some breeds is quite difficult. The capacity to learn basic obedience—and even complicated behavior—is inherent in all dogs. Owners must simply be more patient, or creative, or both, with some breeds than with others.


Puppy & Dog Training Secrets