What every new puppy owner needs to know:
Although dogs exhibit various individual characteristics, the following are constants in all dogs:
Drives that are not inherently present, cannot be created.
Drives that are inherently present, can be further developed through training.
Strongly pronounced or undesirable drives cannot be extinguished, but only reduced by training.
The temperament of a dog (i.e.: his individual responses to stress) cannot be changed but only influenced by training.: “The dog is, who he is”
A dog does not understand and is unable to process human speech & reasoning, consequently his training is only successful when:
He is not “humanized”.
The particular essence of his animal character is remembered.
He is taught to understand certain behaviour is required in certain situations.
When he is made to understand how to behave in certain situations by way of positive reinforcement when correct, & negative reinforcement when incorrect.
Drives that we will utilize:
(definitions for training purposes, not from academic ethology)
Food Drive: the dogs desire to persist in getting food – not always hunger related.
Play Drive: the dogs obsession with objects & his desire to entertain himself actively.
Prey Drive: the dogs intensity in chasing anything moving away – catching, biting & carrying it.
Fight Drive: the dogs desire to initiate & persist in confrontation, both physical and mental.
Pack Drive: desire to work with the handler & be part of the ream.
Training in drive has 2 requirements:
The dog musthave the drive to do the work.
You must understand how to activate the drive.
We only have the right to work those dogs which have some natural inclination for the training.
We do not have the right to train a dog beyond his capabilities
The dog has a right to enjoy the work.
We should not continue training when the dog has no joy in the work. With some dogs it is only right to stop at basic obedience.
What is motivation?
Motivation:
Motivation is attracting the “dog” with what makes him want to work.
Motivation steers him into the correct position & he learns that correct behaviour gets himwhathewants.
Create correct habits from the start!!!
First comes constant positive reinforcement, then constant reward.
What is the difference between positive reinforcement & reward???
Reinforcement comes while the dog is actually performing a certain behaviour.
Reward comes after the dog has performed the action correctly...
So...steering a puppy into a sit position by holding food over his head and litting him nibble at it while he sits is... Positive reinforcement!!
Giving him the ball and releasing him after he sits is ...Reward!!
The same difference is true for negative reinforcement & punishment:
Using a leash & collar to force the dog into a sit is ... Negative reinforcement
A correction on the collar because he fails to sit on command is ... Punishment
Neither negative reinforcement nor punishment has any place in motivational foundation.
REMEMBER: you need to be sure the dog understands what is expected of him before you can contemplate “punishing” him for disobedience!!!
Training Sessions:
Sessions must be short
Training must end while the dog still wants more! This means he comes to the next session a little more eager
Avoid the “Just One More Time” syndrome!!!
Don’t be afraid to go back a step if things are ot proceeding as they should
Remember a dog will often Do the right thing, before he actually Understands it!!!
Real learning only comes with repetitions
Tone of Voice:
Commands are given in a light soft voice, with a pleasant tone – No need to shout, the dog has excellent hearing!!!
Tone of voice is more important than what you say. Make sure you use the same commands / tone consistently
Body Language:
As important as Attitude or Tone of Voice
Natural communication for dogs is body language. Commands are often secondary to body cues
Dogs learn faster via the visual (i.e.: body language) than by verbal
Opposition Reflex:
An essential element of a dogs make-up is his “opposition reflex”
When you pull or hold the dog, he automatically leans against the pressure
We activate this reflex in protection work, when we hold the dog back... This creates tension going forward
A young puppy on the lead for the first time... His reaction is always to pull against the pressure
Understanding Opposition Reflex:
People have trouble understanding this concept because we do not possess the same physical capability as our dogs
If a human pulls hard on something – and it gives way – he falls backward
This will not happen with an adult dog. His muscle control takes over to prevent him from falling back!!!
Remember this reflex in training. You can use it to your advantage
Praise & Release:
Praise is verbal
Praise comes with positive reinforcement or reward
Praise indicates that reward is imminent. Then, with the correct conditioning the dog will be more attentive
Each exercise must have a clear beginning & end
The dog understands best if training is Black & White – with no grey areas
Evaluating the dog:
Drives can be built – if they are present, but you need to recognize where you are starting from
Consider the dogs physical abilities & limitations, be aware of inherent body sensitivity, nerve capacity, as well as past experiences & training
How trainers evaluate the handler:
Always to consider what the handler brings to the session(e.g. experience, his temperament, his motivation levels, understanding & patience)
The handler cannot be lazy... They must put time in to get a result...This is a hobby... They must come to each session ready to play the game
To keep negative emotions out of training. Dogs are sensitive to the mood of the handler
To insist that handlers stay calm – no matter what happens!
Make sure they enjoy the training time with their dog – Remember we are supposed to be having FUN!!
Maren von der Heyde
Zwinger von der Weidenstrasse
April 2015