The Three Popular Dog Training Methods

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity The Three Popular Dog Training Methods Published by Alpha Dog Training https://www.alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 So, you decided to add a dog to your family. Congratulations! And, you’ve finally gotten settled with young Fido, but now that you’ve been able to spend some quality time with him, you realize that there may be more to pet-ownership than you considered. Training a dog can be one of the most arduous tasks of pet-ownership, but it’s necessary in order to keep your family and your dog happy — and you, sane! There are a few different approaches families can take to train a pet. Every dog trainer and pet manual seems to advocate a different style for teaching your pup. Though it seems confusing at first, they all boil down to three main techniques: the traditional dominance method, the scientific method, and the positive reinforcement method. The first two are the most widely used methods, and science-based training is becoming more popular, as veterinarians continue to research and understand dogs and what makes them tick — and wag. Traditional Dominance Training The traditional method of training became popular around World War II, when the military used force to train dogs and ensure that they followed commands. Traditional trainers will use corrections such as yanking a leash when attempting to get a dog to heel or using a shock collar to assure a dog stays within limits. Similarly, popular dog trainer Cesar Millan would probably fit best in the traditional training category, as he uses dominance theory in his training methods. Dominance theory draws much of its principles from information gathered from studies done on wolf packs, and has become somewhat controversial since Millan’s show, “The Dog Whisperer." Scientific Training “There are more effective, quicker, more humane techniques, based on the appropriate control of resources, use of good communication interaction patterns and positive techniques, which are more effective and have better durability.” In the science-based method, rewards are given when the dog performs adequately and taken away for unwanted behaviors. This method involves trainers working “with the dog” instead of simply commanding the dog. With this approach, animals are taught the desired behaviors first using rewards, but also taught that the unwanted behaviors don’t work it’s clear the dog will not get it.” So the dog learns that the unwanted jumping behavior does not work, only the polite sitting behavior works. And force and coercion are not needed. The polite sitting behavior is rewarded which leads to “positive reinforcement.” Positive Reinforcement Training The final method of training is one where the dog is supposedly never reprimanded and only ever rewarded for his actions. Unwanted behaviors are simply ignored. Trainers who use clickers and only positive reinforcement without applying any negative reinforcement This method doesn’t work effectively because it can’t teach the dog that he is doing something wrong. This method fails to help dogs understand which behaviors they should avoid and worse, by ignoring unwanted behavior, it allows the dogs to actually get rewarded for these behaviors. In general, a healthy medium between positive reinforcement and clear rules is best, found in the science-based method and what is recommended by veterinarians today. There are a few concepts that do pervade all schools of thought, however. The trainer needs to have the skill and knowledge necessary to provide “guidance” for the dog. Positive feedback and strong communication between all parties involved” is the best route.

A Bit on Dog Trainers

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity A Bit About Dog Trainers Published by Alpha Dog Training https://www.alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 Your dog trainer is more than just a teacher of “sit,” “down” and “come.” Sure, dog trainers know a ton about how to motivate our canine clients, but our commitment to our students, both canine and human, is deeper than you might realize. You might think that once you walk out of the training facility or your private trainer leaves your house that we forget about you until the next time we’re scheduled to meet. Think again. Our clients’ challenges become our own, which means that you’re frequently in our thoughts during our off hours. We’ll strategize the best ways to assist you to get the job done, or stress out when setbacks happen. We want nothing more than to help you and your dog succeed, and we’ll do everything in our power to help you get there.

Many dog trainers use their own dogs as examples of their training prowess, while others (yours truly included) would rather not. Whether it’s because some trainers take on challenging cases that make the dogs unsuited for life as a demo dog, or just because they don’t feel like training yet another dog when they get home at the end of the day, not all dog trainers have impressive specimens. Sure, our dogs know the basics, but some dog trainer’s dogs still leap on guests (guilty), beg for food during meals, and sass other dogs during walks. As the saying goes, the cobbler’s children have no shoes. A big part of our job is making life better for our canine students, and sometimes that involves telling truths that pet parents don’t want to hear. If you’re crating your dog too much, we’re going to let you know. If your new rescue dog is a danger to your beloved cat, we’re going to have that difficult conversation with you. You hire us to provide solutions, and sometimes working through them can lead to uncomfortable realizations. But trust us, we have your dog’s best interests at heart.

How Old Should My Puppy Be When I Bring Him Home?

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity How Old Should My Puppy Be When I Bring Him Home? Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com/ (801) 910-1700 It’s critically important to realize that puppies need to stay with their mother and littermates through 7 weeks old, at minimum. Staying with mom and littermates during the 5-7 week period is vital. This is when puppies learn social lessons on how to control the intensity of their bite (through play with littermates), how to accept discipline and respond to it properly (through discipline from the mother), and how to correctly interpret canine body language. Pups placed in homes before going through this stage tend to play-bite harder and have exaggerated reactions to frustration. They have poor dog-to-dog communication skills. Their lack of understanding canine body language can lead to a host of problems – inability to play properly, fear, over-excitement, or even aggression toward other dogs. Another consideration is that 7 weeks is the age when most experienced breeders and animal professionals believe that puppy aptitude and temperament testing is the most reliable. If your breeder or rescue organization is doing one of these tests to help determine which puppy will be best for you, placement would be at or after 7 weeks old. That said, oftentimes pups will do better going home somewhat later than 7 weeks old, provided the breeder is equipped to train and socialize the litter. Some of the smaller breeds can take longer to mature physically, and may adjust more easily – and housetrain more readily – when they are placed at 10 or even 12 weeks of age. But I feel it’s important to say that a prospective puppy adopter needs to take extra precautions if bringing home a puppy at a later-than-usual age. While it’s always important to make sure your pup received thorough socialization, it’s absolutely critical in puppies placed past about 9 weeks old. If the pups are left to themselves, just hanging out in a pen with their littermates for those extra weeks, think twice (or more) before taking home that pup. Puppies left too long like this have a harder time forming a bond with their new families. They tend to get very competitive and play much rougher (and those habits can remain lifelong). Additionally, the shock of having to deal with the wide world can come as traumatic. Some pups never fully adjust to life in their new home. If your breeder or rescue group intends to keep their pups past 8 or 9 weeks old, do yourself a huge favor and make absolutely sure they will be actively socializing the pups individually. They must be committed to taking the time to regularly and thoughtfully introduce each pup individually to new sights, sounds, surfaces, people, animals, and places. The puppies shouldn’t be kept together night and day, but separated out with designated play periods together. Housetraining and crate training should have started. As you can imagine, this is a HUGE job, and very time-consuming. Only the most conscientious breeders and rescue groups will go to the trouble.

Tips for Socializing Your Dog

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Tips for Socializing Your Dog Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 Tips for Socializing Your Dog Have you ever seen dogs meet for the first time? A positive first meeting is no accident. Did you know there are ways owners can set their dogs up for successful social interaction? Keep reading to learn how to introduce dogs to new pets and people. Dogs have unique personalities. Some are more social than others. But dogs can also be trained to get along with other dogs, animals and people. Socializing a dog works best when you: • Start young • • Create a safe environment • • Make socializing a priority • • Watch for signs of stress or distress • • Develop opportunities to try introductions No matter what your dog's age, it's never too late to learn how to socialize your dog. Here are some ideas to try every day:

• Play games with your dog like "fetch" to teach your dog body language and sharing. • • Interact with other dogs to help your dog interact appropriately. • • Observe your dog's emotional state. (Behaviors like cowering and tail-tucking indicate he's overwhelmed.) • • Reward good behavior. Progress deserves praise your dog will recognize.

A Well Behaved Dog

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity A Well Behaved Dog Published by Alpha Dog Training https://www.alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 A well-behaved dog is a joy to live with, and proper dog training helps ensure that your pup can participate in almost everything you do together. Puppies can begin very simple training starting as soon as they come home, usually around 8 weeks old. Whether your goal is puppy socialization and or participating in dog sports, training is key to making your dog more confident and comfortable in a variety of situations. It’s also a lot of fun for both people and dogs. Dog training is also a considerable part of responsible dog ownership, but getting started in training might be confusing. The good news is Alpha Dog Training is here to help, whatever you and your dog need. Alpha Dog Training’s comprehensive good manners series can improve behavior and form the foundation your dog needs to participate in other sports that can be found at AKC clubs or Alpha Dog Training facilities. The Alpha Dog Training Helpline provides telephone consultation with our team of expert trainers who can offer instant information for immediate concerns. We off expert advice and guidance that you can use to teach your dog that you can apply on your own. https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700.

Teaching the "down" Command

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Teaching the “down” Command Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 The “down” command is often one of the first behaviors I teach a new puppy. I find that it’s one of the simplest behaviors to capture and one of the most useful household manners for a dog to know. I’m always amazed at how much trouble people go to in order to teach their dog this simple behavior. There are as many methods for teaching “down” as there are trainers to teach it. If you’re working harder than your dog is to teach him something new, you’re doing something wrong. I prefer lazy training, which is why I like the “down” command. Here’s the thing: every dog has to lie down eventually. I just wait for the dog to lie down on his own, then reward him for doing so. At some point in the training process, usually after the first 10-20 rewards, there’s a lightbulb moment. This moment is one that most trainers live for, and it never fails to give me goosebumps. Suddenly, the dog realizes that his behavior is controlling my behavior. Lying down turns me into a human Pez dispenser, making delicious treats rain down like manna from heaven. Once the dog’s figured out the game, I can quickly put his down behavior on cue so that he’ll do it when I ask. Of course, just because a dog will lie down on cue at home office doesn’t mean he’ll be able to do so in the backyard, or the pet store. We’ll need to practice the behavior in each of these locations separately, but once we’ve got the behavior on cue we’re well on our way to having a solid down in any location.

Why Does My Dog Jump on People?

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 Jumping is one of the most common dog behavior problems we address at Alpha Dog Training. A dog who jumps up on people is rarely welcome at human social functions. Not only is it considered impolite, but jumping can be scary for people who are not comfortable with dogs. There are many reasons why dogs jump up, and it’s helpful to know that this is a normal canine behavior. Dogs who are not actively taught not to jump will put their paws on people, not because they’re bad dogs, but simply because they don’t understand that there are other ways to greet people they’re meeting. For most dogs, jumping begins early in life. Tiny puppies jump up to lick and sniff at adult dogs’ faces. Jumping up on other dogs is a normal greeting ritual for puppies, and as the puppies mature they no longer need to jump to sniff noses and breath, and thus naturally stop doing this. Puppies who are well-socialized to adult dogs tend to grow out of this behavior quickly, and no longer jump on other dogs except in play by the time they’re 4-6 months old. Of course, puppies don’t just jump on other dogs. They also jump on people. Unfortunately, most people then proceed to pet, talk to, or play with the puppy, thus reinforcing the jumping. It’s always a good rule not to encourage your puppy to do anything you don’t wish him to do as an adult. Sometimes we also unintentionally reward jumping. For many dogs, negative attention is still preferable to no attention at all, and these dogs will frequently learn that jumping up is a great way to get attention. In this case, the more you yell at your dog and push him down, the more attention you’re giving him and the more likely he is to jump up. Once your dog is no longer getting rewarded for jumping or getting the chance to practice jumping, you can teach him what you’d like him to do instead. This is an important step, because dogs do best if we can tell them what to do rather than just what not to do. Many people teach their dogs to sit before greeting others, and this can be one great option. Active dogs may also do well if they’re taught to go fetch a toy or to perform some other behavior that allows them to release some of their excited energy.