What Is Positive Dog Training?

Positive training uses motivation and rewards to help dogs form good habits and have fun while learning new skills. The primary components of positive training are to:

1. Understand how dogs learn. Dogs learn through association and repetition, not by grasping concepts. You can't explain "sit" to a dog, but you can show her how to do it, use a word to help her connect the action and the word, and reward her for doing the right thing so she'll be motivated to do it again.

2. Instruct using dogs' natural tendencies and gentle guidance rather than force. We humans sometimes forget that we must first teach a dog what we want him to do before he can begin to develop a conditioned response. We teach a dog what to do by inducing behavior using food and toy lures and gentle body positioning.

3. Help your dog form associations between words and actions. Being consistent and using good timing helps your dog link words with actions.

4. Reward your dog. We all expect to be paid for our work (even volunteer work has rewards); why should we expect our dogs to work for free? High-quality treats are great for getting good results in the early stages of training. We recommend using only all-natural, soft treats, not "junk food" treats that contain artificial flavorings, filler, preservatives, and artificial colors to make them look like meat. Praise, affection, toys, and favorite games are equally important rewards. Our classes will give you a vocabulary of ways to show your dog how pleased you are! We'll also tell you how to fade food rewards once your dog begins to learn good behaviors.

5. Set your dog up to succeed. Make it easy for your dog to do what you want her to do. End every session with a task she does well, and give multiple-treat "jackpots" for things she finds difficult. Every time your dog does something correctly, the experience is imprinting on her brain, and she is forming a conditioned response. Help her succeed and you'll see results that much more quickly.

6. Bring excitement and enthusiasm to your training. If you're happy and having fun, your dog will have fun too. Accentuate the positive rather than the negative. If you begin to feel frustrated or impatient; simply end the session and try again later.

7. Be kind and patient. Your dog needs hundreds of repetitions to form a solid behavior pattern. Yelling, hitting, pinching, poking, rough handling, and using aversives such as choke chains, prong collars, and electric shock may get results from some dogs, just as beating some children might result in a good report card. But damage will be done to the individuals and to the relationship. Just like humans, dogs respond to abuse and bullying by becoming anxious, depressed, resentful, or aggressive. Remember, this is your best friend! Your relationship should be based on trust and cooperation, not intimidation. Also remember that it takes time for you and your dog to learn how to communicate together.

8. Realize that POSITIVE DOES NOT MEAN PERMISSIVE. Just like a human child, your dog needs boundaries, structure, and kind leadership. There should be no question that you have higher status than your dog, but there's no need for bullying, threatening, and abuse. Instead, we'll teach you how to control your dog's resources in a kind but non-negotiable way, so your dog will feel secure knowing that you are in charge...without fear and without pain.

9. Recognize that all dogs are individuals and tailor your training to your dog's personality. Positive training helps you work with your dog's natural instincts and gives you a variety of tools and techniques. Working with a qualified, involved trainer will help you find out what works best with your dog.

Your dog looks to you for food, shelter, protection, love, and guidance. Don't let him down. Your dog wants to know that you're in charge, but he wants a kind and loving leader. Think of yourself not as a "master," but as a teacher and the provider of all the good things in your dog's life. Don't dominate your dog--give him a sense of security. You'll develop a wonderful bond that will enrich both your life and your dog's.

The Culture Clash: A Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs by Jean Donaldson (James & Kenneth Publishers, 1997)

For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend by Patricia McConnell, PhD (Ballantine Books, 2007)

How To Teach A New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar, BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS, PhD, CPDT (James & Kenneth Publishers, 1996)

Living with Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind by Colleen Pelar, CPDT (C&R Publishing, 2005)

The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, PhD (Ballantine Books, 2002)

Parenting Your Dog by Trish King, CPDT, CDBC (TFH Publications, 2004)

Positive Puppy Training Works by Joel Walton, CPDT (David & James Publishers, 2002)

The Power of Positive Training by Jean Donaldson and Pat Miller, CPDT (Howell House Books, 2001)

Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin (Vintage, 1996/2006)

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