How To Train Yourself To Train Your Dog

GENERAL RULE: In the dog-human behavior chain there  usually is a “weak link.”  Guess which one it usually is.    

The key has three parts:  1) Language Simplicity and Consistency; 2) Positive Reinforcement (Reward) and Timing; and 3) Practice.

 1.     Language – Your dog needs to understand only about ten  or so words.  The rest is all just “blah, blah, blah” with a variation of tone.   The words you need to use can never vary in the way they are spoken.  They must be spoken clearly, firmly and in a tone of command and not of threat.  Never yell them.  Ready?

• “Come”
• “Sit”
• “Stay”
• “Quiet” (associated with barking)
• “Heel”
• “Down” (lie down)
• “Settle” (pick a place and leave us alone)
• “In” (cage, house, car)
• “Off”
• “Watch” or “Watch Me”
• “Leave It” (or “Drop It”)
• “Stand” (or “Up”)

 Choose the ones you wish to use and etch them in your mind.  Remember, any variation will be “blah, blah.”

 2.     Use the words you have chosen to command the action of the dog and do not reinforce until the action is performed, ** BUT THEN REINFORCE IMMEDIATELY!  If you say “Down” and then after the dog goes down the dog gets up and you give the reward, you have just rewarded “Up.”  Note that a “positive reinforcement (reward), can be anything you know the dog will like that is healthy and positive – treats, praise (“good boy”) or even a pet on the head.  If food, make it small and non-chewable or you will risk a loss of attention.  However, during the training program – meaning until the dog does it accurately, immediately and over an extended period of time – maintain consistency in the reinforcement (reward).

         ** The action may not be exact at first.  You can shape the behavior over time by reinforcing (rewarding) behavior that is close to the desired behavior, gradually increasing more accurate behavior before giving the reward.

 3.     Practice means multiple times ever day.  Every day means “every day.”  The process will get better and then worse.  You can expect positive results for the items the dog likes faster than the ones it doesn’t or are more ingrained (like “off” or “settle” or “quiet”).  Once you are positive the dog has totally learned the behavior, you can begin to intermittently (4 out of 5, then 3 out of 4, then 2 out of 3, etc.) phase down the treats, but keep the verbal praise and dog petting forever.  Occasionally reward the dog thereafter.

SUMMARY:

 A dog’s learned behavior is a direct result of the thoughtful application of simple, direct and consistent stimulation and reward.  It takes practice and time.  Remember, dogs have been barking at us for thousands of years and we know little of which they speak.  We associate the bark at the door that the dog wants out or there is someone at the door.  They associate the words we speak with a desired reward.  They perform the task to get the reinforcement.  If you can’t devote the time then invest in a professional dog trainer.  Good luck!   

Revised 1/16/2008