How Dogs Learn
Positive reinforcement training will increase the probability of a desired behaviour being repeated. Simply put, behaviours that are rewarded are repeated. While rewarding behaviours, everything and everyone present during training will become associated with that reward.
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Train through positive reinforcement of desired behaviour.
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Maintain desired behaviour through practice.
Feedback for any behaviour that you wish to increase or decrease must be given within a second of the behaviour
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Use a reward marker “good” and a gentle no-reward marker “oops/whoops” as feedback.
Dogs are masters at reading body language
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Use hand signals along with verbal cue/cue/commands
Dogs can discriminate fine differences in their environment
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Train everywhere and with everyone
Benefits of reinforcement
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Positive reinforcement fosters confidence and trust.
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Positive reinforcement becomes associated with the person delivering it.
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Positive reinforcement is easy to give and to receive.
Problems with punishment
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Punishment can cause aggression.
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Punishment becomes associated with the person giving the punishment.
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Punishment has to be strong enough to be effective but without causing physical or psychological damage – a difficult and sensitive balance.
We love clicker training. Marker or Clicker Training gets amazingly quick results. Here are some links to get you started.
https://www.clickertraining.com/get-started
https://www.clickertraining.com/15tips
http://www.clickertraining.com/library
FDSA Free Puppy Book
https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/images/fdsa/Growing-Up-FDSA-eBook.pdf
Articles to Read
Why Cigarettes are More Addicting than Heroin and How It Applies to Dog Training:
Why “Choice” is the Critical Key to a Great Dog
https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/06/why-choice-is-the-critical-key-to-a-great-dog/
Its yer choice (IYC) - the long version of IYC with the red cattle dog mix. http://dogsthatlisten.com/tim/
Mouthing, Nipping and Biting in Puppies:
Teaching a dog to not Jump Up: https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/04/train-my-dog-not-to-jump-up
Dog Body Language and How They Communicate
Learn about how dogs communicate with each other and us - canine body language is very important!
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http://en.turid-rugaas.no/calming-signals---the-art-of-survival.html
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Watch this video on Dog Body Language: Understanding Dog Body Language - Learn how to read dogs behavior better
Other good resources for training:
https://drsophiayin.com/resources/dog_behavior/
https://susangarrettdogagility.com/