All animals, including humans, can be trained to respond in a particular way to a particular stimulus.
Consider your reaction to a police siren, a bell, a stop sign. When you experience these stimuli you react in different ways but always in the way you were trained to behave to each stimulus. The siren is a signal to stop or get out of the way, a bell to pay attention or stop or start something, and a stop sign to stop. You were conditioned over time to react this way.
An American physician, William Twiteyer, observed that when he struck the front of a knee, a reflex “jerk” was produced in the leg. He then noted that the knee jerked as he seemed to touch it but didn’t. He is the first to have recognized a conditioned reflex. Ivan Pavlov, a Russian scientist, read this article and further investigated the matter. He, Pavlov, is best known for his research with dogs salivating at the sound of a metronome that came out of his research. The Behavioral Psychology and animal behavior movement was underway.
In Pavlov’s experiment, he played a metronome at the same time he presented the food. After a period of time, the dogs began to salivate upon hearing a metronome when no food was offered. Pavlov’s experiment showed that the response was due to conditioning.
Dog training is nothing more than conditioning. As a master in the relationship with our dogs, we need them to behave in the appropriate way in different scenarios. With good training we can ensure that our dogs are safe and do not bother other people or animals.
While the average suburban dog does not need the level of training of working dogs (farm, police, security, guide dog), it is important that the correct techniques are used for the animal.
How do you know what the correct technique is?
the first rule is that any technique that causes harm to the animal should be removed from your choices. Remember that injuries can be physical, psychological, or both.
the second rule it’s understanding that each animal is unique and what works for one dog may not work for another. Trainers who have a variety of tools and techniques available will usually get the best results. A flexible approach will allow you to easily transition to different training regimens for different dogs.
The third important rule is to ensure safety for you and your dog and any other spectators or dogs around at the time of training.
Initial training should be fun for both you and your dog. Make sure you have addressed the safety aspects of your training and you may need to wear protective gear if your dog has an unpredictable and volatile temperament or muzzle and leash him until you are sure he is safe to work with without such restrictions. Remember that they have sharp teeth and claws and that part of your training for them will be to prevent them from biting and scratching you; this behavior is mainly because they want to play with you.
Dogs, like most animals, react to trust, but you must be able to show this clearly, as the animal will pick up on the simulation almost immediately.
Start with the play and socialization of your puppy or immature dog (up to 6 months). More mature dogs will require a different approach because you will have to gain their trust at first, which can be difficult if they have had a bad history and are starting to live. If you’ve had the dog since he was a puppy but “let him run free,” you probably already trust him and can get into some basic training.
Mealtime is a great place to start. Dogs realize that you are the leader of the pack, and when they are fed, most will be ready to take your basic commands.
Make sure you have plenty of rewards while you train and know your commands, cues or clicks before starting a lesson.
Training programs and lesson plans are helpful and allow you to track and monitor results against plan. Tracking will quickly tell you what your animal is responding to and give you the opportunity to better manage your four-legged friend’s social life and growth.
I hope you will Get in with me and Me dog in a happy relationship and establish their View in having the best trained dog in your neighborhood.
Good luck and enjoy your work with your dog no matter their age, they love to learn.
PS – You can teach an old dog new tricks