Family should support dog training
Our dog listens selectively to the come command. This might not be entirely the dog’s fault. I spend considerable time doing training. My family likes to use the commands, but they do not spend time reinforcing the dog’s good behaviour. Is it possible to train a dog when not everyone is being supportive?
Dogs need to have clear and consistent expectations. It certainly helps when all family members put effort toward training goals. Undermining, whether intentionally or by mistake is unfair to the dog and certainly is unfair to other family members.
In an ideal world, a non-judgmental and productive family meeting would resolve the problem. An environment filled with consistent feedback would quickly solve the problem.
When family meetings fail to address the issue, it is still important that dogs learn a solid recall command. Coming when called is potentially a life-saving skill, giving owners the ability to call a dog away from a dangerous situation.
To counter the lack of family support, create a special recall command. Some people use a foreign language, others use a whistle. Do not share this command with people who will undermine its meaning.
Practise in a wide variety of reallife scenarios until the dog reliably comes when called. Family members can use the old, ineffective command. They will have inconsistent results. However, if an emergency arises, you know that you have that sacred command that means that the dog should drop what it is doing and come immediately.
Our dog only obeys if we have treats in our hand. When I ask her to sit, she often glances at me and ignores the request. Then if I reach for a treat, she obeys with military precision. How do we get our dog to obey without bribing her?
Rewards and bribes are two very different things. Dog training should reinforce good behaviour. It should not habitually bribe pets. While this might seem like semantics, bribes are an upfront gift used to influence someone.
Avoid asking for skills that are beyond the dog’s current skill level
Reinforcements, often called rewards, are good things that happen after the dog has done something correctly. Through repetition, the dog behaves correctly more often.
It is perfectly acceptable that dogs know food is available during the initial stages of training. Once they demonstrate that they understand expectations, treats should become reinforcements, coming after the dog obeys.
Strong technical training skills achieve this. Train the dog in situations where it has a chance to be successful. This allows owners to reach for rewards after the dog has obeyed. Avoid asking for skills that are beyond the dog’s current skill level. Repeated failure often causes owners to reach for a piece of food and then repeat the command. Dogs learn that ignoring commands is very profitable. Owners can also hide treats in various locations. Ask the dog to obey commands and reward them with an unexpected treat. This teaches dogs that good behaviour is rewarded, regardless of whether treats are visible. Remember that positive training is not simply treat training. Incorporate games and play into training sessions. Many dogs love fetch or tug as a reward for a job well done.
Finally, use real-life rewards. If you ask a dog to sit before opening the door, the dog is being “treated.” It may not be an edible reward. The opportunity to get outside, be it for a romp in the yard or a walk, is rewarding. Treats come in many forms, and owners should make use of all of them so as not to create a dog that only works when food is readily available. Yvette Van Veen is an animal behaviour consultant. Write her at advice@awesomedogs.ca