Dog training is the process of teaching skills or behaviors to a dog. This can include teaching a dog to respond to certain commands, or helping the dog learn coping skills for stressful environments. Dog training often includes operant conditioning, classical conditioning, or non-associative learning to achieve the dog performing a desired behavior or skill. A person who trains dogs is said to be a dog trainer.
There are many methods of dog training and many objectives, from basic obedience training to specialized areas including law enforcement, military, search and rescue, hunting, working with livestock, assistance to people with disabilities, entertainment, dog sports, detection dogs and protecting people or property.
As pack animals, wild dogs have natural instincts that favor cooperation with their fellow dogs. Many domestic dogs, either through instinct or breeding, can correctly interpret and respond to signals given by a human handler.
Contents |
There is much controversy about what is the most effective way to train a dog. Some dog trainers, such as Victoria Stilwell, are said to be 'positive trainers' as they mostly use positive reinforcement to elicit, motivate, and change behaviors. An opposing camp comes from 'traditional' trainers, such as William Koehler and Diane Baumann, encourage the use of punishment, often a physical stimulus used to regain the waning attention of the dog. Similarly, there are dominance trainers, such as Cesar Milan, who believe all animals have an innate desire to dominate others, and that this dominating behavior needs to be overcome by owner leadership.
In reality, many trainers use all quadrants of operant conditioning in their training, and so use both reinforcement and punishment throughout their training. [Source?]
Most dogs live with people who want them to behave in ways that make them pleasant to be around, keep them safe, and provides for the safety of other humans and pets. Dogs do not figure out basic obedience on their own. The fundamental rule that must be remembered is that one should never apply human standards of society onto the dog with the assumption that the dog will understand.
The hardest part of training is communicating with the dog in a humane way that the dog understands. However, the underlying principle of all communication is simple: reward desired behavior while ignoring or correcting undesired behavior.
Basic pet obedience training usually consists of teaching animals to behave on cue. Common behaviors are:
Corrections are a form of punishment.[1] Corrections can be physical (i.e. leash correction) or mental (i.e. withdrawing a reward). The dog's personality, the behavior, and the importance of the correct behavior should all be taken into account in using corrections with your dog. In a nutshell, negative corrections should only be used to eliminate a behavior and positive rewards to repeat a behavior.
Professional dog trainers train the dog's owner to train his or her dog. To be most effective, the owner must use and reinforce the techniques taught to the dog. Owners and dogs who attend class together have an opportunity to learn more about each other and how to work together under a trainer's guidance. Training is most effective if all those who handle the dog take part in the training to ensure consistent commands, methods, and enforcement. Classes also help socialize a dog to other people and dogs. Training classes are offered by many kennels, pet stores, and independent trainers.
Group classes may not be available until the puppy has completed all of its vaccinations (around 3 – 4 months of age). Some trainers offer puppy socialization classes in which puppies can enroll immediately after being placed in their permanent homes as long as disease risk is minimal and puppies have received initial vaccinations. In most cases, basic training classes accept only puppies who are at least 3 to 6 months old. It's recommended to start training as soon as the puppy comes into your home. Puppies may also be trained individually by the trainer visiting the dog's home beginning as early as 8 weeks.
A puppy requires discipline, consistency, and the patience of its owner. The puppy training phase is integral in raising a healthy and happy dog and keeping a safe and fun home environment.
Dogs are expressive and may communicate needs by biting, whining, and getting fidgety. Changing one's own conduct may be effective in changing a puppy's behavior.
House training is an important issue for puppies. Various methods of house training will work although the key is to be consistent. With regularly enforced rules, litter box, crate, or paper training can be successful.
This type of training is more complex and usually suitable for dogs who have completed level one (basic training) or an equivalent level of adult dog training classes.
This type of training is ideal for dogs that have an urgent or unique training problem such as fear, hyperactivity, aggression (and other related problems), separation anxiety, biting, excessive barking, insecurity, destructive behaviors, walking difficulties, and inappropriate elimination[2][3]. This type of training would normally be undertaken where the problem naturally occurs rather than a classroom situation.
Individualized puppy training can be effective in encouraging socialization and play with their peer group. Popular advocates of this theory include Victoria Stillwell[4] and Ian Dunbar[5].
Dogs are also trained for specific purposes, including:
Many companion animals exhibit a natural social system of territorial behavior and companion protection. Guard dogs receive specialized training in order to protect people or property and are not intended to be companion animals[6]. Training these dogs involves making sure they are able to both protect and be called off on a single command from their master and that they do not eat treats offered by unknown people.
The western method aka Koehler Method, developed by William Koehler, a military dog trainer and animal trainer for Walt Disney productions involves understanding the dog's Pattern of Learning and knowing how to shape, correct, and reinforce desired behaviors[7].
Two major styles used by dog trainers are Positive Reinforcement and Negative Reinforcement or Punishment[8].
The positive reinforcement practice is a basic operant conditioning technique that rewards dogs for responding accordingly to the trainer's commands. Rewards often come through food or verbal praise[9] or other types of positive reinforcers, such as a tug toy or ball, social interaction with other dogs, or the owner's attention. The more rewarding a dog finds a particular reinforcer, the more work he will do to obtain the reinforcer.
Some trainers go through a process of teaching a puppy to strongly desire a particular toy, in order to make the toy a more powerful positive reinforcer for good behavior. This process is called "building prey drive", and is commonly used in the training of Narcotics Detection and Police Service dogs. The goal is to produce a dog who will work independently for long periods of time, in the hopes of earning access to its special toy reward.
B.F. Skinner, responsible for the theoretical constructs of reinforcement and behaviorism, was partial to the benefits of positive reinforcement in providing a lasting change to behavior. [10]. Studies suggest that there is a link between the use of reward-based methods and obedience in pet dogs as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs[11].
This method also helps reduce the stress of veterinary procedures(Reinhardt et al., 1990; Turkkan, Ator, Brady, & Craven, 1990); and reduces fear and attention-seeking behavior in dogs[12].
One way that critics challenge Positive Reinforcement is on the grounds that it causes additional expenses to the owner and that the dog has the potential to become overweight due to overeating. However, trainers insist treats are used consistently during the initial stages of training but after a period of time rewards are given intermittently[15]. Positive reinforcement can also manipulate an animal to show both desirable and undesirable behavior depending on its experience[16]. For example, dogs who are fearful and shy to begin with, may equate hugging as a form of reward which may make them more shy and fearful in the process. Another major criticism is that reinforcements only become associated with the trainer, which will motivate the dog to act only when the trainer is around therefore effective results can only be achieved if everyone reinforces the dog's training; otherwise, training will be unsatisfactory and short-lived[17].
Negative reinforcement, a concept also referred to as dominance theory assumes that animals misbehave because they are striving for higher rank and the best way to change their undesirable behaviors is by applying force[18]. One of the leading advocates of dominance theory is Cesar Millan[19].
Studies show that punishment has its place in dog training when combined with positive reinforcement, such as rewards; and a majority of owners still use a combination of rewards and punishment when training their dogs. Punishment is often used for training dogs not to chew undesirable objects and to prevent dogs from stealing objects[20].
Behavior corrections are only effective when paired with teaching the dog desired performance and tend to be ineffective unless the dog is taught how to avoid the negative correction and achieve a reward for positive performance. Corrections should only be administered as appropriate for the dog's personality, age, experience and physical and emotional condition[21].
The concepts of "pack" and "dominance" originated in the 1940s and were later popularized by the Monks of New Skete in the 1970's[22]. The theory states that "dogs are wolves" essentially because they come from the same species and since wolves live in hierarchical packs where an alpha male rules over everyone else, then humans must dominate dogs in order to modify their behavior[23].
Recent studies have shown that wolves in the wild actually live in nuclear families where the father and mother are considered the pack leaders, and their offspring’s' status depends on their birth order which does not involve fighting to attain a higher rank, because the young wolves naturally follow their parents' lead[24].
Animal behaviorists assert that using dominance to modify a behavior can suppress a dog's aggression without addressing the underlying cause of the problem. This can exacerbate the problem and increase their fear, anxiety, and aggression[25]. Often, pets who are subjected to repeated threats may react with aggression not because they are trying to be dominant, but because they feel threatened and afraid.
Fundamentally, dog training is about communication. From the human perspective, the handler is communicating to the dog what behaviors are correct, desired, or preferred in different circumstances and what behaviors are undesirable.
A handler must understand communication from the dog. The dog can signal that he is unsure, confused, nervous, happy, excited, and so on. The emotional state of the dog is an important consideration in directing the training, as a dog that is stressed or distracted will not learn efficiently.
According to Learning Theory there are four important messages that the handler can send the dog:
Using consistent signals or words for these messages enables the dog to understand them more quickly.
It is important to note that the dog's reward is not the same as the reward marker. The reward marker is a signal that tells the dog that he has earned the reward. Rewards can be praise, treats, play, or anything that the dog finds rewarding. Failure to reward after the reward marker diminishes the value of the reward marker and makes training more difficult.
The meanings of the four signals are taught to the dog through repetition, so that he may form an association by classical conditioning so that the dog associates the punishment marker with the punishment itself. These messages may be communicated verbally or with nonverbal signals. Mechanical clickers are frequently used as a reward marker, as are the words "yes!" or "good!". The word "no!" is a common punishment marker. "Whoops!" is a common NRM. A KGS is commonly a repeated syllable (such as "g-g-g-g-g" or a drawn out word such as "gooooood".)
Hand signals and body language also play an important part in learning for dogs. Some sources contend that the most effective marker is the human voice.[26]
Dogs do not generalize commands easily. A command which may work indoors might be confusing out-of-doors or in a different situation. The command will need to be re-taught in each new situation. This is sometimes called "cross-contextualization", meaning the dog has to apply what's been learned to many different contexts.
Training a dog takes time and patience. However, with clear and consistent communications,[27] canines will begin to understand what their trainer wants fairly quickly. This corresponds to Animal Cognition- the mental capacity of non-human animals. The dog takes in odors, sights, and sounds to remember something it has been taught.
For example, when the trainer says “sit,” there should be a set tone and a hand motion. After the dog has experienced seeing and hearing this routinely, along with obtaining the muscle memory, the action of “sitting” becomes an image set in their minds. The next time the trainer says “sit” with the same tone and motion, the dog receives an image showing it the action and is, therefore, able to sit.
Clarity while demanding what a canine does is also of great importance. The dog associates the words the handler says with not only the tone, but also with the sound of the letters in each word. “Sit” ends with a strong “T,” while “Stay” ends with a drawn out vowel sound. The canine does not understand the difference between consonants and vowels, but the sound associated with the words, along with the handler’s tone, allows the dog to associate an auditory element to each command. In return, the canine is able to recall the commands due to the words’ unique connection to the dog's mental and auditory senses.
Many dog owners teach their dogs tricks. This serves several purposes. It develops a stronger relationship between the dog and human, it provides entertainment, and it engages the dog's mind, which can help to alleviate problems caused by boredom.
Some common tricks that dogs are trained to do are:
| Tool | Definition |
|---|---|
| Training Collar | Also called the slip collar, the training collar is a length of metal-link chain with a large circular ring on either end. The chain is slid through one of these rings and it is slid over the dog's head. When the dog displays an undesirable behavior the collar is snapped then released to get the dogs attention. This is primarily used in traditional dog training. |
| Prong Collar | The prong collar is made of metal links that fit together by connecting through long, blunt, teeth that point inward toward the dog’s neck. A section of this collar is made of a loop of chain links that tighten the collar when pulled, pinching the dog's neck. Its purpose is to mimic a corrective "bite" that another dog would give. The use of these collars is controversial and is opposed by animal rights groups such as PETA. This collar is mainly used in traditional dog training and does yield results. Some dog training organisations will not allow members to use them PAACT. |
| Pinch Collar | |
| Radio-controlled Collars | These consist of a radio receiver attached to the collar and a transmitter that the trainer holds. When triggered, the collar delivers an aversive. The specific aversives vary with different makes of collars. Some emit sounds, some vibrate, some release citronella or other aerosol sprays, some apply electrical stimulation. A few collars incorporate several of these. Of these, electrical stimulation is the most common and the most widely used. Early electrical collars provided only a single, high-level shock and were useful only to punish undesirable behavior.[28] Modern electrical collars are adjustable, allowing the trainer to match the stimulation level to the dog's sensitivity and temperament. They deliver a measured level of aversive stimulation that produces significant discomfort and startle without risk of producing permanent physical injury.[29] Lindsay finds these collars inappropriate for use as the initial or primary means for establishing basic obedience control.[30] Lindsay says that competent electronic training appears to promote positive social attachment, safety, and reward effects.[31] Many of the manufacturers realize that these collars can be used to treat aggression when used correctly. They specifically recommend against merely correcting the dog when he shows aggression. [32] |
| Martingale Collar | The martingale collar is a collar that has only a section on it that will tighten when pulled. It consists of the main collar piece, as well as a smaller chain or fabric loop where the leash attached. While they are now mainly used as a training collar, they were originally called Greyhound collars and used on breeds such as Sighthounds whose necks are as big around as their heads and can easily slip out of a flat buckle collar. The chain loop allows the collar to be loose and comfortable, but tightens if the dog attempts to back out of it. |
| Head Collar | The head collar is very similar to a halter on a horse. The theory it is that if you have control of the head, you have control of the body. The head collar generally consists of two loops, one behind the ears and the other over the nose. This tool makes it more difficult for the dog to pull on its leash. This is a management tool only, it does not train the dog not to pull. |
| No Pull Harness | The no-pull harness is worn on the body of the animal. The no-pull harness differs significantly from the standard harness since it makes it harder for the dog to pull because it distributes energy over the dog’s back and shoulders. The no-pull harness restricts the movement of the dog’s body when the dog pulls. Like the head collar, the no-pull harness does not teach the dog not to pull. It only makes it harder for the dog to pull. Harnesses are also used to train police dogs and offers resistance for the dog to pull on. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||