Because training your dogs makes a difference!
In part one, we examined positive reinforcement and clicker dog training as two approaches to training your dog. In today’s post, we’ll navigate the four remaining methods to help you find a dog training solution that makes sense for you and your dog.
Dog training is as much a part of a dog’s health and wellness as their immunizations are! At The Vet Set, we’re here to support you in every part of the journey! Read more about dog training below!
Why is dog training so important?
You may have an amazing relationship with your dog at home, but it is about how they behave in different environments. A well-mannered dog is not only easier to handle, but it keeps everyone — including your dog — safe.
Dog training is relevant in just about every scenario and can manage things such as your dog darting into oncoming traffic, biting the mail person, and even another dog attack — dog training is imperative!
Additional Dog Training Methods
Dominance Dog Training (Alpha Dog)
This type of dog training calls in dogs innate pack mentality to cement the association of submission and dominance. The theory follows that a dog will see a family as the pack and follow the hierarchy accordingly.
Instead of an alpha dog, dominance needs to be established with a member of the family and they must learn to submit. It has been suggested that to establish dominant behaviors, doing things like eating first, entering and exiting rooms first, and walking your dog on a leash better projects confidence and authority.
In dominance training, dogs are not allowed on beds or furniture and you’re also never supposed to get down on the ground or meet your dog at eye level — you are in charge and should always remain above your dog.
While this is still a popular and common dog training method, research has come out that dogs do not rely on a pack mentality as once thought, and a natural pack in the wild functions much more differently than dogs in captivity.
Dominance training can address unwanted behaviors, but it fails to treat the bad behaviors at the core leaving dogs with fear and anxiety.
Scientific Dog Training
This type of dog training is a bit more vague, as there is not one method to identify. It incorporates a handful of training techniques such as operant conditioning and positive reinforcement, and strays from punishing bad behaviors.
Scientific training also likes to create an emphasis on the relationship the dog and the owner have, aiming to identify how that bond can be strengthened.
This training relies on always being current in new dog training methods and knowing more of the science behind it all to employ these new methods, which can be tedious and sometimes impractical for dog owners.
Stimulus Dog Training
This type of training implements a shock collar or spray bottle (stimulus) to punish bad behavior at a distance when a leash can’t be used.
Shock collars are used for dogs to stay within a boundary and correct the behavior of dogs dashing away, and they can also be used in hunting practice.
A spray bottle used in the same manner and requires constant monitoring from the owner. For example, perhaps you have a dog that jumps and lunges at people. You can use a squirt of water in their face to punish the behavior and hopefully quell their need to continue doing it.
Stimulus dog training has stirred up much controversy because not only does it rely on punishing bad behavior instead of rewards, but it can be stressful for dogs and lead to chronic anxiety in dogs.
And, if the devices are used by inexperienced owners, there is more of a chance that they’ll be overused.
This type of training is suggested to be used by professional trainers and not average dog owners to avoid any unnecessary and damaging pain in your dog.
Relationship-Based Dog Training
If you’re looking for a more individualized approach, relationship-based dog training is a great method. It incorporates a variety of dog training methods and puts the emphasis on you and your dog. It’s a type of training that is mutually beneficial and strengthens your bond and cultivates communication between you and your furry best friend.
For this training to be successful, It’s important for the owner to know their dog and what motivates them. Positive reinforcement is used to foster good behavior and to limit bad behavior, the dog’s environment is controlled as much as possible to reduce unwanted behaviors.
This may begin with teaching your dog to sit. First, it happens in a quiet room with no distractions and then gradually other distractions are added such as going to a noisy park or bringing other people into the room. If a dog becomes distracted, it’s up to the owner to discern why they’re being distracted. Is it because they can’t hear? Are they hurt? Or, are they just unwilling to perform the command?
This type of training only strengthens the bond between you and your dog and implements a series of different training methods to strengthen your relationship.
Training your dog not only makes life easier for both you and your dog, but it is a part of their wellness. Now you have information on different types of dog training to lead you towards an option that makes sense for you.
For more information on dog training or to schedule an appointment at our Carroll Gardens vet clinic, call us today!