Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Advantages

There are many advantages to using positive reinforcement to train your dog. Positive reinforcement does take some time to work but the effort is well worth it to avoid damaging the relationship you have with your dog. If you have a new puppy you may find that he is ready and willing to respond to positive rewards. Older dogs may take a little longer to train using the positive reinforcement methods but if you can find something that you can reserve as a treat and that your dog loves you can use this positive reinforcement successfully.

If you are trying to train an older dog or even if you have a new puppy that is difficult to train, positive reinforcement will help you establish and maintain a affirmative relationship with your dog. Other dog training methods typically use punishment as a consequence to behavior which is unacceptable however this method also causes your dog to try to avoid you. If you have been using a method which involves punishment you may begin to notice your dog move away from you when you come close to him.

If you want to change your relationship with your dog to a more positive one plus teach him to obey as well then the positive reinforcement method is the best choice. Building a positive relationship is just one of the advantages to using this procedure.

Most dog training methods depend on perfect timing. For example, if you use punishment to train your dog, then you have to administer that punishment as soon as the dog disobeys. If you are too late or too early in administering the punishment, then your dog is not going to understand what you are trying to teach him.

Positive reinforcement works on a variable reward system that doesn't involve timing at all. For example, if your dog is trained using positive reinforcement he knows that certain behaviors are rewarded with a special treat. Even if you don't give him the treat every time, he knows that he will eventually get a treat for his good behavior. Most dog trainers recommend you only give treats occasionally for desired behaviors in order to avoid problems with treat dependence.

Another advantage of using positive reinforcement to train your dog is that you can begin as soon as you are ready. In fact, the sooner you begin training your dog, the better your results will be. Other methods that depend on punishment require that you wait until the dog is a certain age to begin, and by that time you could have already established a good rapport with you dog.

Letting your dog know which behaviors are acceptable through a reward system is not only the most effective way to teach your dog, but the most loving way. Teaching your dog isn't easy, but it can be fun and productive when you choose to use positive reinforcement.

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