Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training
has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner
and a positive experience for the dog. Positive reinforcement
training is so important that it is the only method used to
train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in
circuses and in the movie and television industry. Proponents of
positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their
techniques, and it is true that the vast majority of dogs
respond well to these training methods.
One reason that positive reinforcement training is so effective
is that is uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected of it.
When the dog performs the desired behavior, he is provided with
a reward, most often in the form of a food treat, but it could
be a scratch behind the ears, a rub under the chin or a pat on
the head as well. The important thing is that the dog is
rewarded consistently for doing the right thing.
Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years,
but chances are some sort of reward training between humans and
dogs has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.
When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some
knowledge of the history of humans and dogs is very helpful. The
earliest dogs were probably wolf pups that were tamed and used
by early humans for protection from predators, as alarm systems
and later for guarding and herding livestock. It is possible
that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most
easily trained, or it is possible that these early dogs were
orphaned or abandoned wolf pups. Whatever their origin, there is
little doubt today that the vast variety of dogs we see today
have their origin in the humble wolf.
Wolf packs, like packs of wild dogs, operate on a strict pack
hierarchy. Since wolf and dog packs hunt as a group, this type
of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the
survival of the species. Every dog in the pack knows his or her
place in the pack, and except in the event of death or injury,
the hierarchy, once established, rarely changes.
Every dog, therefore, is hard wired by nature to look to the
pack leader for guidance. The basis of all good dog training,
including reward based training, is for the handler to set him
or herself up as the pack leader. The pack leader is more than
just the dominant dog, or the one who tells all the subordinates
what to do. More importantly, the pack leader provides
leadership and protection, and his or her leadership is vital to
the success and survival of the pack.
It is important for the dog to see itself as part of a pack, to
recognize the human as the leader of that pack, and to respect
his or her authority. Some dogs are much easier to dominate than
others. If you watch a group of puppies playing for a little
while, you will quickly recognize the dominant and submissive
personalities.
A dog with a more submissive personality will generally be
easier to train using positive reinforcement, since he or she
will not want to challenge the handler for leadership. Even
dominant dogs, however, respond very well to positive
reinforcement. There are, in fact, few dogs that do not respond
well to positive reinforcement, also known as reward training.
Positive reinforcement is also the best way to retrain a dog
that has behavior problems, especially one that has been abused
in the past. Getting the respect and trust of an abused dog can
be very difficult, and positive reinforcement is better than any
other training method at creating this important bond.
No matter what type of dog you are working with, chances are it
can be helped with positive reinforcement training methods.
Based training methods on respect and trust, rather than on
intimidation and fear, is the best way to get the most from any
dog.
