Picture for blog 7 Most Popular Techniques To Train Dogs | Pros & Cons

7 Most Popular Techniques To Train Dogs | Pros & Cons

Why Train Dogs?

In short the answer to this question is simple. Because dogs are intelligent creatures who want to learn, and in doing so they can become essential in our lives and the lives of others. Communication between humans and dogs is no longer a one-way street. With understanding comes trust, which builds confidence and results in the happy union of our two species.

How Dogs Learn

By knowing how dogs process information from the world around them, you can provide the right kind of dog training.  It's no use just picking a training method and running with it. You need to understand a dogs psychology.  Essentially you want to be able to manipulate or 'hack' the behaviours of the dog.

The main process that dogs will use to learn throughout their experience with humans is called conditioning. Scientists such as Ivan Pavlov have performed many experiments using behavioural conditioning. These methods can be divided up into two main categories;

1. Non-associative Learning

  • Habituation

For example, when a dog becomes overly excited at the sound of the postman dropping off the mail, he barks. However, if you were to start working from home and receiving daily postal deliveries, the dog becomes used to his presence and this lessons the excitement over time.

There is no reward or punishment associated with this stimulus; the dog is neither excited nor distressed.

  • Sensitisation

Sensitisation occurs when a dog is repeatedly exposed to a certain stimulus but becomes more responsive to it.

For example, if a dog has become desensitised to his trainer giving him the commmand to stop, the trainer could combine the command with a sharp sound, such as a loud rattle. This would surprise him and his reaction to the sound would make him stop. 

2. Associative Learning

  • Classical

Classical conditioning is responsible for involuntary biological responses.

For example, you give your dog a small serving of broccoli once a week. You let her eat straight out of a special bowl. When you first start using the bowl, she makes no connection between her tasty treat and the bowl. However, over time, she starts to recognise the bowl when you take it out of the cupboard and associates it with the broccoli she loves. She will involuntarily salivate, even though she hasn't seen or smelled the broccoli yet.

This is similar to Pavlov's dogs, who salivated when a bell was rung because they associated the sound with feeding.

  • Operant

Operant conditioning controls voluntary responses, such as teaching a dog to sit. The dog knows that a certain behaviour will result in a desirable response from you. The behaviour is voluntary in order to accomplish the end result.

This type of conditioning uses positive (reward based) and negative (aversive based) techniques which either add or take away a positive or negative stimulus.

Operant conditioning is divided into reinforcement and punishment.

 

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is when a dog is rewarded after performing correctly to a given stimulus.

Example
  1. You tell your dog to sit (stimulus).
  2. They sit (correct behaviour) so you give them a biscuit.
  3. Because the dog loves biscuit, he is more likely to repeat the action. 

For positive reinforcement to be effective, it's important that the link between the stimulus, behaviour and reward is apparent to the dog.

 

Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement is when a stimulus that the dog finds aversive is removed from his environment.

Example
  1. You grip the dog's collar firmly and signal for him to sit.
  2. Because the feeling of a tight collar is unpleasant, the dog sits in an attempt to relieve the pressure.
  3. You relieve the pressure as he sits.
  4. The dog associates the release of pressure when he sits and is more likely to repeat this action when his collar is touched.

 

Positive Punishment

Positive punishment is the presentation of an undesired consequence when the undesired behaviour is performed, with the object of either reducing or eliminating the behaviour.

The word 'positive' in this sense doesn't mean a good thing, but rather a mathematical term. By performing a positive punishment, you have 'added' something aversive to the dog's environment.

Example
  1. Your dog barks when your kids jump on the trampoline.
  2. You spray water when he barks.
  3. The dog finds the water spray aversive and is less likely to continue barking.

Training in this way is not advised. Often dogs are not able to make the connection between the action and the positive punishment, because the timing is less than perfect.

This is especially true for aggressive or nervous dogs. This type of training may lead the dog to shut down completely (learned helplessness) or end up biting their trainer. Many positive punishment techniques such as electric collars, hitting and yelling will do nothing more than breakdown your dog's trust in you.

 

Negative Punishment

Negative punishment is the removal of a stimulus that the dog would see as a reward. By removing the reward each time, the dog behaves in a certain way, you will decrease the chances that the dog will repeat the behaviour.

Example
  1. Your dog wants your attention so she jumps up on you.
  2. You ignore her until she has calmed down, thus removing (negative) the reward of your attention.
  3. This decreased the likelihood that she will repeat this behaviour.

Negative punishment is often used in conjunction with positive reinforcement. If we use the example of the jumping dog, once the dog is calm, you would then give her attention (reward). This is positive reinforcement, which will serve to reinforce the desired behaviour of not jumping up on you.

Summary

Positive Reinforcement
  • Positive reinforcement (in combination with negative punishment at times) has proven to be an extremely effective teaching method.
  • Your dog learns to make positive associations with the desired behaviour.
  • The affirmation the dog receives  from you (as well as the treat), builds their confidence and helps both the trainer and dog enjoy the overall experience.
Negative Reinforcement
  • Negative reinforcement is often used in conjunction with positive punishment.
  • These kinds of aversive techniques are unpleasant for the dog and should be avoided.
  • Incorrect use of dog training methods can have devastating repercussions, which prove difficult to rectify.

 

7 Types of Dog Training Techniques and Their Pros & Cons

1. The Koehler Method

* Disclaimer: Please note this is an informative blog post describing common dog training techniques. We are not endorsing the Koehler method.

This method has been tried and tested for decades and is still a popular dog training technique today.

It is based on the theory that a dog chooses its own course of action. So, a dog's behaviour is based on their learning experience. If the dog experiences a reward, he is likely to repeat the behaviour. If the experience results in a punishment, the dog is less likely to repeat the behaviour.

The Kohehler technique uses the positive reinforcement and positive punishment approach. Dick Koehler describes his technique as 'meeting the need for reliable off leash control with time proven techniques that are simple, affordable, and practical to use.'

Pros
Cons
  • A proven method over the years.
  • Many would say that this method is cruel, with punishments used such as electric shocks and choke chains.
  • Research indicates that realising that the dog chooses whether or not to perform an action based on consequences helps trainers to understand how dogs think.
  • The forms of punishment that Koehler first described have since been deemed excessive and inhumane.
  • Some trainers might still be using too much force based on a 50-year old understanding of a dog's psychology.
  • Trust will be broken between trainer and dog. They will see you as dangerous which can in turn cause physical injury to the dog and/or yourself.

Note:

One of the hallmarks of any serious dog trainer is the adaptation of new information. As in any knowledge-based field, it is absolutely vital to avoid dogmatism. Always keep current.

 

2. Dominance-Based Method

* Disclaimer: Please note this is an informative blog post describing common dog training techniques. We are not endorsing dominance-based training methods.

Dominance-based training utilises various physical actions to exert dominance over the dog when he is seen to be trying to be dominant over the human.  It's based pargely on positive punishment.

Examples

  • Choke chains
  • Breath control
  • Physical force such as pinning the dog to the ground (called 'alpha rolls')
  • Flooding in which a dog is exposed to an experience or object they don't like for prolonged period of time in order to desensitise them

The subject of dominance comes up time and time again, because for years it has been thought that dogs are like wolves and are organised hierarchically under one alpha dog who controls the pack. As it turns out, not even wolves have that kind of pack structure. 

Dominance-based training is based largely on old research.

 

Pros
Cons
  • Some research indicates that if flooding and other dominance-based training is done correctly (without one degree of fault), it can prove successful within a short pace of time.
  • This type of training is highly criticised and avoided by most professional dog trainers.

  • Physical force to display dominance is of no use because dogs do not work on this principle.
  • This approach can cause anxiety and fear which may progress to aggression.

 

 

3. Model-Rival Training

Model-rival training is based on the principle that a dog will perform the desired behaviour if there is a human or dog rival who performs the behaviour and seeks attention or reward in return.

Example

  • One dog fetches a toy when you give the cue 'fetch'.
  • The other dog watches this behaviour.
  • The dog retrieving acts as the 'model', demonstrating the desired behaviour.
  • He also acts as the 'rival' as he now gets to enjoy playing with the toy.

 

Pros
Cons
  • Research shows that this type of training has been found to have comparable success rates in a similar time frame as operant training.
  • This technique relies heavily  on a dogs social nature.
  • No physical force is used.
  • Your dog may simply not respond to the 'model'.
  • A high level of skill and repetition is required for dog trainers to successfully use this technique.

 

4. Relationship-Based Training

This form of dog training is based on patterns of communication and focusses on the interpretation and adjustment between dogs and their trainers.  It's essentially about having a trusting and cooperative relationship with your dog.

As the dog trainer, you need to be able to read your dog's body language, understanding what motivates them, using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviours.

Example

  • Your dog is barking at visitors.
  • Instead of shouting, you train her to lie in her bed when visitors arrive.
  • You use positive reinforcement techniques in a controlled environment (using familiar faces initially as 'visitors'), closely monitoring the dogs body language.
  • You reintroduce the dog to real visitors, using positive reinforcement to train her to lie in he bed.

 

Pros
Cons
  • This type of training can form an incredibly strong bond between trainer and dog.
  • This method may take a long time to develop.
  • It allows for a deeper understanding and level of communication in both human and dog.
  • It builds on the assumption that dog and trainer already have a good relationship.
  • No physical force is used.

 

5. Motivational Training

Motivational training relies on positive reinforcement only. Bad behaviour is simply ignored.

It uses the theory found in Thorndike's Law of Effect which is that behaviours that result in rewards will increase in frequency whilst behaviours that do not result in rewards will decrease in frequency.

Example

  • Reward your dog for desired behaviours using only positive reinforcement.
  • Treats, play, praise, cuddles, clapping.

 

Pros
Cons
  • Success rates are high because of the consistent rewards for desirable behaviour.
  • This process can be quite lengthy.
  • For stimuli out of our control, such as chasing birds, the reward for the dog is inherent in the action.
  • It can be difficult to discourage certain behaviours without using a form of positive punishment or negative reinforcement.

 

6. Clicker Training

Clicker training uses a small metal device that has a button that when pressed produces a 'click' sound.

This is a more precise form of positive reinforcement. When a desired behaviour is performed after a command has been given, the trainer uses the clicker and then follows the sound with a treat. Also known as mark and reward training.

Example

  • You command for your dog to sit.
  • As soon as the dog sits, you press the button and make a 'click' sound.
  • Immediately offer a treat.
  • Over time, remove the treat and use only the sound of the clicker when the dog sits.

 

Pros
Cons
  • The timing of the reward is more precise than using a reward alone, which results in a quicker learning time.
  • Trainers may have the tendency to use the clicker several times during one command, which can confuse the dog.
  • It allows for the removal of the treat, as the dog will associate the command with the click which it sees as the reward.
  • The dog may associate the click with something completely different in the environment than what you had in mind.
  • Consistency is key, so you need to take the clicker with you everywhere.

 

7. Scientific Training

This method is based on operant learning practices. Rewards are issued for desirable behaviour (positive reinforcement) and taken away for undesirable behaviours (negative reinforcement).

Scientists confirm that this type of training teaches the dog that desired behaviours with be rewarded and that undesirable behaviours gets them nowhere.

Example

  • You give the command for your dog to lie down.
  • Instead of giving a verbal command when your dog doesn't lay down, you withhold the reward.
  • You make it clear that the dog will only receive the reward when he lays down.

 

Pros
Cons
  • Using this method means that coercion and force are not required.
  • Consistency and timing are important to avoid confusion as to what is desirable/undesirable behaviour.
  • It is very popular amongst veterinarians and dog behaviourists as it is a humane way to train a dog.

 

Summary

No matter the style of training you choose to use, there are three characteristics that will make or break your training sessions.

1. Your Dogs Abilities
2. Communication
3. Timing

Timing is everything and should be at the forefront of your mind with any kind of training interaction.  A badly timed reward or punishment sends the dog mixed signals and leads to frustration for both you and your dog.

Interested in learning more essential dog training techniques?

Why not study a Certificate in Dog Behaviour and Training with Pet Courses. 

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