Long gone are the days when trainers entered the arena with a whip, which flicked to urge the animals on. And rats are now taught to go through labyrinths using an electric current only as part of scientific experiments. These days, gentle training methods are held in high esteem and can be used to train service and pet dogs in different commands.
Instructions
Step 1
Set training goals for your dog and choose a training method. Modern trainers are able to make a superhero out of a service dog. Dogs are "trained" to detect suspicious substances, participate in rescue and search operations, and even capture terrorists by landing on rooftops from the air. It should be assumed that for a domestic puppy, all these "bells and whistles" are useless. But it is quite possible to teach him to bring slippers or a phone, to run for mail to the doorstep or some other wisdom. Choose a gentle training method that works for you. Among them are the imitative, taste-encouraging and clicker methods.
Step 2
The imitative method is best applied to young puppies. It consists in giving commands to several dogs at the same time, when there is already one trained dog among them. Most likely, you will need to join a breeders club so that your dog in a group of dogs can see how his competitors have mastered the skills and repeat the necessary actions after them. It is believed that this is the mildest method, which is suitable for simple commands such as "Voice!", Learning to pursue a goal. It is also worth considering that this method is good for sociable dogs who do not get lost in the company of their fellows.
Step 3
The gustatory method, as its name suggests, is based on feeding the dog a treat in response to the desired action. As a rule, pets are happy to participate in the training carried out in this way. And the developed conditioned reflex is formed in them for a long time. For a faster effect, you can conduct lessons at a time when it is time to feed the dog. Feeding is a positive reinforcement for the dog's desired action. And her absence is a negative reinforcement if the dog does not want to obey and do what they want from him.
Step 4
The clicker method requires a special device that makes a click. It allows, over time, to transfer work with a pet to such a level that food reinforcement is not required. If in the gustatory method the dog immediately receives a treat after performing an action, then at first he hears a click, which is then accompanied by the issuance of a treat or stroking. Pretty quickly, the dog begins to understand that clicking the clicker is a reward for his action. And in the future, you can use it on walks in order to control the training of the dog in the direction you need.
