Obedience is a very important element
in a dog's training.
There is a great deal to besaid about obedience training, much more
than the space here allows. However, I will address some important
points. As soon as the puppy arrives in it's new home, basictraining,
such as teaching the puppy what it is and is not allowed to do, should
begin.Teaching the puppy to sit on command and lie down on command
are two basic steps in the training process. The earlier this training
begins the better and it is importantthat the training is conducted
in a playful manner so that the puppy enjoys the training.If the training
becomes tedious, stop and continue at a later point. Giving an awardfor
achievement is also important. The nature of the award is an individual
choice. Some puppies respond to sweets, others to toys. It is also
important to establish a sense of leadership at an early stage.
Examples of leadership include teaching the dog to refrain from starting
to eat even while sitting beside a dish of food until you giveyour
permission, Another example is teaching the dog to let you take away
even the mostdelicious bone. After basic training has been completed
it is time to attend puppy development classes. This is of course
important for both the puppy and the owner,particularly if this is
the owner's first dog. At development class the foundationis laid
for future training. Socially the classes are beneficial for the puppy
wholearns to work as part of a group and not merely to play.
The owner also learns how the puppy reacts in different situations.
After the basic development class the ownerand puppy then move on
to higher level obedience training. The competition classes consist
of 1, 2, 3 and Elite. The above is an outline of the element of obedience.As
mentioned, there is a tremendous amount to be said on the subject
but I won't delve deeper into the subject at this point. The most
important aspect to remember is perhaps the element of fun involved
in training. The puppy/dog should enjoy the training experience, it
should not be routine and dull. It should be fun. Good luck!
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Leadership "is
buildt on a lot of trust"
Leadership is, to a great extent, built on trust. Animals
living in the wild and leading flocks or herds do not lead by fear.
This is something we humans can learn from.
While it is important to be the dog's leader it is just as important
to be a kind and secure leader, a leader who the dog loves and respects.
A dog should not be afraid of it's leader. Neither should it be too
submissive towards it's leader.
Should a dog be trained through firmness and dominance? Or should a
dog be trained with the help of awards and praise? Couldn't an award
be considered a bribe?
The old traditional methods have always proven successful, why change
them? Do you recognise these
arguments? Some trainers advocate firmness and authority as the best
road to ensuring a dog's obedience and certainly the method works, but
at what price?
The dog can become overly submissive and servile, something to be avoided
at all costs. It is the awarding of correctly completed tasks, and not
punishment for mistakes, which allows for successful training. It is
the positive experience of receiving an award for the completion of
a task which produces a successfully trained dog. Firmness and decisiveness
certainly results in increased respect but does not necessarily allow
for
learning.
The giving of awards allows a dog to learn something new. A titbit is
perhaps the best type of award given, if only because we humans often
find it difficult to praise verbally. A titbit ensures that the dog
is motivated, concentrated and eager. Referring to a titbit as a bribe
is incorrect. We have to question why the use of an
award in the form of a titbit is considered so negative in the area
of dog training.
Perhaps there is a problem differentiating between the terms learning
and performance.
A titbit has a calming effect and it is not possible to eat a titbit
if one is stressed or upset. Using titbits in training has a double
effect, that is, a motivating effect and a calming effect. Stress hinders
the dog's learning capacity. Basically, a titbit ensures the dog is
motivated, eager and calm.
What could be a better combination?
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