Puppies and dogs learn new things or change their behavior only if the undesirable behavior is punished or the desirable behavior rewarded. We can reward a dog for performing certain tasks on command, such as sitting, lying down, or coming, with simple petting, affection, and praise. You can also use rewards for coming when called, for sitting when strangers arrive at the door rather than jumping up on them, or for going to rest on his bed when people are visiting.
For rewards you can use reinforcement such as petting or verbal reassurance like saying "good dog." Another reward is food treats, if given judiciously, especially foods the puppy really enjoys such as a piece of meat. It is not our position that using food treats to train puppies "spoils" them, because the treat may simply be phased out by giving it less and less frequently, while retaining the praise and affection.
Most puppies learn rapidly and quite willingly if there are rewards, and in most cases punishment is not necessary. Praise and affection, along with food treats, can be used to house-train puppies, especially when they are taken outdoors and can eliminate in a desirable area.
Punishment can be thought of as being either interactive or remote. In interactive punishment, the owner hits an animal with his hand or with a rolled-up newspaper, shouts at it, or in other ways makes it obvious that an aversive stimulus is coming from the person. The animal clearly associates the unpleasant stimulus with the person giving it.
Unfortunately, dog owners are frequently misguided about how to use interactive punishment. Interactive punishment is indicated when owners must assert their dominance over dogs to maintain an acceptable dominant-subordinate relationship, especially when threatened. A dog's growling or snapping at you when it is not a reflection of fear is best met with force. Dogs are social animals that respond naturally to factors in a dominance hierarchy, and their growling or snapping at you is an indication that they have not completely accepted your dominant position. In fact, insufficient dominance, one of the most common behavioral problems of a dog-owner relationship, often stems from a lack of assertiveness on the owner's part.
Breeds differ in the degree to which they display a tendency to be dominant over their owners. The tendency to be dominant also varies with whether we are dealing with male or female dogs. A breed such as a Shetland Sheepdog, which is very low on tendency to be dominant, may never need to be confronted with interactive punishment, whereas a Doberman Pinscher or Akita may need periodic reinforcement of the dominance position with a sharp voice.
Whether the concern is to train your dog or impart an identity to it, dog collars and leashes play a crucial role. Dog collars come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, and are much of a fashion statement nowadays. A dog collar could be a lifesaver for your puppy if, God forbid, it disappears from your residence.
With such a wide variety of dog collars available, choosing the right one for your puppy can be quite intimidating. The collar should be selected based on your preferences and your puppy's habits. For a fairly obedient puppy, a soft fabric collar is quite appropriate. However, an obstinate puppy has to be controlled by a quick yank of a pronged collar. A dog trainer may assist you in making the correct choice of a dog collar for your faithful canine companion.
The buckle variety is the most common type of dog collar. A wide variety of fabric may be used to manufacture a buckle collar, bearing different colors and designs. Your puppy's name may be embroidered onto the collar for identification purposes. Buckle collar consists of a series of spaced holes, and the buckle is fastened to attain the required size.
Buckle collar is the most basic type, which can be enhanced to ensure added safety for the puppy. For instance, breakaway collars are designed to pull apart under extreme stress. Some collar types are equipped with release tabs that ensure a hasty removal of the collar, relative to the conventional buckle type. Such variations may help prevent your puppy from choking in unforeseen circumstances.
Another collar type is a prong collar, which is quite beneficial if your puppy is rather rigid and typically pulls hard while on lead. A prong collar has perpendicular metal prongs that are evenly spaced around the inside of the collar. Upon pulling the attached leash, the prongs prod your puppy's neck, thereby inhibiting its unruly behavior. The phrase "prong collar" does sound as something harmful for your canine. However, when used appropriately, prong collars never cause any injury to the puppy, and are much safer than even other types of dog collars.
Both Jane Saeman & Niall Cinneide are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jane Saeman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Movie Reviews, Music and Cooking Tips. Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed.A whole world awaits other dog lovers.Find out how at my website wh. Jane Saeman's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Niall Cinneide has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mothers Day, How to Train a Puppy and Bird Flu. Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about