Positive Dog Training

Positive Dog Training in Sydney

Eazy Dog Training offers positive dog training in Sydney. Positive dog training is not a scientific term. As a term, it can be confusing even for dog trainers. I am a positive dog trainer in Sydney. That means I use positive dog training methods when shaping a dog’s behaviour, positive reinforcement to be exact.
We use it in our human world too, all though we might not think about it. Did you receive a bonus at work? You were just positively reinforced. The positive reinforcement is an additional stimulus, very often known as a reward. It occurs after the behaviour that increases the likelihood of the behaviour to occur in the future. You would continue working hard to get another bonus, right?

For example food, toys, cuddles, attention, walk etc… But the type of reinforcer used depends on upon the individual and the situation. You need to know what it is that your dog values. Even when you are training the same dog, you might have to modify your training and the reinforcers you are using based on the progress of the training.

The biggest confusion seems to be about what is considered as positive training. Some owners confuse it with constant reward ending up with a dog who doesn’t obey without knowing that they will be rewarded. And only if the treat is visible. I’m training a dog like that right now.

Some people think that when using positive training methods, you’re not allowed to use any kind of correction. I myself find vocal correction as an essential tool for training. I was once asked by a trainer, who came 3rd in a world championship obedience competition ‘how can you be certain that your dog knows what to do if he never fails and you never need to correct him?’.

In short, positive reinforcement means that if you reward a behavior  you like, there is a better chance of that behavior happening again. When this is paired with negative punishment or using a vocal correction, these methods are a foundation of positive training

The pitfall of being positive

An important thing to realize is that positive reinforcement can also be a bad thing. Or to put it another way, it can be done in the wrong way.

For example, when children misbehave in a store, some parents give them extra attention or even buy them a toy to keep them quiet. Children quickly learn that by acting out, they can gain attention from the parent or even get things that they want.
Essentially, parents are reinforcing the unwanted behavior. This can easily happen with dogs too.

Correcting a dog

It’s the correction we need to think about. Negative punishment can be the removal or withholding of something the dog wants. For example, not giving attention when your dog is jumping on you.

Negative punishment is meant for a short period of time to redirect negative behaviour onto a wanted behaviour and to help a dog make right choices. It can be used to guide a dog to understand what we want from them.

Positive reinforcement rewards wanted behaviour.

It makes the training and learning more enjoyable for your dog, and will help to strengthen the bond between you and your dog. And rewards don’t have to be food. They can and should take many forms, you can use toys, favourite food, cuddles, praise or even a game.

The use of positive reinforcement methods has been universally endorsed by the behavioural scientific community at large as the most effective, long-lasting, humane and safest method in dog training.

If You have been looking for positive dog training in Sydney, look no further! Call me today 0493933613.