subject: Guiding Principles Of Basic Dog Training [print this page] If you're new to dog training or this is just the first dog you've tried to train on your own, it can be very difficult. It can be very frustrating trying to figure it all out for yourself. Luckily, there are really only a few guiding principles you need to learn in order to get a hang of everything else that the training process entails...
Consistency
You simply cannot do one thing one day and another thing the next. If stealing food off the table gets a whap on the nose, it has to always, always, always get a whap on the nose. The only exception is when you don't catch them doing it. Doing a trick should always result in a treat or a scratch behind the ears. It's all about consistency. You need to treat them the same day in, day out.
Negative and Positive Reinforcement
Training a dog should really be equal parts positive and negative reinforcement. Don't take it easy on them or neglect to reward them. You need both punishment and reward to raise a smart, emotionally healthy, obedient animal. Inconsistency, unbalanced training, they can both lead to the sort of dog we call a "spaz". If you want a smart, obedient, sensible dog, keep the training consistent and balanced.
Love Your Dog
Don't just be a drill sergeant, don't ONLY pet them when they do a trick. Take time to pet them and scratch them and play with them just for fun. If they love you and if they feel loved, they will try to make you happy. You want them to obey out of love and discipline, not out of fear. So take care of them, make them your best buddies, and the training process will be a lot easier than if you have an adversarial relationship with your pooch.
