In all honesty, what does your dog mean for you? A friend, family member, partner, work tool, or command receiver? We assume that you chose between the first three options and enjoy sharing your life with your dog. In dog training, everyone has their own methods for a perfect result. Positive reinforcement should be the main factor in training – here are some major reasons why it’s crucial to use positive reinforcement to train dogs.
Reasons Why You Should Use Positive Reinforcement To Train Dogs
Cooperation Instead Of Difficulties
Using satisfying rewards will make your dog successful. Success motivates you and your dog so that you can both work better together. By observing the dog and getting to know its needs, you can use your dog’s motivation effectively for your training. Imagine your dog loves puddles, and you allow him to run through puddles. You come near a puddle. The best time to interrogate the “seat” signal. As soon as he is seated, you let him run through his beloved puddle as a reward.
Attachment Instead Of Insecurity
We wish for a deep and intimate bond with a friend, family member, or partner. Bond is created through the exchange of friendly behaviors between two social partners. Bonding requires security and trust, which means that the social partner must not become a threat to the other. Attachment creates the basis for curiosity and a healthy interest in the environment. By using positive reinforcement, you can build a good bond with the dog and thus help him to cope with stress.
Fun Instead Of Fight
Using satisfying rewards in training always creates a good mood – on both ends of the leash. You and your dog can have fun together. This increases creativity. The dog learns to try new problem-solving strategies because he is feeling good. The dog owner learns to use more creative reward options and thus frees himself from certain rewards. The ability to act feels excellent for humans and dogs.
Quality Of Life Instead Of Annoyance
Our pets generally have little influence on the satisfaction of needs. We determine the environment and give it food at a certain time, with dog contact, with play, with certain rules – but in most cases we determine everything. If starting today, you deal more with your dog’s needs, you can immediately improve his quality of life. Positive reinforcement gives you a different perspective on the world. You immediately focus on the successes and don’t wait for something to go wrong. Your empathy towards your dog will grow.
Reliability Instead Of Mistrust
Many dog owners maintain rituals in everyday life with their dogs. Before the whole family goes to bed, the dog is given a treat. A very well-known ritual – the bedtime delicacy. Rituals play an important role as they provide a framework for everyday life. That creates safety for the dog.
Conclusion
With positive reinforcement, the reinforced behavior occurs more and more and the non-reinforced behavior becomes less. For this to work, the reward must satisfy a need in the dog. You can always tell later whether that worked – by looking at your dog’s behavior.
