There are a lot of training methods a dog owner can choose from. You can choose what you think is the best and is most appropriate for you and your dog. Since training a dog does not necessarily mean that you’re only keeping your dog’s behavior in track, an owner will also be trained into practicing patience more often and being sensitive to what the dog’s needs are. Here are some of the training methods an owner can pick from.
Dominance training
The method heavily relies on the natural instinct of a dog as a member of a pack. He will create a relationship of submission and appropriate dominance that is applicable for certain situations. The basic theory of this method lies in a dog’s mindset of seeing his household as a pack. When he sees his family as his own pack, he’ll be educated with his hierarchy into it. With this mentality, a dog will be taught to respect his owner as his own alpha and submit to him. Projecting confidence, firmness, consistency and strength is some of the techniques used to train a dog with this method. For example, you can also communicate that you are the alpha when instead of giving in his “doggy charm” while asking for human food scraps, you discipline him that you get to eat first and that he needs to wait until you are done preparing his food. In summary, dominance training or “alpha training” means that you don’t stoop down to your dog’s level. You don’t allow him to sit on the furniture with you as this can send him a message that you’re equal to him.
Positive reinforcement
In this training method, you just simply reward a good behavior and it will be displayed more often. Bad or inappropriate behavior is ignored or rewards are taken back and removed. After achieving the desired result of a training, rewards are given immediately to communicate that the dog has done something good. This method requires consistency and the same set of commands and rewards are used. This method is ideal for teaching basic commands but not in correcting misdemeanors. Alpha training is more suitable for correcting a dog.
Clicker training
This training method is usually intertwined with positive reinforcement as this one signals or gives a signal that a reward is about to come for a job well done. Clicker training is ideal for new tricks and molding behaviors. But, in order for this training method to work, a dog has to be accustomed as to what a clicker sound means. Professional dog trainers opt to use this method alongside other training methods to achieve maximum reactivity.
Electronic training
This training process uses an electric collar that prompts an electric shock when a dog does not do something or performs inappropriately. For example, if you are limiting your dog’s mobility or if he shouldn’t go past your house’s line of property to avoid chaos with the neighborhood, this will inhibit him. Usually, these collars are used to punish an undesirable behavior. Average users tend to abuse this one and frightens the dog and creates a negative long-term effect on his psychological aspect.