We can’t imagine life without our dogs. Their unconditional love, their childlike playfulness, their uncanny ability to know just when we need a little extra TLC.
But then there are those other times… you know, when they jump on you, bark at your guests, react ferociously to the dog across the street. That’s when it’s a good thing they’re so cute, right? Many dog owners find themselves frustrated and helpless about what to do to correct these unwanted behaviors.
Whether you are just starting to teach a new puppy or dealing with problem behaviors later on, the first thing you must establish is an effective form of communication with your dog. Obedience training provides you with a way to better manage your dog’s day-to-day behaviors, as well as creating a way that you and your dog can communicate. This helps your dog learn exactly what is expected of him and helps him see where he fits in the pack structure in your household.
In our Obedience Training programs, we utilize Marker Training. Simply put, Marker Training lets the dog know the instant he does something correct. Conversely, it allows you to let the dog know the instant he does something that you don’t like.
Remember, dogs don’t speak the same language we do. Continually repeating a command “muddies the waters” so to speak. If your dog doesn’t know what “Sit” means and you keep repeating “Fido, sit!” one of two things is going on: 1) Fido has never completely learned the command, or 2) Fido has quickly learned that he can wait to sit on the tenth time that you say “Sit.”
Marker training allows dogs to form an association between their behavior and a consequence. If they sit, they get a reward. If they do not sit, the reward is withheld. They quickly learn that if they want the reward they need to do what we ask of them.
It is during the beginning stages of teaching a dog a command that we use something that motivates the dog, like food in a zero-distraction environment. It is crucial that distractions are added only after the dog has learned the command. This is why we do not recommend group training classes to learn new behaviors or for behavior modification. Not many untrained dogs can focus on their owners with ten other untrained dogs running around. The higher the distraction, the less learning takes place. You want your dog’s focus to be 100% on you.
When starting on the path of obedience training it is also important to remember that consistency is crucial. You must be consistent with the commands that are given and consistent with the consequences. For example, if you use “down” to get Fido to lie down in training, but then yell “Get down” at him when he is up on the sofa, you have just sent him a mixed signal. Essentially you told him to lie down on the sofa, which is exactly what you didn’t want! Be organized in your approach to training and designate individual words for each command.
Being consistent with consequences is equally as important. If Fluffy jumps all over you when you return home from a long day and you stop and pet her, you’ve just rewarded her for jumping on you. Then, when guests come over and Fluffy jumps all over them, you yell at her for doing so. You have rewarded Fluffy for jumping on you, then yelled when she jumped on your guests, again sending a mixed signal as to what exactly you expect of her. We want to reward the good behaviors and then teach Fluffy the appropriate way to great whoever walks through your door.
Obedience training is a fun way to improve your life together and greatly enhance the bond between you. Whether it’s a new puppy or an adult dog, it’s never too late to start training!
Bridget Murphy owns Koru K9 Dog Training + Rehabilitation with her husband Ray. They live in the Outer Richmond of San Francisco with their two German Shepherds, Luna and Nero. Bridget can be reached at 415-583-5412.
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