TRAINING DOG IN BOISE

Dogs don’t care about money. They care about praise … and food. Positive reinforcement training uses praise and/or treats to reward your dog for doing something you want him to do.

Because the reward makes him more likely to repeat the behavior, positive reinforcement is one of your most powerful tools for shaping or changing your dog’s behavior.

Rewarding your dog for good behavior sounds pretty simple, and it is! But to practice the technique effectively, you need to follow some basic guidelines.

  1. Timing is everything
  2. Keep it short
  3. Consistency is key
  4. When to use positive reinforcement
  5. The bad: Be careful that you don’t inadvertently use positive reinforcement to reward unwanted behaviors. For example, if you let your dog outside every time he barks at a noise in the neighborhood, you’re giving him a reward (access to the yard) for behavior you want to discourage.
  6. Shaping behavior
  7. Types of rewards
  8. When to give treats

Check Out: These 5 Tips to Build Your Dog’s Attention Span

Sources: The Human Society of the United States