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Posted by: thing on 2010-03-08, 15:39:18
Just use your judgment. I'd say err on the side of softness at first, particularly when teaching obedience and commands. Most pups are eager to please (if forgetful and easily distracted), so just keep reminding the dog what it's supposed to do. If the dog does something wrong, assume that it doesn't understand what you're asking it to do and try to explain it again. It'll get distracted very easily so keep training sessions short and make sure it enjoys them. If your dog thinks of training time as confusing and all about being punished for no reason, it won't learn as fast as if it knows what's going on (because you show it how to respond to commands) and thinks of training time as fun. When you're training complicated tricks, break them down into little bits and practice each bit separately. You can train simple tricks or those little bits by either giving the command and showing the dog how to do something (eg say 'sit' and press on the dog to get it to sit and then treat it when it does) or giving the command when you notice the dog's about to do something, and then rewarding it (eg wait until your dog's about to bark, say 'speak' and reward- don't reward for barking when you don't give the commands). Basically if you want the dog to do something you use positive reinforcement, if you want the dog not to do something you use negative and positive depending on what it does. That's a gross over-simplification, but it's just a rule of thumb. Use the minimum amount of force required to make the dog do something. Obviously if the dog's chasing sheep and killing them that requires a much bigger punishment than if it's chewing slippers, because the dog can get shot for chasing sheep and because chasing sheep is more enjoyable in the first place so the dog might feel a mild punishment was worth it. If a simple verbal reprimand or a look will stop the dog doing something, then use that. Always try and figure out what the dog gets out of the bad behaviour and find another way to fill that need- if the dog needs something to chew and you don't give it anything it can chew, it will chew furniture. If your dog doesn't get enough exercise (mental and physical) it will probably act out. In those cases, while punishment is necessary, it won't be enough on its own because you haven't given the dog an appropriate way to fill those needs. Get a few dog training books out of the library or borrow them off friends, try out techniques and see what works. Above all be consistent, make sure the dog knows what's going on, and be patient. |
