Basic Dog Training

To answer this question effectively we need to break it down into two parts.

Firstly, dog training is the process by which a human handler can teach a dog to understand and obey an instruction that is given to it. Please note that there is not any one correct method of dog training but today it is generally recommended that an approach is used which causes the least distress to the animal possible and employs no physical punishments. This philosophy is called positive dog training.

The second area we need to mention is the actual behaviours involved. Basic dog training is usually considered to consist of six trained behaviours namely, sit, down, stay, recall, close and heel.

Of the six commands, the simplest to teach is probably the sit.

The behaviours used in basic dog training are all actions that naturally occur in the life of the dog.  As we are not teaching the dog to do anything that is in any way new it must be realised that what we are rather aiming at is effective communication with the animal.  In order to achieve the same we need to be able to communicate some basic messages.  There are four of these messages employed in all dog training and if you master them you will be able to take your animal much further than basic training.

The Four Basic Training Messages

Reward Marker - Communicating to the dog that the behaviour is just performed was correct.  This tells the dog that has earned a reward

No Reward Marker -  This tells the dog that the behaviour is is performing is incorrect.  This is not a punishment marker.  It merely tells the dog to try something else.

Keep Going Signal - This is another correct behaviour marker but is subtly different to the reward marker.   This explains to the dog that the behaviour is correct but that they must keep doing it in order to earn a reward.

Punishment Marker - Communicates to the dog that its behaviour is incorrect and that is has earned punishment.

It really does not matter what signals or words are used to communicate these messages to the dog, so long as the methods employed are consistent.  Some trainers use command words, others use hand signals, some use whistles or other methods.

A common reward marker used by many trainers today, especially those involved in positive dog training, is a hand clicker.  This is a small metal or plastic device that when pressed issues that sharp clicking noise that is easily audible.  The advantages of clickers as a reward marker is primarily that they issue a uniform tone, as it can be difficult for a human being to avoid communicating other unintentional messages to the dog when using voice commands alone.

The most basic dog training class is one held for puppies.  Puppies are only able to attend a training class once they have completed their preliminary injections at an age of around 12 to 14 weeks.  These classes tend to be short and communicate only the most basic of behaviours, however they are of great assistance in the development of a well socialised and balanced dog. 

The importance of allowing a puppy to socialise and meet other animals and owners at an early age should not be underestimated.    Puppy training classes offer an opportunity for an inexperienced owner to gain valuable advice from a professional dog trainer and can help avoid many problems as the dog grows up as well as assisting in the development of appropriate behaviours such as house training. 

Any time spent in a puppy training class will reap dividends in later years of the dog's life.

Many people consider that a dog is a puppy until it reaches one year of age.  It is certainly the case that dogs lack stamina to make training fully effective until they are at least six months of age but that is not to say that a puppy is not trainable.  Puppy training should start from the moment the dog arrives in the household, it is just that the dogs concentration will increase as it ages.

Once the basic dog training behaviours are learnt and the owner has the ability to implement behavioural markers it is possible to teach a dog almost any behaviour at all.  The limits are really only that of the imagination and those limits are vast.

As I already mentioned once the dog and handler has attained familiarity with basic dog training methods they are ready to go on to much greater things.  Depending on the goals of the individual there are a number of options available and I will here detail a few.

Canine Good Citizen Programs

The Kennel Club of Great Britain and the American kennel club (AKC) both provide a training programme for dogs which is a kind of "good Citizen test".  The programs consist of a scaled series of dog behaviours centred around a series of awards.  The most basic award is for for puppy training and then the awards continue on into bronze, silver and gold awards.  A canine good Citizen gold award dog is one that is an absolute pleasure to own and it is well worth the effort to train a dog to this standard.

Competitive Dog Obedience

Some people enjoy the thrill of competition and competitive dog obedience will definitely provide this.  There is no doubt that winning a competition in a large arena in front of several thousand people watching an audience provides a large thrill.  Many people who complete a canine good Citizen program to gold standard with their animals go on to tryout in competitive dog obedience as it provides a further challenge.  Details of competitive dog obedience clubs and instruction can be gained from your local veterinary surgeon or dog club.

Dog Agility Training

For the more active amongst us dog agility training is a great, fun activity.  The idea is for a dog and handler to make their way around a series of obstacles against the clock without incurring any penalties due to missing them or performing them inaccurately.  It is a great form of aerobic exercise the dog and handler both.  Daily exercise is a large part of keeping any dog physically and mentally healthy.  Partaking in dog agility training will assist your relationship with your animal as well is improving the health and well-being of the pair of you.

Flyball

For those of us with dogs that are far more active than we are ourselves flyball still provides an active and exciting sport to assist in engaging with your animal.  The object of flyball is for a dog to make its way down a course and retrieve the ball that is ejected from a ball thrower and make its way back to the handler and over the starting line.  Flyball can be conducted as a solitary pursuit, but it is much more fun when a number of dogs and handlers formed teams and compete against each other.  It truly has an air of organised chaos!

And Finally

This list of canine activities is in no way exhaustive.  There are many more possibilities including cross-country running, scent tracking and defence dog and guard dog training work.  Once you and your dog have attained a basic standard of dog training ability many new and exciting options become available to you.

Basic dog training is relatively easy to accomplish and will give you many happy years with your pet.

If you want to learn more about dog training visit: http://dogtrainingadvice.co.uk